$39K for the Linn Klimax DAC/streamer?

@jhills 

just that you can not extract more from any streaming source than is there 

I don't really see how this would be different from an amp, a speaker or a turntable. Do you think those can extract more than there is in the source?

And funnily enough, streamers and dacs may be the one thing that can easiest improve the source quality by using technologies like the Chord Hugo M Scaler does. We can discuss if it sounds better or not but it tries to make the output sound better than the input.

Same issue of TAS has a rave review of the Hi Fi Rose 150B streamer/dac.  Costs $5K.

Would be interesting to compare to the Linn at 1/8th the price.

@jhills 

I didn't ask if you thought all DACs and amps sounded the same. I asked you to consider why they sound different (if you do perceive a difference) and then consider if some of the same factors might apply to streamers.

Based on your response,I gather that you haven't actually tried any upscale streamers.  I won't change your belief through this discussion. May I suggest you try one in your system? If, after then, you decide there's no benefit, then you'll have a data point on which to base your opinion.  

Folks-

My apologies for the initiation of this wayward thread! I was just responding as a scientist who has worked with computers in biology and medicine their entire life.

As a lifelong amateur musician, having played in almost every type of ensemble ranging from rock bands to string orchestras, it is my view that there is little sonic room left to improve music reproduction beyond the best of what is available now. I am lucky to have such a system, but I remain suspicious of expensive new products (and reviewers in audio magazines and on youtube) that continue to claim that every new gadget that comes along is the best thing since sliced bread.

As a scientist, and thankfully not an engineer, I realize that most of these recent claims are specious, but I will try and stop posting incendiary topics. Thanks...

I used to work for the company that made the Ariston RD11S and remember having a conversation with Mr Tiefenbrun one night at a hi fi exhibition and I broached the question to him if he would ever get into digital. His outburst was unprintable and the upshot was if digital ever started taking over then that was it for him and he would instantly put up the shutters. Well digital is now the major force in hi fi ( my opinion ) and Mr Tiefenbrun still hasn’t put up the shutters and I think 39K for a Dac is daylight robbery just as in the Eighties the Ariston was just as good as the LP12 for less than the linn.