DACs over the last 5-8 years are MUCH better than before.
I would only buy used within this time frame.
Best,
E
I would only buy used within this time frame.
Best,
E
Is now a good time to buy a pre-owned DAC?
I imagine that many forum members build their systems by buying and selling pre-owned kit so they don’t incur large depreciation and can improve their system over time, as funds allow.
Buying 10-20 year old speakers can be a great way to get a high performance to cost ratio. I would also speculate that the same principle applies to most analogue power and pre-amps made in the last 10 years.
DACS are a clearly a very different a matter and I wouldn’t buy a 10 year old DAC so it’s tricky to know if it’s better to buy new or pick up something used.
In last five years, DAC technology has advance to a point where you can pick up some good kit ( really cheaply) and which offers such a high level of performance, that it may retain value for the future, because the technology is now advancing more slowly.
Is buying a preowned, 3-5 year old DAC, now a good idea?
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The only new DACs I have purchased are the Mytek Liberty (so I could see what all the MQA fuss was about) and the DAC in my OPPO HA1, which I have since sold. Both were about $1K. I spent about $500 more for a second hand Auralic Vega and it is in another league. I just bought a MHDT Orchid here that should arrive Friday. I'm looking forward to trying that out. I think there are good deals to be had in the 2nd hand market. |
The devil is in the details...which DAC, what price, etc. I bought a Mytek Manhatten I 3 years ago when it was under a year old for 80% of the original price and just sold it for about 55% of what I Paid and really enjoyed it for that time. I consider it a reasonable outcome, but when I tried explaining this to my wife, she was somewhat uncomprehending. Let’s just say that DACs have gotten really good in the last few years and there is some great gear to be had on the used market |
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It would be wise to wait until PS Audio release the TSS Two Chassis Super DAC, at which time there should be a glut of used DS and DS Jr. DACs for sale. |
