Best DACs under $50k

This thread devolved into a discussion of who would spend that on a DAC. In this (sometimes insane) world of high end audio, it’s almost too easy to spend 20k on one piece of gear. 50 on a dac does seem a little silly given the speed at which tech changes. However, for folks making 7 figures, with minimal debt, that may not be a huge expenditure


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Phishphan said:
This thread devolved into a discussion of who would spend that on a DAC. In this (sometimes insane) world of high end audio, it’s almost too easy to spend 20k on one piece of gear. 50 on a dac does seem a little silly given the speed at which tech changes. However, for folks making 7 figures, with minimal debt, that may not be a huge expenditure


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Threads like this should be fun. Audio is the only hobby I know where an expensive high end product and their owners are met with fierce criticisms.

You don't see it in the automotive world. A reasonably minded adult car enthusiast who drives a Mustang GT(Great car btw) wouldn't go on a Ferrari forum and blast the owners for spending that much. You could have bought a few Corvettes for that price etc!

But, we have in the audio world. Maybe its anger directed towards the costs of some of these products and their perceived value by some.

In the end, its all relative as some of the other postings have stated. You can own a Select II and drive a Honda or you can own a Yggy and drive a Lamborghini.

Doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it in good health.
 
Back to the Threads Original Topic,

I would suggest the Playback Design Dream Series (MPD-8) if you are after after a musical enjoying listening session Fatigue Free.
 
mdp632 said:
Threads like this should be fun. Audio is the only hobby I know where an expensive high end product and their owners are met with fierce criticisms.

You don't see it in the automotive world. A reasonably minded adult car enthusiast who drives a Mustang GT(Great car btw) wouldn't go on a Ferrari forum and blast the owners for spending that much. You could have bought a few Corvettes for that price etc!

But, we have in the audio world. Maybe its anger directed towards the costs of some of these products and their perceived value by some.

In the end, its all relative as some of the other postings have stated. You can own a Select II and drive a Honda or you can own a Yggy and drive a Lamborghini.

Doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it in good health.
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Mark, but this is a GENERALIST forum, so you analogy is not great. This is not a MSB forum where you have Chord people coming on to bash the price of a Sel 2. Therefore, you will see dissenting views of all types, BUT if we bear in mind that this is not that serious, then we can still maintain a fun perspective. No matter what ones opinion is, it's nice to Have Schitt and MSB products out there for people to choose from and discuss about. Variety is the spice of life.
 
wisnon said:
Mark, but this is a GENERALIST forum, so you analogy is not great. This is not a MSB forum where you have Chord people coming on to bash the price of a Sel 2. Therefore, you will see dissenting views of all types, BUT if we bear in mind that this is not that serious, then we can still maintain a fun perspective. No matter what ones opinion is, Its nice to Have Schitt and MSB products out there for people to choose from and discuss about. Variety is the spice of life.
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My name isn't Mark but, perhaps you have me confused with another member with a similar username? Correct, this isn't a serious thread but, from my perspective my post was exactly what i encounter reading these forums. Only happens in audio hobby; where we have this anger and vitriol towards higher end expensive stuff and people that own or want to purchase such products.

Doesn't happen in cars, motorcycles, watches, fine wine, cigars.. you name it.

Everyones comes together for each respective hobby. Regardless if they perceive value or can afford XYZ etc... There is always an appreciation for the higher end and more exclusive.

In audio; not so much. Again from my perspective but, your mileage of course may vary.
 
mdp632 said:
Doesn't happen in cars, motorcycles, watches, fine wine, cigars.. you name it.

Everyones comes together for each respective hobby. Regardless if they perceive value or can afford XYZ etc... There is always an appreciation for the higher end and more exclusive.

In audio; not so much. Again from my perspective but, your mileage of course may vary.
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I guess it depends on what forums you are frequenting. I have been on both sides myself. I will never ever tell anyone that they are foolish for buying X, if they can afford it and enjoy it. I will voice my opinion that it might not be 50x better than Y, but now I better understand the last 5% of Audio Nirvana.

It does happen with Watches, Cars, and other items. I post on another forum that is 80% dumpster divers and Vintage enthusiasts who regularly berate those who purchase modern gear, cables other than Radio Shack and so on. Then you find some of those same people talking about their watch collection. A Rolex doesn't tell time any different than a Timex, but some people enjoy expensive watches while others will spend the money on audio gear.

