So, what you're saying is, somewhere out there, there might be a $600 AD/DA box that actually sounds pretty darned good because of a designer who knew what he/she was doing, just as there are $2000 boxes that are likely crap.
Isn't economy of scale a bitch?
As much as I would like Lavrys or some similarly expensive and nice-sounding kit, I'm afraid I'm locked into the sub-$1000 realm. I guess Lynx remains a good option, overall. A lot of people have talked about how much they like the Emu 1820M. I guess there's always the RME Multiface. I'd really like to audition a few of these things before making a final decision. I don't think I need any more than four ins and outs.
Right now, I have an old Seasound SoloEX system, which was designed by Tom Oberheim. Nice box, but unfortunately, mine is on its way out. It's pretty old, after all. I need to think about what will come next.
I'm a home studio guy, by the way. I'm used to having to compromise. Here's a question for you: In what areas of a home studio would you compromise, and where would you definitely not want to compromise?
Thank you!
PS - I brought up the "audiophile" stuff, because that is how some of the people who rave about the high-end converters come across to me: "My God! These thing rock! So much more open, better top end, everything! Night and day, I tell you! NIGHT AND DAY!!!" I have to wonder how much of that is psychosomatic because they just spent 10 times the money on converters than most people do, and they don't want to consider the possibility that they don't sound 10 times better.
I do not mean this as any kind of insult to you or Dan Lavry. You fill in a niche where it's needed, and most of the people who buy from you know they are paying so much more for that last 20% of performance, and accept that. Most of those folks are professionals who have set standards to live up to. I'm mostly directing my "vitriol" (such as it is) towards the people, like some on this board, who refuse to acknowledge guys like me as being in any way serious because we just can't spend as much money as they do.