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


Apparently, the good folks at The Absolute Sound have you covered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nItR8Z6CCWE

(Audiophiles are never going to shed their out of touch reputation with journalism like this. I'm sorry, but it's just so tone deaf.)

hilde45

under $50k usd Wadax Studio Player hard to beat....

https://landing.wadax.eu/studio-player/

review by Robert Harley

but truthfully there are plenty of ’good’ dacs under $50k, even well under $50k. but at around $50k up to much more the new Wadax sets the performance bar very high. and it is a stand alone dac plus transport plus streamer plus will feed your amps directly as it has a volume control.

 

Thanks @hilde45, 

Knowledgable guy.  I rarely make it through an entire video but did in this case!

Pretty also! (the DAC) :)

Thanks for the post.  I am familiar with his analysis of issues with digital soundings from other reviews and agree with his position.  Of the many reviewers out therr, I trust his ears. Remember, there is the law of limiting  returns and the benefit/cost ratio becomes smaller as price increases. He speaks of the Tidal as a large increase in benefit. I will have to hear that myself.   My position is that there are many low priced d DACs that can get you close.  Is close good enough is as personal decision.