[Jon L]

I found this review of Reimyo's CDT-777 transport and DAP-999EX DAC.

http://www.highfidelity.pl/!ev/artykuly/21_11_2008/reimyo_cdt_dap.html

All the way at the end, there are pictures of the internals of the DAC and what's in there:

"The analog output looks also nice – it starts with two Burr-Brown D/A converters, the PCM1704. Those are NOS units, used also by for example Wadia in their new players, like the 581SE. The I/V conversion is done on the OPA627 from BB, and the amplification and buffering – surprise, surprise – in the popular JRC5534 chips."

Nothing wrong with the analogue output stage per se, but for a $9000 DAC, I would have expected some special treatment of I/V stage and discrete output stage at least...

[JoshK]

Doesn't surprise me one bit.  A lot of higher prices components don't really seem to justify their prices tags with whats on the inside; some do, most don't.

[JoshK]

For $9000, I'd want, err demand, a fully discrete I/V and output stage done right.  Pedestrian opamps stages like this are easy enough to come by in $1,000 pieces.

[anthony a.]

parts is only part of the equation in price.  how much time and money was spend on research and development for this particular unit.  having heard this dac, it is phenominal.  expensive, yes.  if it took years of research and development and changes over and over again to get the circuit just right, then they price it according to that.  if they see it competes with units costing $30k, than why not have that price tag even though it only costs $500 in parts.  all of us would do the same if we were in that position and in the business.  were all mad cause we wich it could be had for $1k, but alas nothing in life is a steal.

[jon_010101]

parts is only part of the equation in price.  how much time and money was spend on research and development for this particular unit. 

Well, this tech sounds like what you'd find in a $1000 Denon... the difference is that Reimyo certainly won't be selling nearly as many units, so their engineering costs will be proportionately far higher.  Personally, I'd be happier buy a DCD-2000AE, a Yamaha CD-S2000, or a Cambridge 840C, and applying that money elsewhere in my system. 

[JoshK]

if it took years of research and development

Then I'd argue that they aren't very good engineers.  I think they have a market because there are enough folks who think like this.  I am not one of them so alas I'll look elsewhere.

Its not that I don't think it'd sound wonderful, I just don't think there is anything there that deserves such a price tag.  The placebo effect is strong after all.  If you spent a bundle on such a DAC, you'd hear how much better it was too.

[SET Man]

Hey!

   There are many ways to look at this. First if you can easily afford $9K than I don't think you would care much about this.

   As for cheap parts. As a DIYer I have to say that I will gladly use cheaper parts instead of a more expensive ones if that could give the result I'm looking for. Actually I've done that a few times on my own system when I subbed a more expensive part in and than have to take it out and put the old cheaper one back in because I didn't like the sound. Than I would say "Dang! I just wasted my money" 

   Anyway, in this so called Hi-End audio pricing is crazy if you ask me. The mark up is high considering how much those parts cost. Sad but true

    Too bad I don't have ton of money to help making decision easier. Luckily I'm a bit of a DIY and that help me get by

Take care,
Buddy

[anthony a.]

Its not that I don't think it'd sound wonderful, I just don't think there is anything there that deserves such a price tag.  The placebo effect is strong after all.  If you spent a bundle on such a DAC, you'd hear how much better it was too.

i agree with placebo in one way or another, but that can't be stated as absolute.  i have sold dacs that cost me $6k and went to the humble $500 mhdt paradisea because it sounded better in my system.  price and performance are 2 very different things.  likewise, i tried so many times to sell my expensive amps, pre's, etc. for cheaper offerings but couldn't because the more expensive stuff just sounded better.  the opposite can be true as well, depending on system synergy.  what i have found over the many years of audio that i have enjoyed (and changed close to 100 products), is that system synergy is what its all about, cables included.  reviews only go so far and people posting that x sounded like crap whereas y was amazing is completely useless to anyone unless they hear that specific component in their system.  plus, human ears are all different as well and many see music differently than others.  some like live performances or "in your face" others like mellow and relaxing.