$30K DAC in a $70K system - wise or ridiculous?

IMHO, it is all about system match, meaning your core gears (including cables) have to be in the same level of performance capabilities. Honestly I felt the $25k DAC is too much an overkill to your other setups. I would match the Pacifica DAC with some top notch cd transport like Esoteric P-0s and top range digital cable. Just my two cents here. 

joshfilm

Totaldac is beeig destroyed on asr for mesuring poorly compared to 300$ dacs and having less build quality than the average diy product...

If you like the sound of your 25k Totaldac, that is fine. But please don’t tell us it is a good value in the audiophile world...it is very far from being that... I would not call it a good value even in a 300k system...

I have a feeling those saying hell no way in hell is a DAC worth 30K haven't lived with one in their system.  If you can't afford it then so be it.  I have been in audio for 20 years and have only gone to about 10K on a CD player or DAC.  I recently got my hands on the DCS Rossini DAC and clock.  I hate to say it but you guys don't know what you are missing.  Don't knock it till you try it.  I have done hundreds of upgrades, speakers, amps, cables you name it.  This thing rocked my world.  

If the OP really has a $70k system and is on HERE seeking input on $30k DACs, then he really deserves the uncertainty of an internet-based purchase decision.

will never begrudge anyone with the means to buy such folly, but will throw a dart here and there at those who have the means but lack the IQ to know what they seek.

$5k on a DAC should do it, mate....that’s MY guess...;-)

One thing I'd recommend you consider would be to snag a really good power regenerator.

When PS Audio released their P15 unit, I upgraded from my then-current P10 model and immediately noticed significant improvements in the bass, the soundstage and the clarity in the mids to highs, on both my PS Audio DirectStream DAC and my Mytek Brooklyn DAC.

As to your idea of spending on improvements nearer to the source, I'm in agreement with that concept.