That said, I feel extremely lucky to have ever even heard a $50K DAC. Ever since that day with Lampi gear and Pure Audio speakers, my system sounds like crap. But it really doesn't, the other gear is just better. If I wanted to forsake my retirement, I could buy one but in reality it's not in my cards because I can't fully justify it, for me. I did gain a much bigger appreciation for what a $50K DAC can do and that it did sound truly awesome.

I may question people, and point out the obvious, but I never tell anyone they are foolish for buying whatever it is that makes them happy. Plus, I would never get the chance to hear all this great gear if people did not buy it or have Demo Days for those who maybe can't.

Good thread overall.



acnt
acnt
 
I moved away from Whatsthebest forum for this very reason. Bunch of Lunatics in the industry. I hope the same thing does not happen on this forum.
 
mdp632 said:
My name isn't Mark but, perhaps you have me confused with another member with a similar username? Correct, this isn't a serious thread but, from my perspective my post was exactly what i encounter reading these forums. Only happens in audio hobby; where we have this anger and vitriol towards higher end expensive stuff and people that own or want to purchase such products.

Doesn't happen in cars, motorcycles, watches, fine wine, cigars.. you name it.

Everyones comes together for each respective hobby. Regardless if they perceive value or can afford XYZ etc... There is always an appreciation for the higher end and more exclusive.

In audio; not so much. Again from my perspective but, your mileage of course may vary.
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I hear ya, but as I live in the Geneva area, I can disagree about watches in everyday life, if not on forums. All my "watch" buddies agree in discussions that with watches, ones needs predigree and workmanship. In the late 1990s, a lot of ex-bankers were doing luxury watch start-ups and charging upwards of 15 grand! Many flopped. The reasoning then was "who are you and what is your claim to fame". The only newbies (I recall) to make it on their own generally were people like Roger DuBuis who worked as lead designers for a big name before and the brand that started as in-bond/duty free on airlines, Raymond Weil (similar history).

The big groups like LVMH, Swatch and Richemont were able to push thru some other non-pedigreed brands thru sheer brute market power...like Mont Blanc (still a Pen maker in my eyes) and Bulgari (a silk scarf brand). They may be made by expects OEM suppliers and have nice styles, but I still cant take them seriously!! LoL

Still, as I said above, its better to have them on the market than not. I don't mind more choice...just wont pat top dollar ever for a scarf or pen around my wrist. LoL
 
mep said:
You would think if you are above the age of 18 and join an audio forum, you would have some semblance of a stereo system.
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Make-believe stereo systems by drive-by reviewers is quite an interesting topic for discussion.


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I am not even sure if I have ever heard any one of the $50k DACs mentioned here.
I visited a few audio shows in the past and while it is likely that some rooms exhibited one of those DACs mentioned my recollection is that many of the best systems were playing analog (tapes and LPs).
Some folks may feel that spending that much money on a "whatever" is too much. Others may feel that life is too short and why not.
To each its own. All is good.
 
Lets put dacs In 4 tiers below are brands that have models below 50k
4 being most expensive and 1 cheapest

All dacs are effected by source this greatly effects the cost by sound quality.

A level 4 has various complex ways to make it less sensitive to its source.
Some even have a complete source inside with internal storage or extra steaming from a nas

Others use Isolation , hi tech psu , clocks and internal RE clockers
But even these are effected by sources to but very much less so.
Msb , dcs and others lead this and they do give a tricle down tech to lower models

Tier 3
This is dacs that if supplied by an excellent source can approach the sound production of tier 4
But more sensitive to a source. Now some like LAMPI have network inputs that help close the gap with lesser sources to tier 4

Tier 2
This is where bargains can be found and one wound be surprised how close some can be to tier 3
A great source is a must to achieve this level of performance though.

Tier 1
Dacs that no matter what is done they don't rise To above there tier it's not that they are bad it's that they are lesser in performance
That is due to choices in design over all.

Now almost all of the above inprove if a good active preamp is used while some tier 4/3 have such preamps inside them. How much each one can be inproved would have to be tested case by case basis.

My list would be as follows in order of preference
top being best based on having a great sources for all.
Lampi pacific
Lampi GG2
dcs
msb



 
mep said:
You would think if you are above the age of 18 and join an audio forum, you would have some semblance of a stereo system.
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Well, I started out reading a bunch of print sources and joining online forums to research and ask questions before making my first "real" purchases.
 
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