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What is the average life expectancy of a DAC?

Hello folks, 

With the recent profusion of relatively inexpensive DACs that are now available, I'm wondering what the average life expectancy of a good DAC is? Or, to put it another way, is it cost-effective to invest in a high(ish) end DAC like a Denafrips Terminator or a Halo May with the expectation that it will last at least 5 or more years?

Thanks!  
aamiransari

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,711 posts
 
My JVC QL-Y55F turntable is 40 years old and still performs as new.

Is your cartridge 40 years old? 

big_greg
6,711 posts
 
Just curious how everyone thinks about FPGA systems like the PS Audio Direct Stream versus chip based D/A systems. Does the ability to modify the system via a software update give FPGA systems a longer significant lifetime and therefore do they warrant a higher used price?

I like the fact that my Aqua La Voce S3 is designed to be upgradeable, but I bought it for how it sounds today, not in the future.  I bought mine 2nd hand for about 60% of retail, so I wouldn't say it commands a higher than average used price. 

I'm a little disappointed that it sounds exactly like a $100 Chinese DAC, but it's big and exotic and somewhat expensive, so it has boosted my fragile self-esteem.





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