The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype

@jasonbourne71 

Why...........of course, Lol!!!!

True...

Like is true that in democracy we are all equals in right...

But as said Orwell "some are more equal than others"...

The most important factor all others included together is acoustics (psycho-acoustics too) basics...

EVERYTHING matters for sound. Next discussion.

There are more significant differences in recording style than DAC flavors (analytical vs. "musical"). Then add personal preference, and the vast majority of DAC are perfectly fine. For those discerning folks, you may need multiple DACs and match them to the recording.

As pointed out elsewhere, I experimented with a $250 and a $5,000 DAC and preference depended on track. Differences if perceptible at all were minute at best. Neither of the DACs was objectively "better". In that case, it was a cheaper chip vs. a more expensive R2R DAC.

So rather consider foot print and look of the DAC than thinking one may sound better for a variety of music and recording styles. If you like audio bling, go for it, put your bespoke ethernet/USB cable on lifters. If you want to be more frugal, know that you are not missing anything with respect to audio, if that is your primary interest.

@oberoniaomnia ", I experimented with a $250 and a $5,000 DAC and preference depended on track. Differences if perceptible at all were minute at best. ....So rather consider foot print and look of the DAC than thinking one may sound better for a variety of music and recording styles. If you like audio bling, go for it, put your bespoke ethernet/USB cable on lifters. If you want to be more frugal, know that you are not missing anything with respect to audio, if that is your primary interest."

So out of curiosity why then do you have a $4K+ Holo May  DAC?

Output stage is a deal maker/breaker. 
 

Op amps gonna opamp. 
 

Tubes gonna tube. 
 

Discreet is so sweet????