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


Apparently, the good folks at The Absolute Sound have you covered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nItR8Z6CCWE

(Audiophiles are never going to shed their out of touch reputation with journalism like this. I'm sorry, but it's just so tone deaf.)

hilde45

I would like recommendations for a good DAC and streamer.

For someone whose components are around $20k, and speakers are around $50k, what would you recommend for a DAC and streamer (separates or combo)? 
I like to keep the “diminishing return” in mind, and moderate any excessive wishes. So, what DAC and streamer would be proportionate in such a system (described above).

Learning about DACs and streamers is very frustrating.
There are so many unfamiliar terms, formats, combinations, possibilities, etc.!!!

@unclewilbur - Below is a basic overview.  At your price points, I recommend looking at these guys for reasonably priced servers and streamers.  Their support is good and their servers are configured to directly rip/upload your CDs when connected to the server via a CD drive.  

  • Modem: Inputs the internet signal coming into your house by cable or fiber and sends it by cable to your router.
  • Router: Sends the digital internet signal to devices in your home that need internet service, either wirelessly or by cable or fiber.
  • Server: Stores and catalogs your digital music files, usually on an internal solid state drive within the server, and provides an interface for managing your music library including downloads from a streaming service. If you use Roon as the gatekeeper for your digital music then the server operates what is called Roon core or Roon server.
  • Streamer: Connects to your home network or internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and inputs digital audio from the music server, online streaming services, and/or internet radio, processes and reclocks the digital audio signal, and then sends it to your audio system’s DAC. When using Roon, the streamer has the role of "Roon endpoint", which is a separate function from Roon core or Roon server.
  • Server and streamer can be in one box or separated into two boxes.  Mine are now two separate components and while I do not hear noticable differences in servers, I definately hear differences between different streamers.
  • DAC: Digital-to-Analog Converter that inputs a digital signal, converts it to an analog signal that is output in left/right channels to your preamplifier or directly to your DAC.
  • Which DAC: To answer this part of your question, there are more than a few folks who seem to like the Laiv Harmony DAC at less than $3K, but there are many others you can look at.  There are DACs by Gustard, Topping, and Benchmark for under $2K that measure quite well and seem to satisfy many.  If you can get to $4-5K, then maybe LTA Aero or Mojo Audio Mystique Y. With a little more to spend, up at about $10K, look at Mojo Audio Mystique X SE or Merason DAC1 MkII.  There are other worthy candidates at all those price points too.

@mitch2 

Thank you for your great response! After dinner i will research your whole list. Eventually I might learn more about DACs and streamers, but I’m just beginning. Last night I did some preliminary searches and made a haphazard list. I will show the list below, but keep in mind, I’m not very confident in knowing much! And the list probably has errors like price, etc. 

DACs
T + A  DAC 200 ● $7200 ● details, organic,smooth, holographic,
Chord Dave  $14G
Weiss tapelike
Bel Canto E1X DAC USA
dcs Lina and clock
EMM Labs DV2 Integrated DAC $30G
EMM Labs DV2 Integrated DAC used, $5G
Meitner M3 Integrated  $10G😃
Weiss Engineering Helios 😃
Accuphase DG-68 digital voicing equalizer.
Lumin P1 $10G
Lumin U2  ● smooth ● $5000
Luman x1 dac/stream● $14G
Eversolo DMP-A6 & A8 Huff recommended 
T + A Preamp, Streaming DAC ● PSD3100 HV
PSA DirectStream DAC MK2 %8G ~~~~?
WADAX Studio Player System $40 G
SACD, DAC, stream, preamp
Eversolo DMP-A8
PlayBack Designs Dream DAC
HiFiRose RS130 Network Transport $52G

 

PS...The T+ A DAC/Streamer/Preamp was interesting to me. Besides looking nice the combination of components is interesting. I have a lot to study!!!

@hilde45 listen I would arrange for you to hear out INFIGO METHOD 4 DAC. Just heard against the Lampizator Horizon 360 and I would just like you to hear it. If interested pm me. 

@unclewilbur - Take your time and do your research.  You may not get it perfect on the first swing.  Most of us didn't.  Consider how you want to interact with your system as some of the server products are more difficult to interface than others.  I had one server where I had to connect a screen and keyboard to make any changes or access my music file library.  With my SGC server, I can do all of that headless (i.e., on my iPac or phone), which is much easier for me.  Good luck.