The new dCS Varese DAC...it is so good that all others are now relegated to history??

This seems similar buying a car new or used. Once we buy the car, we usually don’t care about newer models coming out, but rather we are satisfied with the function and use of our purchase because it is doing “exactly” what we expected at the time of purchase.

Products types vary in innovation, from slow (furniture, roof tiles…) to fast including high-tech (software, laptops, smartphones, audio equipment..).

In high-end anything. It’s foolish to purchase anything thinking/hoping that better tech “won’t happen”, and when it does the individual becomes disappointed. Meanwhile, the high-end anything is functioning exactly as it was intended at the time of purchase- it’s doing what we expected it to do to give us satisfaction.

As an example, after long research, both Audiophile1 (A1) and Audiophile2 purchased the same DAC.

A1 simply enjoys the DAC - it’s consistently performing to expectations at the same level of when it was first purchased

A2 is satisfied enjoys it for awhile, then hears news of a better model coming out so A2 becomes dissatisfied. But wait, the news is false so now A2 is back to being satisfied. The manufacturer announced that they are working on a newer/better model, A2 becomes dissatisfied. But due to health reasons, the manufacturer will retire aka no new model, A2 becomes satisfied. Meanwhile, the DAC is performing the same as in day 1. What is changing?

Its better to be A1 without the emotional baggage

Not withstanding the companies behavior, I did have a chance to hear the reviewed setup.  It is an amazing stack.  Unobtanium at anything realistic price wise.  I can't say the performance is anything but beyond next level.  The high end actually got a high end machine.  I was amazed and more than amused by what I heard.  You should go listen to it wherever your Ferraris are sold.  But anyone who's heard high end systems knows this DAC isn't a snake oil review.

@audio-b-dog  Excellent post. I think more folks should have the attitude that you have in regards to high end purchases..of anything. I also think more of us should judge this hobby in the way you state.

@christopherp Can you tell us what the rest of the system consisted of when you heard the new dCS Varese stack..gear, room, music, etc??

I don't mind reviews from time to time about very expensive audio. I think it would be good, however, if the reviewer would at least nod to the readership that probably less than 1% of us will ever be able to afford this. Perhaps the reviewer could have mentioned trickle-down electronics into streamers that at least 10% of us might afford in the future. There were no nods in this review. When I was done with it I felt as though the reviewer was reviewing, from an affordability standard, a new NAD streamer. In other reviews I've read of ridiculously expensive equipment, the reviewers often nod to the super expensive price tag. 

Sometimes when I read about the equipment a reviewer has, including super-expensive substitute equipment, I wonder where they get all their money. Sometimes I wonder if a reviewer has to have a fortune to go into the business of reviewing. If they review $200K speakers, for example, they put a couple hundred thousand in front of the speakers. 

Part of the problem for me is that the $250,000 DCS streamer (if it was a streamer and not just a DAC) pretty much receives the same lauditory adjectives as a $15K streamer. Wide sound stage, great attack, all the normal compliments. 

Part of my bottom line for what I will purchase is if I leave the audition room for a half hour will I know if they've changed out the expensive component with something 1/2 its price or in case of the Varese 1/10 its price. 

In other words, as Bjork says, "Where is the line for you?" My wife would definitely ask me that. Anyway, without some sort of nod to me by the reviewer I feel left out by uber-expensive equipment that is out of the price range of everyone I know, and I live in LA among the "elites." One other problem I have with digital equipment is that it will never sound as good as my "modest" turntable with a decent cartridge.