When Will the DAC Singularity Be Reached?

I have two CD players (both decode HDCD), one Krell CD250/2 from around 2000 and an Emotiva ERC-3 from around 2015. Also have one SACD player, a Marantz SA KI Ruby from around 2018. I have 3 DACs, a Resolution Audio Quantum from the late 90’s, a PSA PerfectWave Mk II from the mid 2010’s, and a Black Ice Glass FX tube DAC from around 2020. I also have 2 transports, a Jay’s Audio CDT3 Mk III and a PS Audio PW Transport (now retired). All of them are hooked up to my Krell KRC-2 preamp. I’m running a Krell KSA 300S with Thiel CS6 speakers. I can compare these DACs and players very easily.

With my system and my ears all of these players and DACs sound remarkably similar. Sometimes I can hear subtle differences but nothing dramatic. In my experience good quality, well reviewed digital components have a narrow range of sound quality. In other words, they all sound good. I could live long term with any of these pieces but my audio nervosa keeps me buying new stuff. My next purchase is probably going to be an Audio Mirror Tubadour IV SE DAC to see what all the hoopla about NOS ladder DACS is all about. I’m really hoping that it sounds different.

Does anyone on this thread have a link to a documented blind test that shows that listeners can tell DACs apart if they don’t know which one they are listening to? I have never seen such a test and I suspect that I know why.

I recently listened to a $69k DAC is a Boulder system and everything sounded glorious!  But did the DAC sound $67k better than my Pontus ll?  

@8th-note , I participated in an informal -formal DAC blind test around 2000. Can't remember all the models, but we could tell differences. It was not easy, but they were there. I had a Lampizator through here for a while, model 7 if I remember, it had a noticeable sound to it. It was not my thing. I have had a Mola Mola Tambaqui in my system which some claim is one of the best DACs made, but both standalone and fed from the Lyngdorf digital output, could I honestly say it sounded better or even different compared to my other DACs? No, and I really wanted to 🤗. I liked the way it looked. Had a PS audio in system for a few weeks too. Was fun to play with the filters. They sounded different. But then it just felt like work so I left it on the basic one, which was the best anyway.  I am now down to some pretty pedestrian DACs, and don't have any regrets. Did the merry-go-round, and found out the grass was not greener, and just varied with the angle of the sun. I think today you could set up a blind test and pick 10 DACs that all sound different, or 10 DACs that sound all the same. For me, there are enough variables without worrying if my DAC is adding something I don't want or not so I go for the latter, ones that all sound the same. Call me boring. I am inclined to explore these filters again. I hear you can accomplish the effect in Roon. Would save me getting up and hitting buttons.

I recently listened to a $69k DAC is a Boulder system and everything sounded glorious! But did the DAC sound $67k better than my Pontus ll?

Well... put your Pontus in that Boulder system, listen to each dac for a week and let us know!

The following are not a secret to work out a how a Product is costed.

The Design for the Circuit and Topology, along with the Parts chosen are one factor used to create a end price for a mainstream audio device or a commission built design.

Add to this the Aesthetic Design, where depending on the styling, the end design can add a substantial increase to the pricing of the audio device.

How the product is packaged for shipping will also add to the costings.

Using a Supply Chain or dealing Direct as a means to reach a Customer is will also have a cost implication to be calculated.

What is not typically identified is the required Mark Up to cover the Companies Overhead, as a break even calculation.

Some Companies have a Policy of Over/Overs, with the latter being a cost included as a Buffer to cover a period of Bad/Slow Business, unfortunately the Loyal Customer or New Customer will be subsidising the Over/Over.

Then there is the Minimum Profit, There is for some Models a price tag is a close match to the above costing combined, and for other Models a Minimum Profit, that far surpasses the combined sum of all the above costings being created.

With a producer who's Marketing Intention being one that is substantially uplifting a Models Value, and then the same Model being available via a Supplier, that is wed to substantially adding monies to generate their Mark Up. It is very easy to see a product quickly find itself as being in the price range of Tens of Thousands. 

I have experienced through one to one conversation the Types of Mark Up a intermediate Supplier/Sole Importer, who has a very small overhead, is very happy to add to a offered product.

I have also had Bespoke Products built, even a DAC and once the Circuitry, Topology and Parts are identified, a Case can be selected.

The budget for the Parts does seem to have a Cap, 'Pardon the Pun'.

The Budget for the Case is without limitation, the end design can be substantial if the monies are wanted to be spent.

Add the time to be charged by the EE-Designer/Builder, and again a reasonable accuracy to a figure can be produced.

The Bespoke way certainly side steps ludicrous Mark Ups for a sale item.