The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype

So much fail in this thread. "It's all ones and zeros". That's like saying "it's all just grooves in the vinyl" and that all cartridges sound the same. In both cases there are a lot of important parts and design choices between the input signal and the analog output that (can) have a significant impact on sound quality.

If you're happy with the sound of your $200 DAC and truly believe more expensive ones will all sound the same... I guess you should consider yourself lucky!

@tweak1 

If there is a "scam", it's this idea that only the chip matters. 

Agree with @big_greg!

Aren’t all speakers just drivers and enclosures??  Amps just transistors and transformers?? 🤔

@ facten @knownothing Thank you both for your replies. I like the thought of a tube DAC. I don't want fatiguing anything. For clarification, I have a desktop computer feeding a Dragonfly black which is feeding a Conrad Johnson PV-10AL which is feeding an Audiophonics LPA-S500NC into KEF LS50's. 

It sounds like even a $400 DAC is going to be an improvement provided I find one that suits my tastes. I like that ultra tubey sound. Euphonic is the word I hear used to describe the sound I like. Marantz back in the day used to have what was referred to as the "two martini sound". I have always been a fan of vintage Marantz sound. 

It sounds like both of you liked the Chord line of DAC's, and for reasons I can appreciate. I'll read reviews and compare the Mojo's to some of the Topping DAC's like the E70 Velvet and the Denefrips Aries. I read a review that described the Velvet as sounding warm and non fatiguing, but than I read another review that didn't describe it that way.

Anyway, thank you both so much for your thoughtful replies. I may just buy several DAC's from Amazon or other outlets that allow returns and test until I find what suits me. Thanks again.

Matt