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

@sns  He’s speaking to the well heeled audiophile and non audiophile, also to those who aspire to have the very best....Over time, if there i truly is new technology at work here, it will eventually trickle down into the more affordable category. So unless you believe audio hasn’t progressed, this is how it works.

Gotcha. I do believe audio has progressed, and I suspect DACs have gotten a lot better, relatively recently.

Let me clarify my point a bit so that my target is a bit more in focus, and then agree with you in two different ways.

First, my point is that if there is a difference to be heard at this price point, anyone who listens to it (however well-heeled they are) has to have a room dialed in so that it can be heard. I guess I have not come across very many audiophile rooms that are dialed in (room, gear, etc.) to the point where the difference between a $50k DAC and a $20k DAC would be perceptible. But I grant your point that they’re out there. (Oh, and a well-heeled audiophile would also have to be disciplined enough to avoid confirmation bias, placebo effect, in addition to having a dialed-in room. So, probably even fewer of those out there. Still, they exist.)

Your second point about trickle down technology is excellent. If what is needed for technology to progress is for engineers to reach way beyond current budgets to make improvements, then this is how it will happen. 

My only caveat to the latter point is this: sometimes companies and their engineers go on wild goose chases – spending a lot of money and time on something which does *not* result in clearly better results. The problem is, with for-profit companies, they often do not want to disclose that (to try to recoup some costs) and proceed to hype it and sell it as if it was a success. (That’s where compliant journalism and helpful algorithms come in.)

In such cases of hyped failures, there's no trickle down and, one might even argue, there is a backlash effect that makes people skeptical about the whole audiophile venture. Only journalists (or some kind of regulatory agency, LOL) willing to call B.S. on meaningless products can help the public see that.

I have been hesitant to wade into this discussion because there seems to be a fair amount of negativity surrounding the particular subject. And, a lot of belief that may or may not be supported by direct evidence. 

Can you hear the difference a more expensive DAC brings? While I’m sure there are units that do not bring more to the table, in my case, they did. My first “good” DAC was the Auralic Vega G2.1. I was fully satisfied with it and felt I was done. My dealer suggested I audition the T+A DAC 200. Smart dealer. I purchased it after an extensive (2 week) audition at home. I sold the Auralic and again felt I was done.

After about a year, then that same dealer had me try the T+A SDV 3100 DAC . At first I was disappointed because it didn’t sound better out of the box - but it wasn’t broken in. It is now fully broken in and I sincerely doubt there is anyone on this thread that would not easily prefer the more expensive unit. The DAC 200 is very, very good - certainly the best I’ve heard in its price bracket. Many others feel the same. It’s a special DAC. Yet, the new unit is better in every way. It’s not my imagination. Nor is it confirmation bias at work. I had justified upgrading because I fully intended to put the DAC 200 in a separate system. But, I’ve been so pleased with the new unit that I bought another one for that system when I found one pre-owned (very lightly used for a headphone system only) and will be selling the DAC 200.

My rooms are not heavily treated though I’m attentive to network details and have done what I can on setup. But, yes you can hear the benefits of better DACs. Of course, I’m skeptical like many of you. Some units are expensive eye candy. And some are not my cup of tea. But, others truly are better. Measurably and audibly, and demonstrably so. 

It would have been better for my wallet were it not true.

@hilde45 Good points. As for the professional reviewer vs amateur/owner reviews. I presume at a certain level per this particular reviewer, he has access to virtually all audio components at all price levels. So, I'd suggest this kind of reviewer will have much less attachment to the equipment, one pretty face can be easily replaced by another. Now there is the question of financial incentives with prof. reviews and reviewers. As for the amateur/owner reviews, I'm always mindful of the possibility of attachment/confirmation bias with this, the idea being we present/believe our choices based solely on objective analysis.

As for the expensive flavor of the month component. The test of time will bring out the true value.

For those who can afford a $50K and higher DAC, more power to them. I hope they enjoy them immensely.  But if I could afford a $50K DAC, I’d have to ask myself if I’d be happier just staying all analog via LP and eliminating any digital mess at all? I mean, if you can afford a $50K DAC, you likely could afford buying a few LPs. At $30 a pop, for the same amount of money you could buy 1666 LPs and listen in all their analog glory, not worrying about zeros and ones at all. If each LP lasted about 40 minutes, then you'd have over 1100 HOURs of music to enjoy.