How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?
Having spun an Oppo 105 for many years on its own before adding a Schiit Gungnir (bought for a generous steal from a wonderful seller here), I was immediately struck with how much more presence and detail the Schiit added to the Oppo's presentation.
That Gungnir, even new, pales in comparison pricewise with 4 and 5 figure DACs I see for sale here.
So what do those much more expensive DACS do for sound? I mean, how much more information can be dug out of the digital files? Is it akin to what a good phono stage can do for a cartridge?
Showing 5 responses by curtdr
@rolox +1 |
@audiom3 +1 "I suspect they'll sound closer to one another than their cost difference suggests." |
and then there's this, too: a central component like a new Technics integrated, say the su-r1000 if you have the cash, or an Accuphase with the dac module, and don't add more "stuff" to your chain. The Marantz Ruby sacd player / dac unit also sports fine dacs, and thus does double duty, if your amp is analogue. but, I know people on this forum have fun playing around with "separates" ... but dac diminishing returns is hard and real. usually "better" is really just "different"... and even then the differences are usually subtle. swapping out dacs can lead one on an endless rabbit hole with no final bottom, but again I acknowledge that's technophile fun and fine as long as it doesn't detract from a musicphile goal of enjoyment of music (if one is actually a musicphile, and if not well then have at the tech chase and enjoy the trip). |
@brisketman1 ++ 1 "This is a rich man site where people think buzz words and price tags rule. Most people can’t find a place to hear these brands, much less afford them and are ridiculed for not selling the farm to get a “better” something in their system. Thinking rich people have better ears is like the emperor’s new clothes. Buy steak, not sizzle and you can enjoy the music for the music rather than sit with a frown on your face because you THINK you could do better. " |