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Differences between models of expensive vs inexpensive DACs

For those who have tried many different DACs from very inexpensive to very expensive, do you find that the lower end DACs all sound similar in the same less than optimal way, or is it that the more expensive DACs all sound more similar in the correct way? In other words, are the better DACs starting to converge on the same good sound, or are they actually diverging more in their sonic presentation?  In recent times I've only worked with relatively inexpensive DACs and those all sound the same to me. 

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Showing 1 response by danager

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danager
880 posts
 

My journey with DACs has taken more than several years now and each step was an improvement in sound quality.

From Bluetooth into a inexpensive amp
Raspberry PI with a Allo Piano DAC and reclocker board
MHDT Orchid with multiple input devices

  • Chromecast Audio
  • Allo DigiOne
  • Dedicated computer USB 

and then tube rolling with the Orchid with the final being a 6922 NOS tube with adapter

I just purchased a PSAudio DirectStream DAC that I'm currently driving with the same USB input that I used for the Orchid.  I no longer believe that the DAC is the bottle neck in my system and I'm ready to look to upgrade other components to equal the DAC's capability.

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