Audio Note DAC 5

"It's better to buy DAC 5 than spend 50k on hooker costing 10k/a night.At least in my book."

Audiobb, You have a sensible book, however, I suspect that many people who buy "best of class" or maybe I should say "most expensive of class" luxury items, aren't making that choice. Demonstrating their success through the acqusition of these trinkets seems to be a sport to some of the wealthy elite. The value of money is not static, it's active.
The gent in your illustration is probably boasting about his 50k toy to his 10k hooker.

Phaelon,I guess you're right.It's also probably o proof of buying power.If i have it,it means i can easily afford it.

I have a DAC 4.1x Balanced Signature, the model right below the 5. It was easily worth the money, at least to me. The sound is superb, and it's not ever going to be a candidate for an upgrade.

As with any gear at this level, if you have the disposable income and the sound is to your taste then it's worth the money. If the answer to either of those criteria is "No", then it's not.

I have never heard a digital component that gives me the satisfaction of the heavy-hitting AN DACs, but in a recent thread on "Reference Quality DACs" it became abundantly clear that others have different sonic and musical priorities that would knock AN out of the running for them.

You should listen to Wavelength Audio gear...Particurlarly the Crimson. Pure magic. : )

If money is no object, its probably worth it.
But for $10,000 i would rather spend it on the accuphase dp78 sacd /cd. Heard this at dealer showroom. I was blown away.