Mike, I'm honestly not sure what you're talking about. Prior to this survey I had in mind two likely candidates for me personally to buy. I never made any decision.
This survey opened my experience to numerous other DACs.
I am not applying any diminishing returns factor whatsoever. I am not applying any decision analysis overlay for me personally whatsoever. I am simply trying to discern sonic differences between and among these contending components.
I think the fact that I am not trying to use this process to arrive at a decision for me personally makes me maximally objective.
I do agree with you that the decision of the person doing the buying may make that decision a more interesting and persuasive data point.
i see a subset of listeners who are serious Wadax intenders, who are open to actually buy one, as coming to the party open handed.
then i see the others who are not serious Wadax intenders as carrying their baggage of prior opinions and relationships. these can effect their views. especially since the price of the Wadax has the potential to effect their neutrality.
it's just the way it works. always.
none of the Munich Wadax deniers were actually serious Wadax intenders. no problem, but they are more likely to be affected by the price negatively. and it's natural and understandable. "i don't care anyway one way or the other, and at that price it's not as good as my turntable, or i prefer discs, or my dog ate my homework".
so my first question is always; are you seriously considering to buy the Wadax with your own money? then; i pay attention to what they
DO. extreme prices do have these effects, especially in a product category with so many alternatives and alliances involved.