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

I’m on the same track as the OP. I’ve started my audiophile journey around integrated CD players, and not the expensive ones (Kenwood dP7090, Revox B226) then I moved on to the modern transport + DAC, albeit still at the "budget" level (Audiolab 6000CDT + Gustard A18). It’s around 1000$, a bit more, of digital source, which is nothing nowadays, but with a little care (decoupling, power cords, fuses...) I have a hard time trying to imagine exactly HOW this could ever sound BETTER.

Now I’m not a skeptic AT ALL, and I know the high end sounds better in absolute. Although it's hard to put words, sometimes, on the subjective differences.

But I go to my friend who has an Accuphase integrated CD player and it doesn’t sound "more analog" or "more like music". I go to audio shows and I hear 6 figures systems, and yeah, ok, it sounds nice (sometimes), but how much of that comes from the 50K digital source? Why am I not more frustrated when I come back home and listen to my budget digital source? What I mean is, system synergy is key, and it’s totally possible IMHO to build a great sounding system around a well chosen and well cared for "budget" digital source. If your feet are tapping and if your eyes are watering and if you get goosebumps, no need to be frustrated: it's not so bad after all.

@rolox +1

@rolox

If your feet are tapping and if your eyes are watering and if you get goosebumps, no need to be frustrated: it’s not so bad after all.

I agree. If you reach this type of response while listening to music you’ve achieved musical engagement/involvement/connection. So regardless of cost, you’ve done something right to get there. How one reaches this outcome and the path taken will vary.

Charles

+1 for @bolong reference to GoldenSound review of the HoloAudio KTE May DAC, but I would also watch part 2 in which the reviewer tries to describe objectively and subjectively how all that technology translates into what he hears.  Spoiler alert, he uses the word “fantastic” a lot, but for me that doesn’t really diminish the value of his earnest attempts to describe what he is hearing from the Holo May.  If this is too rich for your blood, you might look at HoloAudio Spring.  I personally like Chord and Denafrips DACs as somewhat opposite ends of the audio spectrum, at least at lower price  points, with the latter like HoloAudio being a pretty good value proposition.

Holo May - The King Is Crowned

Re: Holo May DAC reviews. All of the Youtube reviews are uniformly enthusiastic.

.Whether this is a question of contagion, or a genuine indication of quality may be debatable; but these are all reviewers I have found reliable for other components in the past so I am inclined to look upon this DAC favorably and have ordered one to replace my Terminator (original one from years ago,)