Is it possible to find a good DAC for under $50, 000?

"The only way to tell a $50K DAC apart from a sub - $1K DAC is with your eyes."

@Jasonbourne71 - respectfully, it would be better if you used your ears.

@kennymacc It is one thing to have 50K for a DAC and it is another to buy one. And hate or envy has zero to do with it.

@kennymacc +1

The mention of high dollar gear sure brings out the annimosity in these threads. I don't understand the point.  Where do people think the trickle-down technology that goes into mid-priced gear comes from? Somebody has to buy the high-priced stuff or designers wouldn't be able to fund their time and costs necessary to bring us upgraded technology.  Is some of that money going for the name-brand, prestige, bragging rights, and bling factor - sure. However, as already pointed out, that is just the way it works with almost anything.

To quote the TV commercial for dog food:

”What are we doin’ here?”

I am not sure how one ties “envy” to the conversation of buying a $50k DAC? In my comment I stated (not knocking others here) with regard to my desire to spend a ceiling amount on audio equipment. There could be 1,000 reasons why someone would not spend $50k on a DAC and envy would be just one. Where does the assumption come in that “envy” would be the reason? It says something about anyone who would automatically assume this. Audio equipment is fun, it’s emotional, it’s important…. but it is also just boxes of wires. For anyone spending huge sums of money on something they like, great! I am all for it providing it does no harm to me or others and an uber expensive DAC is great, just not for me. Envy has zero to do with it.