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Do hi-end DACs offer true value or diminishing return...

These two hi-fedelity recordings posted on Youtube allow one to audition the state-of-the-art, highly raved R2R DACs with values ranging from $850 all the way to $6,500. Please use headphone or, play back to your stereo system if you think your system is revealing enough. The question to ask to yourself is that the true hi-end (w/ high price tag) gears offer you true values or just a diminishing-return foolproof. In my system, I do hear the differences but, to me, the differences might not be that significant to justify the luxious spending. Maybe my system is not revealing enough.  Maybe the recording quality through the on-line broadcasting degrades.  How about you? Do you hear major differences? 

Terminator Plus ($6.5k), Venus II ($3k)

Terminator $4.5k, Ares II ($850)

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lanx0003
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

Well, it’s all up to you. If you are struggling to find money to buy a decent DAC, or any kind of audio equipment, then you will surely find all kind of reasons in the Internet not to buy one. Then you (plural) you will be a specialist in posting in all audio forums why those are snake oil. That’s how it works. I have seen it all over again and again.

 

Including making decisions based on a YouTube video 😂

 

Bottom line: take care of basic needs first, food to the table, family, housing, kids’ college, and so on. Audio is a hobby. Secondary to all in the grand scheme of things. Discretionary

thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

@jasonbourne52 dude:

If you haven't done a blind listening comparison your conclusions are highly suspect.

Please let me know how you picked your speakers. Did you line up a few pairs in your house and quickly did some blind testing?

 

Do you have speakers?

 

bigkidz
3,381 posts
 

Price has nothing to do with sound quality.  I see equipment racks going for $50K.  It all means nothing.  You can get great sound for less money, but you don't get the last 10-20% or more of the sound the better sounding components can deliver.

Look inside your components.  What makes them different?  Are there Audio Note non-magnetic resistors in there No?  Audio Note capacitors No?  Plitron transformers or chokes NO? Point-to-point wired NO?  So then why would you think the higher price components should sound better?  There are relatively no new designs in audio components just slight variations.  Learn what makes sound good and then you will find out how to make a system sound the way you would like it within your price range.

Happy Listening.

 

 

Happy Listening. 

  

lewm
13,010 posts
 

You’d have to try hard to find a magnetic resistor these days. Even the cheapest available are more likely than not to be nonmagnetic. And although Audio Note silver foil in oil capacitors sound great, there are many less expensive alternatives that arguably sound as good or even better and are less expensive.

ghdprentice
6,957 posts
 

@bigkidz 

 

What is your current system? 

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