DAC improvement in AVRs in last 10 yrs?

[Marty McFly]

Has there been a significant upgrade in DAC technology, specifically in AVRs in the last 5-10 yrs?

The reason I ask is that many people fall for the placebo effect, thinking that $400+ external DACs provide a significant sonic upgrade. I have a 10 year old Yamaha receiver and I can honestly say that my external DAC does sound better at all sound levels (like 20-30% better).

Fast forward to 2013. Are modern mid-level AVRs equipped to rival many Sub $500 DACs? Has the performance to $ ratio decreased?

 

[M Code]

Absolutely...
This was due to the rapid increase of channels so the unit volume went up exponentially, specs got better and the price went way down..
Here is a real world example..
We have been involved in the sourcing/development of home theater and pro audio products for many years, and about 7 years ago while developing a higher end AVR for a major brand we decided to use an 96KHz AKM stereo DAC. This DAC was well proven in the pro products but when we gave AKM our qty projections its cost per DAC dropped from $5 to <$1. Note that the AVR was a 7.1 so we required 8 channels or 4 pcs of the AKM stereo DAC. Now from AKM an 8 channel DAC (1 chip) is available for <$1 when bought in significant qtys..

Just my $0.02...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think it has improved and matured to a point where DACs in AVRs are just as transparent as $2K outboard DACs.

 

[PENG]

Economy of scale, point of diminishing return, both have major influence on this very topic.