Narnian
Active Member
The decision to use the TI DAC chips may have simply been pragmatic:
1. The AKM shortage not only drove up prices of other DACs but limited availability. Maybe Denon could not get other DACs in sufficient quantity. A legitimate reason but they should be transparent about it.
2. As noted it is likely there may not be an audible difference and they decided to go with what they had.
3. There are a number of other features that do justify a price increase (sub management, etc.) and, like it or not, inflation is still pretty high.
4. That said, the DAC downgrade and the lack of inclusion of Dirac would make me think $1,500 would have been a fairer price.
5. Also if the TI DACs are made in the US or the EU maybe this is a step to reducing issues with global market supply chains in these volatile times. Also if this is the case Denon should be transparent.
1. The AKM shortage not only drove up prices of other DACs but limited availability. Maybe Denon could not get other DACs in sufficient quantity. A legitimate reason but they should be transparent about it.
2. As noted it is likely there may not be an audible difference and they decided to go with what they had.
3. There are a number of other features that do justify a price increase (sub management, etc.) and, like it or not, inflation is still pretty high.
4. That said, the DAC downgrade and the lack of inclusion of Dirac would make me think $1,500 would have been a fairer price.
5. Also if the TI DACs are made in the US or the EU maybe this is a step to reducing issues with global market supply chains in these volatile times. Also if this is the case Denon should be transparent.