2. digital
  3. 168348-152017

PS audio new 25K dac and the psychological effect of owning a company's best.

I was purchasing some hi-res files from NativeDSD today and found mention of PS Audio’s Obsidian Ted Smith Signature Dac ($25K) in their compatibility excel table scheduled to be released in 2021. I am the owner of their Direct stream DAC and DSD memory player and I immediately thought that I would never spend 25K on a DAC. I also thought that now I can have their best so why to stay with the brand. This might be my personal bias but I was wondering if this has an effect on anyone else. Is owning the top-of-line of any brand important to you and would you leave a brand if you were priced out of the market?
rufusluna
sns
4,035 posts
 
If innovations in developing this dac trickle down to more affordable dacs good for all of us. Otherwise, value is only known to those who purchase it.
I presume cache of PS Audio goes up if dac reviews as state of art.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,185 posts
 
Well as for music lover, I have 5k hours on my middling DAC

of course I have a gratitude journal….


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,185 posts
 
And I agree the Bricasti gear is top notch and offer fantastic value
mid-fi-crisis
71 posts
 
A lot of brands have an option for the rich guy who just wants an expensive elite item. That buyer actually wants it to be expensive.

On a positive note, paying more might make you appreciate the item more. Much like buying a new LP when you were young... They were expensive to you so you really took care of them and listened intently. You cherished them. If they were 1 cent each it wouldn’t be the same, even though the music was the same.

firenze's avatar
firenze
12 posts
 
@jasonbourne52 I'm not sure I'd compare a DAC to a Rolex. Whether you buy a stainless steel for $10k or a solid gold with diamonds for $50k the movement is the same. You're paying for jewelry, not utility.
I'd argue that most $25k DACs and expensive products are more statement pieces and "art" of sorts. PS Audio has never marketed for art or appearance and I can't think how they could possibly justify that price over the DSD DAC they offer today. I could be wrong, but I'll never know because I'd never buy a DAC for that price.
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