Best DACs under $50k

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.
One would think to take notice to the fact he is smart mep. It's good to read plenty. Try to get who is giving honest facts to help you make your purchase. Or you can do as most all of us did spend a shiit load of money on shit that then you have to sell for buying one that don't sound like shiit
 
One would think to take notice to the fact he is smart mep. It's good to read plenty. Try to get who is giving honest facts to help you make your purchase. Or you can do as most all of us did spend a shiit load of money on shit that then you have to sell for buying one that don't sound like shiit

Nobody said he wasn't smart. How do you know when people are giving you "honest facts?" And isn't "honest facts" an oxymoron? And by the way, none of this has anything to do with my statement. Everybody on an audio forum has opinions. People usually recommend gear that they own when people ask for advice while trying to build a stereo system by committee. Unless you trust someone else's ears implicitly based on positive past experiences with them, just remember the old saying that the donkey was a horse designed by a committee.
 
any love for rockna? i'm only now starting to step into the higher end of dacs - unclear why i waited so long since digital is 100% of my listening.

i don't have my rockna yet but would be interested in reading any impressions and comparisons. build more excitement as i pace around waiting for delivery
 
any love for rockna? i'm only now starting to step into the higher end of dacs - unclear why i waited so long since digital is 100% of my listening.

i don't have my rockna yet but would be interested in reading any impressions and comparisons. build more excitement as i pace around waiting for delivery


A Potential client of mine compared the Aqua Acoustics Formula XHD to the Rocka Latest version. Whilst i thought Rockna was an excellent Dac, it came across fatiguing (slightly bright for my taste) for some reason it just did not feel relaxed. It was to my opinion a forward sounding dac, nevertheless it was very transparent.
 
A Potential client of mine compared the Aqua Acoustics Formula XHD to the Rocka Latest version. Whilst i thought Rockna was an excellent Dac, it came across fatiguing (slightly bright for my taste) for some reason it just did not feel relaxed. It was to my opinion a forward sounding dac, nevertheless it was very transparent.

thanks for the feedback...i tend to prefer a forward sound in terms of projection. i like when the soundstage protrudes out from the speakers. it's tough with solid state but doable. i don't love fatiguing though...unclear if anyone does. my friend likes his rockna more than his DAVE+mscaler so thats interesting for sure. his tastes run similar to mine but system is different currently, and even if it was the same the room is going to change a lot.

i see the formula gets alot of love in general. i was surprised by the stereophile review - it seemed like they found it closed in and on the dark side. wasn't surprised by the measurements - cars/watches/shoes, etc, i've rarely seen an italian engineered item measure well. aesthetically top notch though. no offense intended, just my personal experience and more tongue in cheek than anything else.
 
Actually the Formula threw a larger soundstage with more air between instruments. The Acoustic Space was larger and smoother with out the loss of transparency. Whilst the Rockna has a forward/Aggressive attitude by no means the formula sounded laid back it sounded more relaxed and flow the of music felt less stressed. If that makes sense to you.
 
i see the formula gets alot of love in general. i was surprised by the stereophile review - it seemed like they found it closed in and on the dark side. wasn't surprised by the measurements - cars/watches/shoes said:
Sometimes audio gear that measure well dont sound too well and those that dont measure well make better music the dilemma.
 
Nobody said he wasn't smart. How do you know when people are giving you "honest facts?" And isn't "honest facts" an oxymoron? And by the way, none of this has anything to do with my statement. Everybody on an audio forum has opinions. People usually recommend gear that they own when people ask for advice while trying to build a stereo system by committee. Unless you trust someone else's ears implicitly based on positive past experiences with them, just remember the old saying that the donkey was a horse designed by a committee.
Mep we all have to start somewhere and spending money is not the place. You review , how many products perform as other reviewers claim when you hear them.
There is so many factors to make our stuff good or bad.
Also it's very hard for a reviewer to do a completely honest review
one must be very inventive in doing them.
For me owner reviews are also very informative and hearing it in your place is not the be all end all either.
As for anything dac a source must be first
 
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