I won't defend those pricing, I would never go for it, but at the end of the day X5, X10 compared to what? I don't really see the benefit myself of such a large battery powered "portable" DAC amp. but what I do see is that no portable battery powered in these pages seem to be performing better, unless I a missed it. When you are the very best at what you do, you can put any price you want, I am ok with this, If you want the top, and you have the dough for it, that's the prerogative of the fortunate For products to be overpriced. it means thew competition do the same for cheaper and then the market adjust itself and buyers will purchase with a choice, with information. So the question remains, if it's too expensive, I personally think it is but then other manufacturers may take a shot at doing this for cheaper. The only thing I can remember of a portable battery powered DAC AMP having similar power was the C Entrance M8, it performed pooorly, was 750$ and was extremely industrial/Utilitarian looking.
This is a review and detailed measurements of the CEntrance Hifi-M8 V2 portable headphone amplifier and USB DAC plus Bluetooth. It was kindly sent to me a member who waited over a year for it to ship! The Hifi-M8 V2 costs US $750. Yes, popcorn blew out of my nose too when I saw that price...
www.audiosciencereview.com
This is clearly better. I know there are maybe stuff from IFI and FIIO and of course not everything is measured here, but bottom line, when you're the champ, you deserve the big bucks, it's true with everything. I am not saying it's the champ, but if not who is, and only then we can say Chord is asking to much. They priced it that way, because they can, who would blame them, if no one went for it, they would price it lower. That's up to the industry to adapt.