In reading this post and the responses it garnered it brings to mind a question I've had for a while. What metrics can a buyer look at for DAC purchases? What makes a 25k DAC better than 10K better than a 3k better than a 1k DAC? With other products such as speakers or amps we can look at measurements or build or a variety of factors to justify or dismiss the cost of a product. What can the purchaser look to to say "this makes it worth this" ?
PS audio new 25K dac and the psychological effect of owning a company's best.
I was purchasing some hi-res files from NativeDSD today and found mention of PS Audio’s Obsidian Ted Smith Signature Dac ($25K) in their compatibility excel table scheduled to be released in 2021. I am the owner of their Direct stream DAC and DSD memory player and I immediately thought that I would never spend 25K on a DAC. I also thought that now I can have their best so why to stay with the brand. This might be my personal bias but I was wondering if this has an effect on anyone else. Is owning the top-of-line of any brand important to you and would you leave a brand if you were priced out of the market?