Great interview with Ed Meitner.
https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/the-audio-vault/analog-playback/cartridges/124328-ed-meitner-on-optical-cartridge-interfaces-dacs-etc
The problem arises from the chip manufacturers. They have the technology to build a fabulous 'for audio' chip, but it would be expensive. Since mass production leads to profits, and there is no mass in high end audio, they don't bother.
You can perfect everything around a chip, but if the chip is a pigs ear, that's your ceiling.
As Audiophiles, we lose.
The problem arises from the chip manufacturers. They have the technology to build a fabulous 'for audio' chip, but it would be expensive. Since mass production leads to profits, and there is no mass in high end audio, they don't bother.
You can perfect everything around a chip, but if the chip is a pigs ear, that's your ceiling.
As Audiophiles, we lose.