Yes, there are considerable distinctions between DAC's including the ones/models mentioned.
And you'd be right: If a $10K DAC doesn't blow away a $5K one, what's the point ?
But this talk of "you'll get 90-99% performance/SQ from a $2K -or$5K DAC than a waaay more expensive one makes no sense...
RE:
Sep 13, 2013
#2
The conventional wisdom is they sound better (no big surprises here). The question is how much better and at what price difference, and how fast is price performance improving.
I was slightly disheartened to read the Stereophile review of the new $3500 Marantz NA11-S1...
Hmmm ... in which case brings us full circle:
" ...I don't care if a DAC sounds "analog" or not. I take unamplified live music as reference, and that is what a DAC should sound like, as much as possible. And that's what an analog set-up should sound like, too." (???)
So, you don't care if a...
I'm reminded of a photography analogy: " ..A photograph does not (cannot) replicate the real thing ".. yet we can certainly appreciate the attempt and judge its authenticity based on other interpretations -and ultimately what it captures or how it resonates with our senses.
In other words, it...
That makes no sense:
" ...I don't care if a DAC sounds "analog" or not. I take unamplified live music as reference, and that is what a DAC should sound like, as much as possible. And that's what an analog set-up should sound like, too."
How can that possibly make sense ? Your "reference" (for...
Oh my .... such humble beginnings ....and how times/perceptions have changed (within a single generation):
https://www.stereophile.com/content/msb-link-dac-iii-da-converter-page-3
EXCERPT:
Encore
" ...I thought the original MSB Link was an unbeatable value. I was wrong. The Link III is...
It appears universally agreed upon that MSB DAC's are 'Primo' (top-notch) .... and priced accordingly. However, if a/the second power-supply contributes that significantly to performance -and by all accounts it does- then MSB should see to it to include "the second P/S" within the same chassis...
... And the same goes for the comparively tiny circuits/DAC of some highly regarded units, such as Chord (Electronics) and HRT models.
Looking back (from 1982), it ihas become increasingly apparent that 'digital' signal processing benefits greatly by very-smalll signal
paths, and naturally...
RE: 'BREAK-IN' (Initial; first week-or-so):
Power 'ON'; warm up/run for several hours. Power OFF (for 15-20 minutes), Power back ON/few hours, OFF, REPEAT.
This I've found accelerates Break-in considerably; gear, cables, etc.
pj
RE: " ....given how fast digital moves, probably in the next 2-3 years there will be a new server that will be better than both CX+EX and would rather not have spent large amounts on more than one box. "
No kidding.
Nicely articulated.
pj
LOL. Yes ! ...actually, 4-years is rather good/recent for me !
Even so, the same would apply today -firm concrete/marble/slate foundation.
Be well
peter
Looks great ! Thanks for sharing.
A few Rec's":
1) Give your 'sub-woofers' the same platform as the main speakers -and add some 'footer;s.
2) Consider VTL 300/400 series modular racks (304 =Tripod style/404 = four pillar/posts -more
stable).
These are modular, (stack-able) economical...
Then it was. And here we are. Great stuff. Interestingly, there was earlier mention of 'Carver's Sonic Holocaust', and lest we
forget the forgettable (regrettable) attempts by the 'Polk' group back in the 90's (-80's?).
These attempts and controlling inter-channel acoustic cross-talk -via...
Hi Ken: Thanks for the reply. Yes, I read that too -here on WBF.
That was my point (to MSB). Might be a good idea to say as much
on their (MSB) website -as opposed to learning of it here/ hi-fi forums.
pj
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