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

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.

@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.

I’m all for the free market and "whatever the market will bear" for pricing. People can charge and pay what they want. I suspect part of the disappointment expressed here is because we know that kind of pricing is hyper-inflated and is driven by marketing to vanity among those who find fulfillment in sharing with others how expensive each piece in the "collection" costs them (not what it’s worth). Et tu, PS Audio?

When I see pricing on stuff like that it makes me more inclined to dismiss the company’s offerings entirely. It undermines Trust in whether I’m really getting something of value or that I bit on what was marketed elsewhere in the line.

In contrast, and not to compare product performance, it’s interesting that the guys at Schiit almost feel compelled to share pricing of some of the parts in their $2500 Yggdrasil dac. $25k dacs are exactly the stuff they scorn; or, maybe they just haven’t found enough expensive parts to cram into their dac? I kinda doubt it.

Admittedly, I have not been keeping up with the info on the proposed TSS DAC from PS Audio and do not know if the $25K will be the release price.   As I recall, this is to be a 2-box unit with one for digital and the other for analog.   Ted Smith is a very bright guy and I believe the end result will be impressive.   I suspect there will be trickle down improvements to their less expensive unit designed to replace the current DirectStream DAC, which has had a long run.  I also believe they are designing for future enhancements in what the unit will do with long term life cycle.  

Now, that being said, there are a number of very high performing DACs now available for significantly less money new.   Audio gear suffers from significant depreciation.   That can be a real downer for original owners who look to sell and potentially a boon to buyers for preowned.  

We can bet there will be lots of professional reviews, some just regurgitating specs and marketing, but there are also some really good reviewers who go further in depth and compare with other similar and less priced units.  

I suggest it is premature to crown or demonize the TSS.   Some will never buy it due to its expense or out of choice, but let's see how it stacks up in value and performance once it is out.  

First, to answer your question - I always try to buy what I believe I will eventually end up with (usually it's the model costing a bit more than the model I'm currently looking at), but the TOTL doesn't always equate to the best quality, so, no.  Now, to address PS Audio in general - their equipment doesn't hold its value well, so expect to lose a ton of money when you are looking to unload it.  Additionally, going all out on a DAC is an unwise move because the technology for them changes much faster than other pieces in the chain.  PS Audio is not the best at future-proofing their equipment and they're padding their prices due to their trade-in policy.  If anyone here has enough disposable income that they can consider a $25k DAC and dump their current perfectly good equipment for a big loss, more power to you, it's your money.