The new dCS Varese DAC...it is so good that all others are now relegated to history??

@christopherp Can you tell us what the rest of the system consisted of when you heard the new dCS Varese stack..gear, room, music, etc??

I don't mind reviews from time to time about very expensive audio. I think it would be good, however, if the reviewer would at least nod to the readership that probably less than 1% of us will ever be able to afford this. Perhaps the reviewer could have mentioned trickle-down electronics into streamers that at least 10% of us might afford in the future. There were no nods in this review. When I was done with it I felt as though the reviewer was reviewing, from an affordability standard, a new NAD streamer. In other reviews I've read of ridiculously expensive equipment, the reviewers often nod to the super expensive price tag. 

Sometimes when I read about the equipment a reviewer has, including super-expensive substitute equipment, I wonder where they get all their money. Sometimes I wonder if a reviewer has to have a fortune to go into the business of reviewing. If they review $200K speakers, for example, they put a couple hundred thousand in front of the speakers. 

Part of the problem for me is that the $250,000 DCS streamer (if it was a streamer and not just a DAC) pretty much receives the same lauditory adjectives as a $15K streamer. Wide sound stage, great attack, all the normal compliments. 

Part of my bottom line for what I will purchase is if I leave the audition room for a half hour will I know if they've changed out the expensive component with something 1/2 its price or in case of the Varese 1/10 its price. 

In other words, as Bjork says, "Where is the line for you?" My wife would definitely ask me that. Anyway, without some sort of nod to me by the reviewer I feel left out by uber-expensive equipment that is out of the price range of everyone I know, and I live in LA among the "elites." One other problem I have with digital equipment is that it will never sound as good as my "modest" turntable with a decent cartridge.  

davyf, I can't say much, but would refer you to the article.  I'm pretty sure it's all in there.  I'll say it's a very good room to listen in.

audio-b-dog see a bit of logical problem with your way of thinking? What type of scoundrel spends 18K on speakers? So I guess 20K for a pair is right out of the question. You draw the line and let us know. 

And then daveyf comes in and gives him some support. Like feeding the neighborhood stray cat.

18K speakers will seem over the top and offend 99.8 % of people not in the hobby.

A 250K dac will seem over the top and offensive to 99.99 % percent.

The above argument is ridiculous. Get off your soap boxes sell your 18k speakers and feel good about yourself. You don’t get to decide what is acceptable to spend.