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Just wondering...

Sorry about the poor choice for the title but I just couldn’t compress my question into only a few words. I’ve been watching A’gon to find a good deal for a decent DAC in the $1K price range to improve my CD listening experience. As I look through the listings, I see DACs priced in tens of thousands - saw a Boulder 2020 with retail price of $32K listed for $15K. Probably an awesome bargain for somebody. To some degree I can understand speakers selling for crazy prices partly justified by their sound as well as their "furniture" value. I’m also sure a $20K pair of speakers will still sound incredible ten years from now. I can even sort of get amplifiers being a little crazy in price but they seem to last forever, at least technology-wise. I’m still loving my 35 year old McIntosh amp but can’t imagine using the same DAC even three or five years from now. What am I missing? Can a $32K DAC sound that different from a $1K DAC?

kalali

Showing 1 response by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,634 posts
 
Does not cost anywhere near $32K to make a great sounding DAC.

Some of the most highly regarded ones like Benchmark for example cost $1000 or so.

I have an mhdt DAC that is very competitive I picked up for $300 used.

So what do you get for teh extra $$$s?

Good question.

I’ve heard very expensive DCS DACs used in 6 digit systems that were very good indeed but could not say they were really much if any better than the ones most people who care about good sound use. I do not feel I am missing much if anything of real value by not having one.

But like most boutique items its a value judgement and I'm sure some with the $$$s to spend will find their value in pricier DACs to go along with all the rest.

IS Donald Trumps DAC gold plated for example?
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