The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype

@partslinger you’re welcome and good luck!

@niodari

After a quite long time experience with DACs of different categories and prices I’m convinced that they make minor changes in overall sound reproduction and quality. I suggest all of them use similar kind the conversion methods, whereas the hardware perhaps doesn’t matter so much. I cannot explain more technically why this happens but I am convinced about the outcomes.

... And, with all due respect, those of us who’ve experienced significant differences are just as "convinced".

@stuartk    We are talking about the importance of a DAC compared to the other components of a system, comparing the impact of a descent DAC on a system. An impact of an amplifier or a speaker on the SQ of the system is drastic . All modern decent  DACs reproduce the digital recording more or less in a similar fashion. The  quality  of a particular recording affects the overall SQ much more than a particular DAC: Take a well recorded CD and paly it on an inexpensive DAC (with cost < $1K), and take then a little worse recording and play it an a $15k DAC. The first option will give you a better SQ. Of course, if you  "invest" your money on an expensive DAC you should be convinced that you made a good investment. 

This dude ignores that there is an analogue amp in every DAC. 
he can’t hear or has not bothered to on any worthwhile audio gear. 
 

dumb begets dumb. 

@niodari

Of course, amplifier and speakers have a greater effect.

I would have to hear a demonstration of what you consider to be "more or less similar fashion".

For me, tonality and musicality are first and foremost and in terms of these factors, I’ve heard fairly dramatic differences in presentation that are most definitely not adequately described as "more or less similar". Variations in recording equality are another variable in the equation. I’m talking about what the DAC itself contributes, all other things being equal.