Six DAC Comparison

I didn't include the Weiss DAC204 on my list below because of the low'ish price and because I haven't heard that much about it.  I do however like the simplicity, and that you have a choice of 88.2 or 176.4 kHz sample rates, which are multiples of 44.1, instead of the more typical 48kHz and 96kHz.

I did look up Michael Lavorgna's review at Twittering Machines and thought his comment below regarding the Weiss DAC204 compared to his totaldac d1 unity was a good description of one of the main differences I often (but not always) hear when comparing moderately priced gear with much more expensive gear, and also answers a question that often arises on this forum being, what do you get for more money?  As he implies, even little differences can affect the level of listening enjoyment. He wrote:

"Finely detailed and as sweet as honey, the Weiss DAC204 proved to be more than up to the level of refinement this system has to offer and the main difference I noted between the $2895 Weiss and the > $12k totaldac d1-unity was one of body and weight—the totaldac imbued music with a greater sense of dimensional structure making everything sound a bit more full figured, more fully formed and fleshy. While this difference wasn’t huge in ultimate terms, I find when I’m in the listening zone even minor differences can be important."

@mitch2 Thanks for sharing the link to that power supply.  That is the first time I have seen a picture.  That is definitely not the base level power supply.  I know the base level external power supply doesn't come with chokes.  The nice thing about the external power supplies is that they can be easily upgraded just by having another sent.  Same goes with the future models of the Mojo Audio DAC's.  I think that is definitely the way to go.  

Not interested in any of these DAC’s, as I am happy with mine, but really admire and appreciate your obviously many hours of hard work (and fun?) in comparing these units @mitch2 .

@mitch2

You describe the difference between the less costly and more costly dacs in terms of a "bit" of this, a "bit" of that.

I’m wondering how good a system must be to reveal these small differences.

We are talking about the law of diminishing returns here, no?

Just to be clear. I’m not in any way denigrating or doubting what the more costly DACs offer. I’m merely wondering whether choosing a 4K DAC, I’d actually be aware something was "missing". There’s obviously only one way to find out.

@stuartk

"We are talking about the law of diminishing returns here, no?"

I would not argue with that. IME, the relationship between cost vs. performance is more logarithmic than linear. As you move along the curve, it begins to take more money to achieve smaller gains. However, from my post yesterday, I quoted reviewer Michael Lavorgna, "While this difference wasn’t huge in ultimate terms, I find when I’m in the listening zone even minor differences can be important." I agree with his point that for some, it may be worth the extra money to achieve certain specific, small to moderate sonic improvements.

The trick IMO is to figure out your personal, "good enough". Sometimes that limit where a system is "good enough" is defined solely by one’s wallet. Other times, it occurs when the entire system reaches an equilibrium where all the components and speakers are equitable from a price/performance relationship and the result sounds good enough to be enjoyable without further upgrading. When a system achieves that level of equilibrium, one further upgrade may set into motion the need for another whole round of upgrades until the equilibrium is achieved again. Finally however, some are never satisfied and continue to chase their personal vision of the "absolute sound."

"Just to be clear. I’m not in any way denigrating or doubting what the more costly DACs offer. I’m merely wondering whether choosing a 4K DAC, I’d actually be aware something was "missing". There’s obviously only one way to find out."

Only you can make that decision for you. Of the DACs I have compared, I have no doubt many will be perfectly happy with the LTA Aero DAC and many others are already happy with the Benchmark DAC3. However, out of the group, and in my world, the top three are ahead of the rest. Although I could live with all of them, I prefer the two Mojo Audio DACs and the Merason, which has really continued to impress me. Of those three, I will not keep more than two. The SMc Audio DAC, which I will be keeping, is not far behind the three mentioned but will probably not make it into my main system except as an occasional visitor, simply because I enjoy the others just a little bit more.