Can you compare the PC>USB>DACMagic sound vs the Sony>(did you use toslink or coaxial?)>DACMagic sound? Any difference?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Praise for DacMagic
Just wanted to give some very positive feedback for the Cambridge Audio DacMagic DAC. It doesn't seem to get much attention around these forums, but I am enjoying it immensely. In my opion, terrific value for the money.
During the past few weeks, I have used it with great success both within a PC music server and 2-channel environments.
Who knows, I may end up switching it out for a better DAC in the future, but for now I am quite pleased.
As a side note, I was not impressed with it at first when used to enhance an NAD C541 CDP. On a whim, I switched out the NAD for a modest Sony DVD player that is around 5-7 years old. Then, everything came into place and the music was rich and detailed. The Sony DVD/DacMagic combination blew the doors off the NAD/DacMagic combination. Go figure...
During the past few weeks, I have used it with great success both within a PC music server and 2-channel environments.
Who knows, I may end up switching it out for a better DAC in the future, but for now I am quite pleased.
As a side note, I was not impressed with it at first when used to enhance an NAD C541 CDP. On a whim, I switched out the NAD for a modest Sony DVD player that is around 5-7 years old. Then, everything came into place and the music was rich and detailed. The Sony DVD/DacMagic combination blew the doors off the NAD/DacMagic combination. Go figure...
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- 69 posts total
I also own a DACMagic and my experience is similar to yours. When I first received it, I hooked it up with a modestly priced Onkyo CD player which I used only as a transport. However, when I substituted a far more expensive Pioneer Elite universal player, the change was dramatically better -- and I am something of a skeptic about revolutionary changes in performance. Sam Tellig, in the May issue of "Stereophile", reports similar results when switching from a Marantz CD player to a more "robust" one manufactured by Denon. |
OT: Ihcho, I concur that the NAD player ( I have a 541 without the i ) is very good by itself. Back on topic, sort of : anyone using a DACMagic and wondering about the effect of a better transport might first try applying the tweaks I have used with success on the NAD, to wit : vibration-damping footers ( Bright Star or Herbie's ) and an isolation transformer for the AC. Final icing on the cake is a Herbie's Black Hole damper on the CD itself. Isonodes Herbie's feet Black Hole Isolation transformers can be found on eBay. 125 VA to 250 VA rating should be fine. |
- 69 posts total