How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is?
Having spun an Oppo 105 for many years on its own before adding a Schiit Gungnir (bought for a generous steal from a wonderful seller here), I was immediately struck with how much more presence and detail the Schiit added to the Oppo's presentation.
That Gungnir, even new, pales in comparison pricewise with 4 and 5 figure DACs I see for sale here.
So what do those much more expensive DACS do for sound? I mean, how much more information can be dug out of the digital files? Is it akin to what a good phono stage can do for a cartridge?
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,) |
Same old question gets the same old reply. Price means nothing design and parts mean everything. Most people here have never had a reference component in their system. Reviews mean nothing. The old Marantz CD-94 still competes in sound quality to most any DAC mentioned in this forum. Happy Listening.
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A little input from the poor side of town. I have been a sound junkie since I bought my first reel to reel in Vietnam in 1966. Everthing was analog then and 30hz was 30hz so your upgrades were based on looks and build quality - or maybe cutesy tricks like speed control so you could play along with more adept musicians. I have been through all the changes since then like Dolby or DBX or 4 channel or reverb etc until bandwidth restrictions brought about digital music and people pay $20,000 to try to imitate the sound you could get from a $300 tape deck or $200 turntable with a $100 cartridge. This is a rich man site where people think buzz words and price tags rule. Most people can’t find a place to hear these brands, much less afford them and are ridiculed for not selling the farm to get a “better” something in their system. Thinking rich people have better ears is like the emperor’s new clothes. Buy steak, not sizzle and you can enjoy the music for the music rather than sit with a frown on your face because you THINK you could do better. |
