When Will the DAC Singularity Be Reached?

No. There are DAC sonic advances at all price points, no evidence that cheaper can catch up with the more expensive offerings.  Higher quality parts within expensive components usually costs significantly more and is reflected in higher prices.  Also, cutting edge designs have significant R&D costs that have to be passed on to the customers.

One other word about improving DAC performance. It was recommened by Alvin Chee (owner of Denafrips distributor Vinshine Audio), that adding a Denafrips Iris between my Bluesound Node 130 and my Denafrips Pontus II DAC might improve overall performance. If it didn't work, I could sell it for not much less than the purchase price. Alvin has never steered me wrong, so I bought one.

What does it do? The Iris DDC (and I assume most DDCs), takes an input signal and filters it galvanically and optically to reduce jitter and noise. The Iris then re-clocks the signal prior to outputting (via I2S HDMI in my case) using a TCXO which is superior to the one in the Pontus II.

Does it work? Absolutely it does in my configuration. The SQ improvements were immediate and not subtle. Soundstage width and height were improved (but not depth), the noise floor was lowered and I could more easily separate instruments and hear detail that was not as obvious without it, it took away some of the sharp edges while at the same time allowing more detail in higher frequencies, and improved vocals beyond what I thought were already great qualities in the Pontus II through my Buchardt Audio S400 MKII speakers.

Others have shared with me that the improvement will be less noticeable when I migrate to a better streamer (Innuous, Aurender, Lumin, or the like) as they have a far superior treatment of the signal path.....less noise, less jitter, more stable clock, etc.....and I may find the Iris redundant in this scenario. We'll see when I get there

I lived through the same experience and reach the same conclusion...

I’m sure that better DACs exist with more modern chips, clocks, etc. but basically, they need to sound musically involving and have great resolution, not leaving anything musically important out. I’ve achieved that on the cheap and I tried $9K DACs also superbly constructed/art works but lacking in musicality (electronics design failed due to a noise laden conversion algorithm).

Exactly right ...Thanks to say it clearly..

What I don't understand is why some are so attached to this idea that to get the basic function right, it must take a lot of money?  Filters, tube output stages, and I am sure many more ways exist to create a differentiated sound. Attractive cases, nice displays, added functionality. So many ways to differentiate your product. Why the need to insist getting the basics right is expensive?

Cin Dyment: we both know very well you never owned such DACs. You don’t own any audio system. Maybe in your rhetoric trolling the audiophiles you hate so much, lies.

Sorry for the threadjack but....

Wait, THIS guy is all over the audio Facebook groups saying he has some long history of commercial audio experience, former director at Sony Electronics, went to Harvard, Berkeley, Tufts, and Rensselear...and he just...MADE IT ALL UP???

Man, if so, that dude is a piece of WORK.

Also, I have three DAC's...and even though it's limited to redbook, the Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 mkii sounds pretty damn good with those Ultra Analog DAC chips.

It's "smoother" than my Gustard X-26 Pro and compares favorably (read musical) to my Spring 2 KTE (which I recently sold to upgrade to a Holo Audio May).