Is there any such thing as a bad sounding DAC these days?

@curiousjim 

FYI, Last time l looked at TMR, they had a used La Scala. They accept returns although they now charge a 5% restocking fee.

Wow, just want to say, I wrote my comment almost defensively and hadn’t read the rest of the thread.  I was ready to be attacked by the ASR folks.  It’s refreshing to read comments by others who judge their sound system based on listening rather than graphs and charts.  I’m not anti measurement at all, but I do think pure objectivity is a very peculiar way to approach listening to music.  And I don’t love being attacked for liking something they don’t think I should like.  

Apologies for cluttering up the thread with an off topic post, but thank you for being accepting and, well, … having a conversation like actual audiophiles!
 

After reading some of these opinions, it's obvious that you just need to spend more and more to get the best sound. 

@ghdprentice : What DAC's from the early years of digital sound "hideous"? Inquiring minds want to know!

I agree that most DACs $500+ sound good.

What matters now is synergy with DAC and the rest of the system. My Benchmark DAC3B which is bright on top is incredible on my warm RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp. Not so great on more neutral gear I have owned.

I had the $24k Playback Designs Dream DAC in my sights but I had a nagging feeling it was not the best way to elevate the overall system since there are a lot of great DACs for a lot cheaper. I spent that money on my amp, a CODA #16, which was a very wise move. I got a Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC which has me totally happy with the DAC ($2800) and the PBD Dream is long forgotten.

What DAC’s from the early years of digital sound "hideous"? Inquiring minds want to know!

The Benchmark DAC1 is hideous compared to today’s DACs. I owned it for a long time, as well as the DAC2, DAC3 HGC.