IMO, it is possible for a processor to compete with, or even best, a $1K dac. But it gets expensive. Very. I use a Meridian G68 which, in its stock form, competes fairly well with SOME of the $1k dacs I've heard. But it's current MSRP is around $12K. Ouch.
IMO, my modded G68 bests several of the $1K dacs I've heard, but it has a custom power supply, a Superclock 4, new op amps, new internal wiring, WBT Nextgen connectors, about 10 pounds of custom RFI/EMI shielding, none of the inessential stock circuitry, and an aftermarket apodizing filter. And my G68 is fed by a reclocker with a second(!) Superclock 4. Add all that up and you get... I don't know what you get, but it's a lot to spend. And no, it's NOT worth all the trouble or expense, unless you NEED a digital crossover and room correction. And even then there are better solutions these days than spending upwards of $15K to solve these problems. Those solutions include both hardware (e.g., Trinnov) and software (i.e. computer) alternatives.
IMO, some of the posters have not given sufficient recognition to the value of room correction. When implemented well, room correction can greatly improve resolution, coherence, tonal balance, PRaT, and overall musicality. "Implemented well" is no small task either, as the auto-corrections in several of the processors I know are flawed, to put it politely. Personally I use a professional microphone and Room EQ Wizard to set the room correction filters on my G68. But getting that dialed in took months. Literally.
Just buying a $1K 2 channel dac would save you from plunging down the rabbit hole that I call home.
Again, IMO, IME, YMMV, etc.
Bryon
IMO, my modded G68 bests several of the $1K dacs I've heard, but it has a custom power supply, a Superclock 4, new op amps, new internal wiring, WBT Nextgen connectors, about 10 pounds of custom RFI/EMI shielding, none of the inessential stock circuitry, and an aftermarket apodizing filter. And my G68 is fed by a reclocker with a second(!) Superclock 4. Add all that up and you get... I don't know what you get, but it's a lot to spend. And no, it's NOT worth all the trouble or expense, unless you NEED a digital crossover and room correction. And even then there are better solutions these days than spending upwards of $15K to solve these problems. Those solutions include both hardware (e.g., Trinnov) and software (i.e. computer) alternatives.
IMO, some of the posters have not given sufficient recognition to the value of room correction. When implemented well, room correction can greatly improve resolution, coherence, tonal balance, PRaT, and overall musicality. "Implemented well" is no small task either, as the auto-corrections in several of the processors I know are flawed, to put it politely. Personally I use a professional microphone and Room EQ Wizard to set the room correction filters on my G68. But getting that dialed in took months. Literally.
Just buying a $1K 2 channel dac would save you from plunging down the rabbit hole that I call home.
Again, IMO, IME, YMMV, etc.
Bryon