Audio Mirror vs Prima Luna tube DAC

@jerry2021  You're always evaluating a system... and how different components sound within it. 

I personally auditioned a number of different DACs at the same time within my system and did indeed hear differences, as did a blinded co-listener.  We both agreed on the winner, which wasn't the most expensive or the cheapest.  I did not level match though, so maybe we just both picked the loudest (or softest, or whatever).    

If you can't hear the differences, there's no reason to chase the dragon, but that also doesn't mean that others aren't hearing them.  

People on this site like to state that product X is better than Y and pretend that's always the case, when in fact X was better than Y "to their ears in their system (and in their room)."  

In your system and to your ears, X = Y.  There's nothing wrong with that at all.

Agreed.

Only way one will know for sure is bring DACs into one’s own home and compare. Figure out sound you like (warm & lush VS detailed & analytical or whatever), set a price limit, use other peoples’ recommendations to narrow down your list, and then bring a few DACs in house to demo with YOUR own ears.

Agree with just about everything Jerry has said here.

Re : (warm & lush VS detailed & analytical or whatever)....will also add that often in my experience I am giving up one of these qualities for another , usually in the dacs implementation.

Re Primaluna gear...

Some general comments with regard to gear:

Their stuff is well built, solid, and reliable, akin to the automobile industry of today.

So reliable and well designed, your inclined to take it for granted. Very clean build. If they show pictures of the insides on their website, then companies are proud of it and have nothing to hide.

...And a company like Atmasphere fir instance goes even gurther with a timelapsed video if a complete construction