The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype

@jasonbourne71 , There’s a bit more nuance to a dac than distortion, sinad, transparency whatever. They can quite significantly change a soundfield, spatial cues, perceivable detail with dsp tricks (fpga, etc).

Get a simple Creative soundcard and try the different tweaks on their dsp engine.

I have a couple of prepros that will let you create a very different experience everyday if one wanted (through dsp).

But, since the vulture priced dacs are typically sold to "purist" guys who are a bit technologically challenged, the dsp tricks.."flavors" are more hidden away.

A DAC is basically a sound card. Expensive DAC’s are trophies for the gullible rich to impress their clueless buddies!

I’ve owned multi-thousand dollar DACs but these days I use the $400 Topping E70 Velvet. 
 

IME, there is no point in using an expensive DAC unless, perhaps, your system is anchored by >$20K speakers. Speakers are the weak link in the vast majority of systems. More specifically, the drivers in said speakers are the weakest link. 

Really there is no point in using a >$300 DAC unless your speakers are equipped with something like Scanspeak Revelator or SB Satori drivers. Even then….🤔
 

I don’t believe hype and I don’t believe reviewers either. I just listen to different devices and decide for myself.

The Audio Alchemy is a great unit. At one point I had 2 in different systems. The Elac unit is also good and is Bluetooth and roon enabled.