The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype

You have been on ASR review web site  again .

totally disagree starting from the router ,the wall wart garbage has to go just ads more noise , I bought a LTA LPS power supply ,and a decent $600 Ethernet switch ,decent power cords , and quality Ethernet cables, USB , and I2S cables 

Everything counts . The Terminator15  dac is very good and resolving 

and my new Swiss Merason Dac 1-MK2. Is probably one of the most analog sounding dacs out there ,both dacs are far better then Anything under $5k. Having heard literally over 100 dacs over 20 years  technology in digital has Greatly advanced. $5k on up is A respectable reference point To start ,this is just from my experiences and IMO.

I don’t believe hype and I don’t believe reviewers either. I just listen to different devices and decide for myself.

The idea that the DAC sound is the primary determinant of the sound quality in anything but the very cheapest of DACs is absolutely ridiculous. Absolutely wrong. 

I can't believe we are having this conversation in 2025.

Then the other side of the coin. "This $2000 DAC outperforms that $10000 one.

I went from a Topping D90 to Pontus 12.  There is a difference and it is worth the extra, IMO.