How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?

@bruce19 

He may have been describing the lower cost of ownership due to the purchaser NOT swapping in and out of gear. In other words, you don’t lose money if you don’t sell it. 

I wish I had never heard better dacs. I’ve spent a ton on the chase ever higher up the price and performance scale. If you haven’t heard better then good for you but once you have then discussions like these you will find humorous. Peace.

If that was your point, Tony, you are right I did miss it. However, I still don’t see where the cost of ownership comes out less.

I have heard extraordinary systems, and they have sounded extra ordinary with the music that was played for me on them. I have never owned one. But I have played extraordinary recordings on my more modest system, and they have also sounded extraordinary.

The original owner took the depreciation hit.  The 2nd owner can likely sell the $11,000 DAC for about what he paid for it ($5000 hypothetically)- if he holds it for just a few years.  For example, I have owned two vintage ARC preamps, one for 13 years and one for 20 years.  I sold each preamp for more than I paid.  So my cost of ownership was negative, not accounting for inflation.  I enjoyed great hifi sound from my preamps with no depreciation.  Unfortunately, I am not always so lucky.

I have never owned one. But I have played extraordinary recordings on my more modest system, and they have also sounded extraordinary.

Exactly, and that is all that matters.

In searching for a new DAC recently I was impressed with GoldenSound's review especially on his "under the hood" analysis of the electronics. He also reviews the Denafrips Terminator Plus.

Holo Audio May Review - Part 1

Holo Audio May Review - Part 2

a DAC will depreciate much faster and steeper than an amp or preamp...lots of high quality amps and preamps will hold used price value after a few years of depreciation, not very often with a DAC...