I'm not loaded myself and only own a Few moderately high end things I'm just not under any delusional that budget gear can compete with hi end stuff. that ludicrous.
I can see how $150 topping e30 vs $1999 benchmark DAC can be somewhat justified:
- better enclosure: larger, heavier, shinier, better thermals
- more controls on the front
- balanced
- better emore
- better warranty
- better QA
- measures better, but indistinguishable to human ear in both cases
- better customer support (just assuming, never had issues with neither)
....
still sound the same to my ears.
Now take $50000 dac, can you justify that price increase over $2k benchmark? Most likely no. Unless you say again that benchmark is "boring", lol
Should you buy benchmark? If you can afford it, yes.
Does that mean benchmark is a better dac? Yes
Is benchmark better cause $2000 > $150? No
Is benchmark sounding better cause it's $2000? No.
Edit? Does benchmark sound better than topping? Lol, No.