How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?

@simao 

Along the lines of what @jl35 states- I used an Oppo for spinning disks a few years ago as well, it eventually wore me down. I can put up with it for a short period of time then I have to turn it off.

As for DAC’s- while there are differences in the levels of performance and quality (generally) with the more you spend I don’t believe the improvements follow the same scale once you pass a certain point (diminishing returns). Only you can justify the value of the expense once you’ve experienced the difference.

When it comes to moving on from the Oppo you could move in the direction of a device that rips your CD’s to internal storage and streams Tidal/Qobuz content. The Innuos Zen MK3 or Aurender ACS-100 are a great place to start and I believe both  of these sell for under $4k new. You can frequently find these on the used market as well. Happy Hunting!

@ghdprentice

+100 …. Nailed it!

@simao

Everything is built to its pricepoint, with an audio performance that follows in lockstep.

if you still have doubts, just go do a simple audition A-B bakeoff between, say, a BLUESOUND NODE doing its yeoman service duty and compare its performance to a stand-alone $3K + north unit, as a very graphic example to prove the point,

The high-end units superior design (HINT: think linear power supplies as just one example) , their superior component parts, and itheir superior build quality separates the high-end contenders from the pretenders. The audio performance improvements are not subtle.It is dramatized further when you step up into hi-rez digital files at better than simple cd quality 44 kHz/ 16 bit.

Intuitively, with a hi-end unit, the choice of a worthy digital cable in, analogue cables out, and its power cable, all become part of the system equation on your road to audio nirvana.

All DACs are defined by their output stages, for good or bad.

Anyone that thinks a $20/30/40k R2R or Delta Sigma DAC is going to provide audio nirvana based on it's process/processor is seriously misled.

The current Delta Sigma chip is the ESS 9038 Pro with the ESS 9039 Pro due to debut maybe this year.

Unless controlled listening tests are done all bets are off! A DAC is really just a sound card - and needn't cost four and five-figures! 

While technology may be different, DAC's do about the same thing regardless of price, in terms of specs at least.

I don't know if price is the right differentiator either.  Use your own ears to determine value, not the price tags or reviews.