Swanny I would think twice about knocking NOS DACs. The DAC in my $15k system uses "cheapo" 16-bit chips as well.
As for the PSX, I happen to find the sound very pleasing, and I do think it's a matter of taste. Some may find it soft, round, and lacking detail, but there are many good and expensive CDPs, DACs, speakers, amps, preamps, etc. that could be recognized as such. I suspect if I listened to the CDP of somebody who thinks the PSX is a 3/10 I would probably find his system to be bright, hard, and thin.
And speaking from experience, mods can make a tremendous difference with this unit and add a LOT of extension.
As for the PSX, I happen to find the sound very pleasing, and I do think it's a matter of taste. Some may find it soft, round, and lacking detail, but there are many good and expensive CDPs, DACs, speakers, amps, preamps, etc. that could be recognized as such. I suspect if I listened to the CDP of somebody who thinks the PSX is a 3/10 I would probably find his system to be bright, hard, and thin.
And speaking from experience, mods can make a tremendous difference with this unit and add a LOT of extension.