Higher End DACs

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Exactly. Such is the pain of the audiophile

Pain? It is supposed to be inspiration. One can never have the "best" as there is no such thing. If there is, it won't be for long.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Pain? It is supposed to be inspiration. One can never have the "best" as there is no such thing. If there is, it won't be for long.

I can see both sides. For me, "pain" is because I know that I can never afford or attain the best, or even the very top tier. But yes, I am inspired to try different brands when I hear a flagship product from that brand.

I know it's supposed to be fun and a journey to enjoy, but often times it becomes painful when you are buying and selling, losing money, trying things that don't work out, dealing with broken stuff when shipping used gear, etc. on and on. Don't get me started

[SAM992]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

"Everything is good, until you compare it to something better”

that was my mistake.... was perfectly happy with the PS Audio then I walked into a dCS dealer just to hear what all the fuss was about... hearing the Bartok I was sold... but the cost scared me at first... then hearing the Vivaldi I was floored... but the cost really sent me running..

How I wound up with the goldielox Rossini is a matter of not being able to un-hear the Vivaldi but realizing that unless I take out a 2nd mortgage, I have to "settle" for the Rossini

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I can see both sides. For me, "pain" is because I know that I can never afford or attain the best, or even the very top tier. But yes, I am inspired to try different brands when I hear a flagship product from that brand.

I know it's supposed to be fun and a journey to enjoy, but often times it becomes painful when you are buying and selling, losing money, trying things that don't work out, dealing with broken stuff when shipping used gear, etc. on and on. Don't get me started

The world would be a very boring place if we all could attain the best. The objects of desire are nothing more than a distraction and a temporary pacifier as one starts to look for another toy shortly after. In all reality, music can be enjoyed over a cheap transistor radio, everything else is just irrational exuberance.

I really do mean that.

Sure, it is nice to listen to music on a great system and I have been there myself many times. I have a much more modest system now which makes me just as happy and I still enjoy the late night listening sessions in my favorite pair of headphones. Magical in fact when the mood is right and the whole setup is under $2k.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by SAM992

that was my mistake.... was perfectly happy with the PS Audio then I walked into a dCS dealer just to hear what all the fuss was about... hearing the Bartok I was sold... but the cost scared me at first... then hearing the Vivaldi I was floored... but the cost really sent me running..

How I wound up with the goldielox Rossini is a matter of not being able to un-hear the Vivaldi but realizing that unless I take out a 2nd mortgage, I have to "settle" for the Rossini

Question... Did you listen to that $24K DAC within the context of your system? I'm not telling you how to spend your money, just curious, did your dealer ask you what your system was before he suggested a $24K DAC with McIntosh bookshelf speakers?

[SAM992]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Question... Did you listen to that $24K DAC within the context of your system? I'm not telling you how to spend your money, just curious, did your dealer ask you what your system was before he suggested a $24K DAC with McIntosh bookshelf speakers?

I listened to it on Wilson Audio speakers that are a) too large for my condo and b)too expensive for my budget..

That said, if by your comment I assume you have never head the XR50's.. frankly, they sound better than most speakers at 5 times their price point and size that I've heard... on a good speaker stand, they are downright amazing, and the bass is mind blowing with total clarity in the mid and high end... mind you with a 81db sensitivity that's to be expected.. These are arguably the best speakers McIntosh makes, as the others have competition in their size/price range that gives them a run for the money...

Realistically the time will come when I move into a larger space, and likely will upgrade to a larger speaker, but having to upgrade a DAC down the line isn't something I plan to do, not with the results I have heard now.

Edit.. the dealer for my McIntosh system was a Linn / Naim guy anyway... it was my own research and own doing to go with the dCS.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by SAM992

I listened to it on Wilson Audio speakers that are a) too large for my condo and b)too expensive for my budget..

That said, if by your comment I assume you have never head the XR50's.. frankly, they sound better than most speakers at 5 times their price point and size that I've heard... on a good speaker stand, they are downright amazing, and the bass is mind blowing with total clarity in the mid and high end... mind you with a 81db sensitivity that's to be expected.. These are arguably the best speakers McIntosh makes, as the others have competition in their size/price range that gives them a run for the money...

Realistically the time will come when I move into a larger space, and likely will upgrade to a larger speaker, but having to upgrade a DAC down the line isn't something I plan to do, not with the results I have heard now.

Edit.. the dealer for my McIntosh system was a Linn / Naim guy anyway... it was my own research and own doing to go with the dCS.

Quite the opposite... I have heard the XR50s. Hence my question.

The XR50s are a very good bookshelf speaker but one can easily argue that a $24K DAC would not be able to strut its stuff in that environment. I don't mean it as an insult, we all have our listening spaces, budgets, situations, etc to deal with. I'm simply offering a friendly observation and nothing more. It's your money, your system and your choice. If you were to ask my opinion, I'd say wait to blow such a stack until you have your other system in place that would justify it. But you know how it goes, we all have opinions...

[SAM992]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Quite the opposite... I have heard the XR50s. Hence my question.

The XR50s are a very good bookshelf speaker but one can easily argue that a $24K DAC would not be able to strut its stuff in that environment. I don't mean it as an insult, we all have our listening spaces, budgets, situations, etc to deal with. I'm simply offering a friendly observation and nothing more. It's your money, your system and your choice. If you were to ask my opinion, I'd say wait to blow such a stack until you have your other system in place that would justify it. But you know how it goes, we all have opinions...

my logic with everything I do is buy the best I can afford and fit into my life... trust me, if I didn't divorce the ex and give her the big house on the acre lot, I'd have XR200's in there or better yet Wilson Audio (even if I hate the way they look)... that said, in my 12x14 room, the XR50's are uber good enough to get my moneys' worth out of this DAC (actually $35000 DAC if. you include the clock and our crazy CA sales tax)..

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by SAM992

my logic with everything I do is buy the best I can afford and fit into my life... trust me, if I didn't divorce the ex and give her the big house on the acre lot, I'd have XR200's in there or better yet Wilson Audio (even if I hate the way they look)... that said, in my 12x14 room, the XR50's are uber good enough to get my moneys' worth out of this DAC (actually $35000 DAC if. you include the clock and our crazy CA sales tax)..

Oh yes, forgot the clock.

You and me both... LOL. Been there, done that, moved on.

Had my Wilson and D'Agostino phase and many pairs of other speakers and a bunch of other gear before that as well.

If one good thing came out of it, it is that I look at life with a very different set of eyes now. I mean that in a positive way.

As to digital... It is perhaps the most risky place to park your money as there are constant changes. Great speakers are timeless, as are great amps and preamps... Digital? NO.... It will also absolutely tank in value over the years as newer and better DACs hit the market.

[SAM992]

Originally Posted by PHC1

As to digital... It is perhaps the most risky place to park your money as there are constant changes. Great speakers are timeless, as are great amps and preamps... Digital? NO.... It will also absolutely tank in value over the years as newer and better DACs hit the market.

yes, very much on my mind and the fact that Rossini is 5 years old weighted on my mind... That said, it's still quite a bit upgradable in terms of digital formats that might come up (witness what they did for MQA).. and the sound is so good, that if it gets better with newer tech down the line, it's unlikely going to be enough to nudge me into losing 50% and spending another 50% to gain 1% improvement. Catch my drift?