How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?

@charles1dad yes it's obvious that if measurements captured ALL sonically relevant parameters then excellent measurements would correlate strongly with sonic excellence. One such parameter is soundstage width/depth - which set of measurements reliably correlate with a wide/deep soundstage? Answer: nobody seems to know. Why is there not more curiosity about answers to these sorts of specific questions amongst the measurements-first crowd? Even I would be interested in studies done to determine the answers, so one is left to surmise that crowd aren't interested really in science as much as they are interested in being right and trolling those who aren't convinced that the current sonic measurements regime is a completed field of study.

@kairosman 

Good observations. I would bet a paycheck that your Topping DAC measures better than your LampiZator Baltic 4. I’d also bet that it doesn’t sound nearly as good as the Baltic 4 DAC.

Charles 

@charles1dad

please come over this weekend, i am hosting a listening party using oscilloscopes only... we will look at sine wave traces at varying frequencies of a dozen dacs --- be prepared to be impressed!  we can sit outside on the deck enjoy the crisp winter air!!

oh yes, several of my deaf friends will be in attendance...😂🤣😅😆

@jjss49 

Well, you certainly have the appropriate friends for such a gathering.😊😊

Charles 

The one thing no one has mentioned (as far as I have read) is service and support after the sale.  Good customer support and service is a hallmark of the high end hifi industry.  It has a lot to do with good gear keeping its resale value because people know certain brands are still supported years after the original sale.  That service can also include in home setup and adjustments from specially trained individuals.  A lot to be said for good customer service.  We Americans have grown accustomed to seeking out the best deal so much that now we have to pay for service and support after the sale.  Apple, Best Buy, et al have set up a nice side income with their monthly payment plans for warranty support.  So for those looking solely at the bottom line point of sale, they prefer to spin the roulette wheel in hopes that their new component never fails.  The other problem is that many things we buy today are no longer supported after just a few years.

I'd love to see the look on my grandparents faces if I could have told them that one day people would pay $1500 or more for a telephone and then throw it away in just a couple of years as it becomes obsolete.  Not to mention the $17/month extended warranty fee.  We have given away so much with respect to customer service.