The cost of building this.
Some of that will be the chips used.
Some will be the more general electronics (power supply, etc.).
Some will be the...what shall we call it? The acquired and matured knowledge as to what work and what doesn’t.
Wherever we are now, the price of the DAC chips is reducing, and the knowledge on how to create a good ‘un is improving, too.
And we’re getting near the limit. Whichever way you look at it, if this isn’t it, it’s not far off.
A DAC chips which costs the same but is a hundred times ‘better’ isn’t going to sound much better, if at all.
Similar things are happening with amps.
So forget about 4, or even 5 figure turntables, and pricier monoblocks.
We’re approaching a stage where, if you get your music from digital (streaming/CD rips), you’ll need a £100-£200 DAC, a £200 amp, and the only choice for a big spend in speakers and headphones.
I might be wrong.
Discuss.