$10k DAC in a 3k system?

@dia123 - I have owned the Rega Mira3 recently. I have never heard the Rega RS5, but my understanding is that it is a fine speaker. I currently own/use Rega Elicit-R Integrated Amp and Rega Saturn-R CD Player/Transport/DAC.

You would likely hear an improvement in Sound Quality with a top-notch $10K. However, I think your overall improvement opportunity would be limited by your existing system. The Mira3 was a nice sounding, musical amp, however it lacked overall resolution in my system. Ultimately I upgraded to the Elicit-R and it was a big step up in overall resolution, power and drive.

Personally, I would never spend $10K on a DAC in a $3K system. If you have $10K burning a whole in your wallet, I would recommend you upgrade your integrated amp first, then upgrade your DAC with a comparably priced unit, maybe $2K-$3K.

Good Luck in your sonic journey.........

@dla123

Don’t believe the hype. Firstly your speakers do not merit anything like that kind of expenditure. Ratio of $ expenditure should be more like Speakers 10, Amp 2, Source 1. So consider a $10K DAC merits $100K ball park on speakers.

My speakers are around $100K ball park but I use a $2K DAC.

Electronics is so much easier to get right than speakers. So save your money and don’t let the hype scare you - a good $200 DAC is all that would be worthwhile for your set up.

Speaker should be first priority, Pre-amp- & Amplifier as second. . However if you feel it can be justified by all means go for it.

An alternative choice would be buying a lower end dac which can outperform others many times its price. Some of the recommendation already made are very good choice.

If I was you and had 10K to Splash. Id be looking at a second-hand but well looked after speaker on the market.

What Charles Said:

Performance and cost isn't always a linear relationship.

This is very very true and something which one learns from years of experience.

I can only speak from my experience. I made many, many changes over the years. In my experience, changing speakers and the source has had the most impact on my system. I recently changed my music server. It's so hard to describe the differences without individuals thinking that I'm exaggerating or lying. I don't know if it's because the new component has synergy with the rest of the components, the music server that it replaced was so bad, or the new music server is just that good. The only way to find out if it's worth spending 1K or 10K on a DAC is to get a home trial...let your ears decide.