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Can a dac really be future proof?

I’m talking via firmware/ software updates. I do get that some integrated amps ( McIntosh, etc) allows you to swap out the entire dac unit/card or whatever. 
I do get having firmware updates to improve stability, etc while the dac is fairly new. Or even let a new format “ kick in” due to final prep ( example MQA). 
How far can firmware - software upgrades carry you as dac chips and other hardware items improve? I can’t see a dac from 5 years ago with older generations of dac chips performing on par with the latest and greatest. Of course, I assume one’s listening taste is consistent for a particular chip/component. One may actually prefer the sound of an older dac over new one. Outside of that, how many years can software upgrades carry a Dac?

aberyclark
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
What makes you think newer chips sound better than older chips?
aberyclark OP
1,355 posts
 
In general, most will think a newer dac will outperform an old dac. Can a dac with firmware updates out perform a new dac with updated hardware? There are people,I’m sure, who prefer dacs from 2003. Of course, I’m talking 5 or 6 + years. Not a year later. 
jackd
1,068 posts
 
Dac's that allow firmware upgrades by their nature don't use off the shelf dac chips but rather FPGA's which can to some extent be re-programmed or "updated" to the limits of it's capabilities.  
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