What makes a DAC so expensive?


You can buy a Cambridge Audio AXA25 25 Watt 2-Channel Integrated Stereo Amplifier | 3.5mm Input, USB Input for $225, and most DACs seem more costly. 

I'm wondering what it is that makes a Bifrost 2 almost as expensive as an Aegir and 3x's as expensive as the Cambridge product, above. I would have thought an Aegir would out-expense a Bifrost by a factor of two or three. What are the parts that make the difference? 

I'm wondering if the isolated DAC concept is one that comes with a "luxury" tax affixed. Can anyone explain what I'm getting in a Bifrost 2, or other similar product that justifies the expense...?

Thank you.
listening99
Mahgister,

Always been a big Groucho fan. You’re quotes reminded me to do some binging on old "You Bet Your Life" episodes available on Tubi.

Still waiting for some of those deep philosophical quotes, but the quick wit is on full display, especially when any attractive young lady from 1955 shows up as a contestant. :^) You wouldn’t be able to say some of those things on network TV these days.

Where do I go to buy a beautiful 1955 Desoto with push button drive these days?

The other day we saw a live chicken in front of a local fried chicken joint. Why she crossed the road I’ll never know........  #:^/
Well, @Mahgister, do you suggest some recordings that work well for you, in analyzing your system/DAC, etc? 
If you can listen and distinguish clearly these 5 brass instruments intermingled with one another in a totally gleaming space, encompassing your room and exceeding the speakers in all direction even the extreme left and extreme right... Your system is good...

Empire brass ensemble "Gabrieli"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olIrf-uioD8

If you can listen to this piano music of Chopin, Nocturnes by Ivan Moravec, and if the piano is in front of you low chord at your right, higher chords at your left, and completey out of the speakers....
Your system is good...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BaLVjoLUAQ

The last one is difficult to have it right...

This is my favorite therapeutic music... Very powerful...Goldman "Holy Harmony"

But you must listen very subtle chimes on top of very precise pulsating tuning forks frequencies encompassing the room and in front of you a Mantra by superposed female and male voices...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJRpoUk-mpU&t=344s

Try to buy the cd if you like them on youtube....

Mahgister,

Always been a big Groucho fan. You’re quotes reminded me to do some binging on old "You Bet Your Life" episodes available on Tubi.

Still waiting for some of those deep philosophical quotes, but the quick wit is on full display,
 Not one of my attributed citation comes from Groucho.... He is more swift and humorous than i ever will be and i borrow his reputation to navigate with my own  philosophical rambling flaws....

:)
What makes a DAC so expensive:

Audiophiles who think that the more expensive a product is, the better it must be....