Is there any such thing as a bad sounding DAC these days?

@markwd 

Interesting chart. Thank you.

I think I get your point. In comparison to ten or twenty years ago, most DACs sound much better. There were some truly hideous sounding DACs back then.

Now, each level up sounds better... absolutely. Every step in increased price in major DAC lines nets much better sound.

Then there is a question of does the sound characteristics match your tastes. Like for me, a Benchmark or dCS DAC is not even close to a sound I want for music and however Audio Research or Berkely is. But I can’t really say any of them are bad.

I can’t believe there are not some really inexpensive DACs that don’t still sound bad. But I don’t have any now, and can’t think of any reason I would audition any.