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?
rufusluna

Showing 1 response by mid-fi-crisis

A lot of brands have an option for the rich guy who just wants an expensive elite item. That buyer actually wants it to be expensive.

On a positive note, paying more might make you appreciate the item more. Much like buying a new LP when you were young... They were expensive to you so you really took care of them and listened intently. You cherished them. If they were 1 cent each it wouldn’t be the same, even though the music was the same.