Praise for DacMagic

Audiowoman, the music gets cleaned up. This can be apparent in different ways
but overall there's better resolution. This can lead to other perceptions, for
example: image fills out, becomes less flat. Leading edges of notes are clearer
so that instruments and rhythms too are better defined. Harmonics are sweeter
and timbres more natural. Soundstage gets bigger.

IME there is no downside to mechanical and electrical isolation/damping and the
cost is minimal for the improvement gained. They have to be regarded as tweaks
because there is the question of degree: they don't make as large an
improvement in the above areas as the right component upgrade. However they
are worthwhile tweaks, just as essential in my book as quality cables, and if an
upgrade ( or any other kind of grade ) does come along, they will work with the
new piece too.

4est,

I sure would like to hear what you think of the DacMagic vs the Benchmark DAC-1. Would you post your impressions once you get enough time with the DacMagic?

Thanks,
Dave

4est,

I would like to hear the difference between DacMagic vs DAC-1, initially i was thinking to buy Benchmark until the launch of DacMagic.

Currently, my CDP is Cambridge Audio 540C V2, i believe DacMagic will well match with CDP since they are from the same manufacturer.

I would also connect external DAC to Squeezebox V3 to bypass its Burr Brown internal DAC.

A friend of mine owned both the DAC magic and the Benchmark dac and he said that to his ears the benchmark was better.

That said, for the money the Cambridge dac is still a terrific value!

Mike

I currently own both a Benchmark DAC 1 and a DacMagic. I use both in my main system. They're both very good (and the DacMagic is a very good value, to boot), but they sound quite different from each other.

The Benchmark is noticeably leaner sounding and, as with many components that are tonally balanced for this character, it is very revealing. The sense of transparency to the source is very high. From the upper mids through the treble (to the limit of my 51 year old hearing, anyway), the DAC 1 is "laid back" which provides a nice octave to octave balance. A bonus is superb imaging with dramatic depth.

The Cambridge is both warmer and a touch brighter. It might sound less "transparent", but more dynamic. Imaging is quite good, but not at the DAC 1 level.

To me, this is a system dependent choice. I rotate 4 different speakers (Merlin, Verity, Ohm+Velodyne, Magnepan+Velodyne) in my main system and each one sounds a bit different when a different DAC is rotated into service. The added dynamics of the Cambridge benefit both of the sub/sat combos, which are getting more time these days, so the DacMagic is my choice. OTOH, I prefer the Benchmark with the Verity and the Merlin is a toss-up.

All, of course, IMHO.

Hope that's useful.

Marty