DAC's from the past, are any of them really worth much today?

Lots of DAC threads recently.  I agree, the better new cheap DACs are better than the esoteric from only a few years ago.  Much has been learned in the filters implementation. 

Based on my listening, all the Chinese mass-produced DACS are excellent and all sound almost the same. Splitting hairs. Just returned a Qutest as it is more detailed on only a couple tracks, but edgier than my JDS, Topping, Schiit, SMSL, and Sabaj DACs. 

I don't know what is different if you jump to the $4000 and up range or if you have access to true DSD or ultra high bit rate that actually has more information, not just the format. Almost all of my music is old enough to have been mastered on tape, so there is no such thing as highly detailed.  

The above is for just listening, If you want to get your microscope out and look for the tiniest of details, then you will find them.  I have a new test.  If I listen to a piece, walk out of the room and something is changed, or not, and I come back in, do I hear a difference reliably? If not, any difference is irrelevant.     If you goal is ultra perfection, audible or not, or bragging how much you paid, then none of this matters.  If I had to buy another DAC,

PS: Older DACS with only SPDIF rely on the host clock. Newer DACs with USB, if well done, use the DAC clocking which can be far more accurate.  A "good" DAC will have  a galvanic isolated USB to prevent any host or cable interference.  The Qutest does, as do the newer Schiits. 

cleeds,   

I don't listen to the "wrong material". I listen to what I like, not find music that shows of the kit.  I don't "train my ears" as some have suggested to find defects. A recording or mixing engineer would, but I want to enjoy music, not pick it apart. 

All of my music is Redbook.  I think I made it clear my analysis did not include true high bit rate original mastering. Don't have any. That may make a bigger difference though when demonstrated to me in stores, it did not. A 24 bit/192 remastered file of some worn out old tape or early digital is no better than a 16/44 as the detail is not there no matter how many bits you pad it with. 

Much of what I listen to preceded even Dolby A. 80 dB dynamic range about max on the masters, but likely less as the target was LP with only a 60 dB dynamic range.  Then mixed on boards that by todays standards would be bettered by a Berhringer semi-pro.  Even into the 80's boards were mostly NE5532's.  Then the first generations of digital. 14 bit Sony,  took a few years for the 18 and 24 mastering, as well as a big learning curve.  Adding the loudness wars where modern music has less than 60 dB dynamic range.  Let's not forget the pitch boxes.  Garbage in, garbage out even if you carry it in a gold plated bucket and wear rose colored glasses.  Fortunately that garbage can be totally involving music!

I do want to call out domestic small businesses that make the extra effort over chasing specs and actually listen to their products but don't add an ego price tax. Geselli, JDS, and Schiit for examples. There may be others.  They also provide support. Good luck getting that from China-Inc. 

Come on GHD, first generation CD players were not that bad.  Yes differences, but come on now. 

Most people would not consider an Yggy' as entry level. $2300 is real money.  A Modi ( $130 ) is entry level.  Maybe $5K is where a bigger step is, but I'll never have one to know. Listening to music is not only for the 1/2 or 1/2 of 1% income level.