Is it possible to find a good DAC for under $50, 000?

Kind of posted this as a joke. Most took it seriously. Interesting fact, in and of itself.

I'm pretty sure there are no noticeable differences above a fairly modest price point.

And, for any who claims they can hear a difference, I'd want to see proof that every other choke point in the system had been worked out – room, amps, everything.

But most do not go to that trouble before pronouncing on differences that they could not notice.

Without controlling variables of a certain magnitude, the differences people report are really them expressing their love for their own opinion.

I don't doubt reviewer is hearing exactly what he claims, he has access to far more equipment at all price levels than any of us, and he can evaluate all these components at his leisure in an optimized system and room. The issues he's speaking to are not going to be of great consequence in lesser systems, money probably better spent elsewhere.

Exactly my point. The question this leaves me with is, Who is he reviewing for if most people wouldn't be able to tell a difference at this price point? 

@sns  He’s speaking to the well heeled audiophile and non audiophile, also to those who aspire to have the very best....Over time, if there i truly is new technology at work here, it will eventually trickle down into the more affordable category. So unless you believe audio hasn’t progressed, this is how it works.

Gotcha. I do believe audio has progressed, and I suspect DACs have gotten a lot better, relatively recently.

Let me clarify my point a bit so that my target is a bit more in focus, and then agree with you in two different ways.

First, my point is that if there is a difference to be heard at this price point, anyone who listens to it (however well-heeled they are) has to have a room dialed in so that it can be heard. I guess I have not come across very many audiophile rooms that are dialed in (room, gear, etc.) to the point where the difference between a $50k DAC and a $20k DAC would be perceptible. But I grant your point that they’re out there. (Oh, and a well-heeled audiophile would also have to be disciplined enough to avoid confirmation bias, placebo effect, in addition to having a dialed-in room. So, probably even fewer of those out there. Still, they exist.)

Your second point about trickle down technology is excellent. If what is needed for technology to progress is for engineers to reach way beyond current budgets to make improvements, then this is how it will happen. 

My only caveat to the latter point is this: sometimes companies and their engineers go on wild goose chases – spending a lot of money and time on something which does *not* result in clearly better results. The problem is, with for-profit companies, they often do not want to disclose that (to try to recoup some costs) and proceed to hype it and sell it as if it was a success. (That’s where compliant journalism and helpful algorithms come in.)

In such cases of hyped failures, there's no trickle down and, one might even argue, there is a backlash effect that makes people skeptical about the whole audiophile venture. Only journalists (or some kind of regulatory agency, LOL) willing to call B.S. on meaningless products can help the public see that.

@mgrif104 

Yet, the new unit is better in every way. It’s not my imagination. Nor is it confirmation bias at work...My rooms are not heavily treated though I’m attentive to network details and have done what I can on setup. But, yes you can hear the benefits of better DACs. 

Thanks for your report. You sound like a careful and sensitive listener. Your report provides a strong data point against my skeptical remarks. Appreciated.

What a thread. 

It’s gotten a lot of discussion going, including your comment. Must be something interesting going on here.

You see, it’s not just about bashing. It’s about whether there is a point at which sensible effects cannot be discerned. At that point, it becomes either an exercise in confirmation bias and/or faith.

People are interested in the qualities that these components are able to produce and – here’s a defense of those "bashing" the DAC – their skepticism is not coming from a place of abject ignorance but from a desire for some evidence that something could be discerned at these higher price points. Perhaps you’re someone who can hear the differences. That’s cool. I’d love to know what you were able to hear and the affiliated equipment, conditions, etc. Otherwise, you're just bashing the bashers. We live in a consumerist culture; there's a lot of false claims and hyperbole out there. I think some of us are a bit less credulous than others.

Just for fun....

Facts as I know things:

1) people value things differently; sometimes, they think they are valuing something based on a what they would consider a good reason, and sometimes they fool themselves. This often leads to them chasing their own tail, wasting money (which they may not be intending to do), and avoiding improving other aspects of their system that would lead to sonic improvements that they desire.

2) people spend on things they value and can afford but sometimes they waste their money on things they think they value but are wrong about it. If I buy a beautiful car because I value how it looks, but it breaks down once a week, I have made a mistake.

3) people satisfy base level needs (food) before higher level stuff (stereo) – probably good to check with people who have gotten divorced over audio.