Is the ''entry level'' DAC becoming extinct ?

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Ouch! Ghasley, I think I need to get out more. I had no idea that others were doing this. Thanks for the heads-up. Questionable indeed. Dac 8, Reference Dac & CD9 might canibalize each other.
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Mitch, no worries and no ouch intended.

I remember looking 10 years ago at Wadia 861se and Cary 306-200 cd players thinking that they were future proof with all of those inputs. Of course neither had usb inputs, no one did.

The Wadia was pretty special....still sells for close to its original price on the used market, thats saying something for a digital source.

Again, the thing thats really cool to me is that $300 dac's available today would have cost thousands 10+ years ago.

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Ghasley, no offense taken. I just had to chuckle at myself at how I have been so cloistered with Audio Research gear. I love their preamps and cd players and I had dared not look at any other mfg for years. I love their sound and I have not bothered to look elsewhere. I would probably have their amps too if I were into tube amps...but solid state amps are the only way to go for me.
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