Why I sold my $50,000 DAC ...


 

Some epiphanies that led to me selling my uber-expensive Nagra Tube DAC

https://audiofool.substack.com/p/why-i-sold-my-50000-dac-part-two

Hopefully you find it entertaining and/or relatable.

Feedback, comments, brickbats, bouquets and anything in between most welcome.

essrand

I have a lumin x1, it's a streamer dac. I think it's phenomenal. I have bought separate dacs and I hate having to get all the interconnects and then deciding on changing it out trying something new. Frankly I think streamers and dacs should be internally connected. Done well it's great.

Great speakers and great amplification. 

Not sure about spending a lot of money for a room.  Then again I don't get out very much so I haven't heard many rooms.  

Room acoustics is key as all have said above. Unfortunate I realized that later in the journey. no problem, I finally did what I must do. 

@joeycastillo

Room acoustics is key

I think this is not as important for speakers which present as single point sources, or single line sources.

The ear-brain system sorts out the simple reflections from coherent speakers, but has problems with the multiple reflections from the multiple, spaced drivers found in most dynamic speakers.

Digital audio has come a long way in the last 2 decades.  What cost in the thousands 10 years ago can be purchased for much less and many with better sonic quality.  I've been down that road and really have had no regrets for most purchases.  That said, until I really got serious about room balancing and treatments, I then understood the significance of getting the room to sound right with whatever you have for equipment.  I can certainly understand selling a $50K DAC, especially if one can get most of the sound they enjoy for 10% or less of the cost.  Hey if you have the discretionary income to purchase whatever you want, go for it !  I've compared the sound of my rather expensive (for me) digital equipment bought 9 years ago with some newly purchased for less than 10% of that cost and it's 95% there !  Before you go out and upgrade electronics or transducers, do some room balancing work.  You may not have to upgrade !