How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?
Having spun an Oppo 105 for many years on its own before adding a Schiit Gungnir (bought for a generous steal from a wonderful seller here), I was immediately struck with how much more presence and detail the Schiit added to the Oppo's presentation.
That Gungnir, even new, pales in comparison pricewise with 4 and 5 figure DACs I see for sale here.
So what do those much more expensive DACS do for sound? I mean, how much more information can be dug out of the digital files? Is it akin to what a good phono stage can do for a cartridge?
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...😂🤣😅😆 |
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. |
I bought a D90SE soon after it first came out. I think it's still the highest measured DAC on ASR but I haven't been on there in a while to verify. Anyway, I was looking for a new DAC for my PC setup. I had an older Ayre Codex and my PS Audio Stellar DAC was away for warranty issues. Bottom line, I sent it back. It sounded low-fi and cheap, probably on par - or maybe a tad better than my Schiit Modi Multi-bit 2 DAC. I put up a more descriptive review on Amazon at that time. I gave it 3 stars, which surprises me. I must've been in a great mood that day.
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