Am I alone in the world using a 1997 high end pro sampler as a DAC?

1997 is a long way back.

I have a Wired4sound DAC that was given to me. I guess it is probably from about 20 years ago. It isn’t bad and I would probably still be using it on my second system except it isn’t plug and play but requires drivers to be installed on the device that feeds it data, and you can’t install drivers on a streamer.

It probably is dependent on what parameters you are comparing with more recent equipment. If it is simply raw details... then there may not be a huge difference. If it is about how natural and musical and fleshed out the sound is... there is likely to be a huge difference in modern DACs. 

It will surely measure terribly compared to state-of-the-art current DACs, but certainly I’ve found some of the older stuff is simply musical and enjoyable. I have an ancient Meridian 566.24 DAC I quite enjoy (the DAC portion of the famous 508 CD player). I think it’s from the same era as your DAC. The more recent (still old) high end Meridian stuff is better (808, UltraDAC) - but it’s amazing how well that 566 holds up for simply enjoying music.

Tried an RME ADI-2 Pro "Black Edition", which measures wonderfully - and simply hated the sound. It was like sandpaper to my ears. I’m very much a Koetsu / SPU type of subjectivist audiophile, not a "clean & neutral, wire with gain" objectivist one. So take that for what you will.

But yes, I certainly believe that bleeding edge modern tech and exotic parts are NOT necessary to a musical DAC - and in fact, can move it in the other direction. But the mastering quality of digital material is still the main issue here, overriding our hardware choices. I simply find a better "hit rate" of good-sounding masters on vinyl. All of my Japanese CDs sound amazing, though.

Some might claim I don’t have a resolving enough system, or hearing nuanced enough to properly appreciate the vast gains of modern digital source. And I could counter with the fact that (in my mid 40s) I’m on the low side of age-related hearing loss for Audiogon’s demographic I like a warm and smooth, full-bodied sound, and yes probably a bit of roll-off up top. A lot of modern gear sounds just way too "tipped up" for me. ** also I listen at louder SPLs compared to most audiophiles, which is certainly also a factor in my preferences!

My Audio Note Dac-3 Signature was built in 1995 and sounds fantastic to my ears. A recent power supply overhaul and it's sounding even better.