Is there such a thing as a FOREVER DAC/streamer?


I know I might be talking about rehab in a back alley, but here it goes.

I've been looking to upgrade my Hegel H390's internal DAC. But I would only do it to knock it out of the park; as the Hegel's internal DAC does an admirable job. So the question is, is there such a thing as an end game-forever DAC. At the end of the day, DAC is a digital product. Digital technology evolve quicker than analog technology. 

Will that Lumin X1, Bartok, Dave, etc be obsolete in 3 years? Thus making this a moot conversation...

gpixels

Folks are at different points and places within this hobby. Let’s be more accepting and open...

A phone - Audioquest Cobalt (or equivalent) as streamer/DAC is not at all bad and an elegant solution for most who are listening to and enjoying their music.

+1 @donroth

Yeah the DAC we build.  30 pound separate power supply, 101D direct heated triode tubes, point-to-point wired, V-Capacitors, Audio Note resistors, Nichicon capacitors, AC filter chokes, R2R, etc.  Probably not one DAC manufacturer uses any of the parts in their DAC.  Reference sound that very few people have heard.

 

Happy Listening.

I would ask is there such a thing as a "forever" satisfied audiophile. I was watching a video on youtube about dacs by Thomas and he used the phrase "good enough". Although some dacs might provide more air, more bass, more this or that he described reaching a point that it doesn't matter because the sound you have now is so satisfying it is good enough. So in that case I say YES, there is a forever DAC and when you find it, just keep it. 

I would say that for those 75 or older, a DAC bought today would likely be FOREVER.  Below that age it will become outdated.