Do hi-end DACs offer true value or diminishing return...


These two hi-fedelity recordings posted on Youtube allow one to audition the state-of-the-art, highly raved R2R DACs with values ranging from $850 all the way to $6,500. Please use headphone or, play back to your stereo system if you think your system is revealing enough. The question to ask to yourself is that the true hi-end (w/ high price tag) gears offer you true values or just a diminishing-return foolproof. In my system, I do hear the differences but, to me, the differences might not be that significant to justify the luxious spending. Maybe my system is not revealing enough.  Maybe the recording quality through the on-line broadcasting degrades.  How about you? Do you hear major differences? 

Terminator Plus ($6.5k), Venus II ($3k)

Terminator $4.5k, Ares II ($850)

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Showing 3 responses by noske

@jasonbourne52 The higher the price the more confirmation bias is in play!

Careful now. You may get banned for using long words or introducing concepts that may require reading/research.

If you seek an R2R DAC, I know that the Denafrips Ares spits out pretty respectable test measurements. As does the Holo Audio DAC, which is eye candy, too.

Terminator has some engineering enhancements compared with Ares. So, toss-up between Terminator and Holo I reckon.

Yes, you will hear a difference.  I know this, for reasons.

This is about R2R DACs only.

There is also the Venus II.  I don't think I've seen it mentioned.