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$10k DAC in a 3k system?

Hello all,

Ive owned the same audio rig for 8 years or so (Rega Mira 3 amp> Rega RS5 speakers) 

My source into the Mira3 amp is a headless fanless micro windows7pc I built running jrivermc> musichall Dax 25.3

i am reading some phenomenal things about some of these Dacs in the 10K range ( Chord Dave, Ayre, Lampizator,PS Audio, etc).

My question is a simple one: the other pieces of my system sound great to me, but are at a much lower price point collectively than one of the dacs mentioned above. Do I need to be concerned about my Amp/speakers being fast/dynamic enough to facilitate a Dac like the Dave? Or could I plug a top notch Dac like that into my system and hear the same things I've heard described in the reviews (but on a relative level) ?

thanks in advance for any insight!
dla123
gs5556
1,232 posts
 
Sometimes a $10k DAC is a $5k DAC after the dealer and distributor take their cut. Take away from that the labor and material cost of a fancy case, lights, feet and lettering and you may have a $2500 DAC.

Cost is not related to sound quality. As was stated above, listen to a Schiit Yggdrasil and get state of the art for $2300 plus shipping.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
+1 Al

Most speakers use cheap parts in an aesthetic box. The Aesthetic look is what sells. Very few companies put a lot of $ into the drivers and fewer still actually make anything themselves except the crossover and box. Speakers are much more a dogs breakfast than any other component in audio systems.

With most companies issuing new models every year the speaker market is more like Imelda Marcus shoe closet - full of fashion accessories rather than performance gear.
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
Do yourself a favor, as I did. Buy an Oppo UDP-205. With two ESS Sabre Pro series ES9038PRO DACs, all the other features of the unit - not to mention the outstanding 4K UHD video - all for $1300 you'll be more than glad you did.
bigkidz
3,373 posts
 
Well I build DACs as some of you already know. Yes a better DAC will improve your systems sound, IMO a better source is what starts it all. What I hear is tone - every instrument has its own tone, nothing melds together, separation, dimension - layers, clarity with details, space around instruments and vocals/piano like I never heard before. Worth the money, that is your call. BTW my build parts costs alone for the DAC is close to $4K!

Happy Listening.
seanheis1
618 posts
 
4K in build parts for a DAC? What parts are so costly? 
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