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?

128x128simao

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. 

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