@ozzy---thank you for your comments. I can not believe the comments. It is another reason Audiogon threads have become a joke. I merely was trying to inform people of a new DAC and its capabilities not to get into a debate over whether digital is real sound or not. Not to debate whether tube rolling just masks the real sound. Not to debate the cost. Not to debate having a tube DAC.
Everyone has a budget whether it is $1k or $100k. It is no different than buying an amp for $3k or $60k. There are differences in quality and sound in EVERY component as you go up the price range. That is why people have options. In this case, the Horizon is $44K eu. If you can afford it you should check it out. It is game-changing. So, if you haven't heard it, it is unfair to post comments criticizing its characteristics of it.
Now as to having a super high-end system and evaluating it vs what the majority of us have, in this case, it does not matter. We were comparing the Pacific to the Horizon. The same results would have occurred on an average system. The Horizon is just plain better. I am not a shill for Lampizator but if the Horizon is not in the budget they have many other options at more value propositions. BTW, I am functionally blind so God gave me an increase in hearing so listening to this DAC was just an absolute pleasure.