Chord DAVE DAC

Hi Jack,

Not your question - but ditch the MP3s and subscribe to Tidal or Qobuz. You;ll get at minimum full FLAC ro HD, and a huge library.  You simply cant get good meals from poor ingredients

As to ASR - they measure.  I guess you;ve been in a cave (*maybe wise) but this topic comes up regularly.  If you believes measurements no one would spend more than about $100 for a DAC and $300 for an integrated amp.  No tubes (terrible measurements). Certainly no vinyl (60 dB SNR).  I wont open Pandora's box (what are they missing?, do we like accurate) - but reality says otherwise.

Oh, and I design this stuff professionally as a side hobby, and retired as CTO of a major tech firm, so not unfamiliar with the tech. I sure wish measurements did correlate - my job would be much easier.

@itsjustme 

 If you believes measurements no one would spend more than about $100 for a DAC and $300 for an integrated amp. No tubes (terrible measurements). Certainly no vinyl

Yet there are those who vehemently make that very case. If the component has excellent measurements at that price point, you exhibit gullibility by paying more. Listen to it? Why do I need to do that?

Charles

@charles1dad 

In those circumstances where home auditioning isn’t feasible, I’ll take my chances with other humans who can offer hands (Ears) on feedback. @hilde45 if your past experiences are different, I understand.

I totally agree with you. What I like about your post — and this was really the point I was trying to push — is that there is a middle ground between groundless opining with no empirical controls and strictly controlled listening conditions. And we should strive for that middle ground or at least acknowledge (and specify) the most salient conditions under which our aesthetic judgments are formed.

I recently received an inheritance worth about 13k. I can shell out another 2 grand to get my end-game DAC with headphones. Or...maybe the wife and kids want their bathrooms renovated

Is there a wise person at home with a self-confident moral compass with a decision making capacity on exactly how to prioritize the administration of such a generous inheritance?

Other than on either toilets or a DAC. Dunno, Ask dudes at Audiogon.

Priceless.

Really shows where's someone's priorities lie...