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- #301
Well by being rational we can figure out how far it makes sense to take it. Now people who rationalize that is another thing altogether. So if we put together metrics for a transparent DAC, and we know what is sufficient, then we can see what meets those criteria. Anything more is not for performance. That doesn't mean there aren't other good reasons. That is why I am interested in Amir's reviews of budget DACs. He has crossed a couple of really cheap ones off the list for serious audiophiles. I have presented one that fails a bit. I am of course hoping he finds some that are sufficient for little money. I know of some for $350 to $500 that do the trick. Spending more is not for performance.
Keep getting that message out, let people hear it and in time maybe most of those other products aren't the status symbols they seem currently. People can spend money as they wish, but I feel high end audio has become a case where a significant portion of the money in that market goes for things of no consequence. One result is harm to working products that move things forward.
So for instance I right now have one DAC that cost me $350 I would not be ashamed of dropping into any system. There are some DACs for around $1 k and maybe $2k that I might consider purchasing for other reasons. Beyond that I don't know. We need to get the point across that $2k doesn't get you 90% of the way there, it gets you all the way there.
I do remember Wilson demoing their second most expensive speaker at a big high fi show in 2004 to much accolades. They revealed the last day the actual source for it all was a then current iPod. Lots of motivations and effects one could examine there. I think the main worthy one is with modern digital gear the place to spend the money is the place that can really make the difference and that is speakers.
Good post.
If I was to make a list of recommendations over the most rational way to achieve good sound as I see it now, it would go something like this:
1) Big listening room with high ceilings (high celings most important actually), if can afford
2) Good speakers - best practice IMO implies low distortion, even dispersion with frequency, good dynamic abilities and phase coherent active crossovers (beyond that, there is no "correct way" I believe - electrostats, omnis, dynamic dipoles, monkey coffins, horns... they all have their merits)
3) Good placement of speakers and listening position
4) Room eq/correction in the bass region, above that optional, according to taste
5) Sufficient amplifier headroom, depending on speaker/driver sensitivity
Beyond that, other things pale in importance. Still, I'm currently agnostic as to what constitutes "good enough", and what things may represent actual and objective improvements. How good a dac can still improve the experience? What about amplifiers? Etc. I tend to go for no nonsense budget solutions in the electronics department, and there's no doubt that the traditional box oriented audiophilia has gotten everything backwards. But I don't feel certain that we know all there is to know about how electronics etc work, and how it may affect the listening experience.
(edited: added a couple of points to the list)
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