Is it possible to find a good DAC for under $50, 000?

Kind of posted this as a joke. Most took it seriously. Interesting fact, in and of itself.

I'm pretty sure there are no noticeable differences above a fairly modest price point.

And, for any who claims they can hear a difference, I'd want to see proof that every other choke point in the system had been worked out – room, amps, everything.

But most do not go to that trouble before pronouncing on differences that they could not notice.

Without controlling variables of a certain magnitude, the differences people report are really them expressing their love for their own opinion.

Kind of posted this as a joke

based on your name and the content, that's what I thought, but who has any sense of humor here :)

There are so many great sounding DACs ​​​​​​under  $5k it's silly.    I listened to several around $1500 to $6k.   In the end I chose one a little over $3k.   Almost 3 years in and still love how it sounds.   Never been a better time for digital audio that's somewhat affordable. 

@celtic66 "...I own four different DACs at distinct price points and yes each improves performance measurably with the price point increase.  $300/2K/6K/12K."...

+1

I have also owned DACS from $200 - $2K - $20K. I agree. particularly when you double the price point you get a significant increase in performance. Small incremental changes in investment can just provide different but not better. I can tell appreciate a better sounding DAC... even if it its design goals are not the target sound type I want. Poor choices in your purchase and you can get a DAC with the wrong kind of sound... for instance if you like musical renditions of sound and you buy a detail scraping DAC then from your point of view, it may not sound better. 

My components are all at the $20K level. If my financial position changed and I was able to upgrade to the $40K level I would do so, and appreciate the improved sound quality. I have not gotten to the point where I can’t tell the difference between levels, what I own is financially constrained. 

I just watched a video on a guy around here that has a million dollar system. He spent over twenty years on the room and the equipment. I see him as a comrade, someone I can relate to... someone who loves music. I would very much enjoy listening to his system and trading stories about the journey we took to get where we are. I would not criticize him for being more financially successful than I have been, more dedicated to the pursuit, or somehow being a bad person because I am jealous of him.