The threshold for all this is up to the indidual. The “that’s just silly money” point for one person might be the bare minimum for another.
I see a ton of “all DACs sound the same” and “don’t spend money on a DAC as it will be obsolete in a month” posts on audio forums. Its not like DACs stop working just because some new box comes out.I have a friend who has a 20-year-old Proceed processor/DAC and it still performs and sounds wonderful. It might not do MQA but the level of decades long service is commendable.
Buying this stuff is like everything else: do your research, audition (if possible) and spend your own hard earned money wisely.
I think the important thing is paying attention to the used market: regardless of price range you want a box that has solid resale potential if you decide to upgrade or go in a different direction. Some tech and brands will go out of flavor which impacts resale potential. It happens. I am also a paddler. Long sturdy kayaks with rudders were once all the rage but today folks want shorter, lighter boats with a skeg. When to buy and when to sell is all part of this game...
I see a ton of “all DACs sound the same” and “don’t spend money on a DAC as it will be obsolete in a month” posts on audio forums. Its not like DACs stop working just because some new box comes out.I have a friend who has a 20-year-old Proceed processor/DAC and it still performs and sounds wonderful. It might not do MQA but the level of decades long service is commendable.
Buying this stuff is like everything else: do your research, audition (if possible) and spend your own hard earned money wisely.
I think the important thing is paying attention to the used market: regardless of price range you want a box that has solid resale potential if you decide to upgrade or go in a different direction. Some tech and brands will go out of flavor which impacts resale potential. It happens. I am also a paddler. Long sturdy kayaks with rudders were once all the rage but today folks want shorter, lighter boats with a skeg. When to buy and when to sell is all part of this game...