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

Interesting thread. I’m an audiophile voyeur but a mid-fi owner…and think my hobby benefits measurably from many threads here. From the perspective of available time, budget and living space size, I’m locked into making the most from digital sources, so DAC talk matters to me…followed by cable info :)

FWIW, the quality of my listening has gone up a lot by using the Auris Audifi WiFi Receiver, an amazing device for micro-dollars. The interface is phone based and can handle many hi-res music services at lossless file size. The ESS Sabre DAC inside seems to push a dynamic range that matches the potential of my AE Techron serviced 1984 Crown PS 200 (155 WPC into 4 ohm Wharfedale Lintons and a REL T5i with Mogami cables and interconnects.)

Thanks all for helping our household “listen way above our budget.”

Much of what is praised over at ASR is mediocre Chi Fi .    My former DAC , the RME adi2 was the darling of ASR until some cheap Chi Fi DAC bettered it's specs....and then that was the favorite of ASR

My current DAC is completely void of features , the only thing it does better than the adi2 is sound better.   That RME is good but the  excellent sounding LAB 12 DAC is much more engaging to listen to. 

@oddiofyl 

My current DAC is completely void of features , the only thing it does better than the adi2 is sound better.   That RME is good but the  excellent sounding LAB 12 DAC is much more engaging to listen to. 

Understood.  However, for some, it seems that sound quality and listening engagement/enjoyment are secondary concerns.

Charles 

@oddiofyl What else could you tell me about the Lab12? I've been intrigued by their products for a while. 

Here's a tangential question: Why does Tidal Master quality streaming through my Oppo/Schiit combo sound so much better than playing a CD through the same combo? I'm talking of identical releases of CD and streaming selection.