Parts obsolescence and DAC evolution
Having spent a career in aerospace, I've been thinking about how parts obsolescence forces manufacturers to adapt. And I'm wondering whether some of these "updates", which are driven purely by certain chips going obsolete in the supply chain, might better be described as technical adaptations, marketed as product improvements.
In other words, if a manufacturer has been building DACs using a specific parts list and one or more of those parts go obsolete, then they'll be forced to adapt. This will require changes to power supplies, software, etc. But is the new product better, from the standpoint of the listener? Or is it simply different?
Part of the reason I'm raising this question is because I feel like I'm on the verge of purchasing a DAC but have mixed feelings about it based on what I read on this forum. I've used a Naim CD 3.5 for many years and have now moved over to a using a Fostex CD player/burner into a DACMagic. I *think* the Fostex/DAC is somewhat more resolving. Can it be improved? From what I read here, most definately.
So I'm NOT saying that newer DACs aren't better. I'm just wondering if - given that the hifi industry is comparatively small - whether the product evolution we see in the market place is primarily driven by the need to accommodate changes in the chips because the old ones are no longer available.
What do you think?
In other words, if a manufacturer has been building DACs using a specific parts list and one or more of those parts go obsolete, then they'll be forced to adapt. This will require changes to power supplies, software, etc. But is the new product better, from the standpoint of the listener? Or is it simply different?
Part of the reason I'm raising this question is because I feel like I'm on the verge of purchasing a DAC but have mixed feelings about it based on what I read on this forum. I've used a Naim CD 3.5 for many years and have now moved over to a using a Fostex CD player/burner into a DACMagic. I *think* the Fostex/DAC is somewhat more resolving. Can it be improved? From what I read here, most definately.
So I'm NOT saying that newer DACs aren't better. I'm just wondering if - given that the hifi industry is comparatively small - whether the product evolution we see in the market place is primarily driven by the need to accommodate changes in the chips because the old ones are no longer available.
What do you think?
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