Praise for DacMagic

Stevenbell, I was just correcting and clarifying. I know you were trying to be helpful, so don't take it personally. Sam Tellig was apparently wrong if that's what he said. The DacMagic uses dual Wolfson DACs (the same ones as the 740C) and the 840 C uses Analog Devices DACs, so I just wanted to correct your information. But I still hold to what I said that you can't say something sounds "identical" because they utilize the same DACs. Don't worry about it.

So I can expect to get better sound from a differnt transport? After reading this months Stereophile I gave up hope of getting better sound with a better transport.

I've had varying experiences with different transports with the DacMagic. On a very old Nak single disc player from a customer, the DacMagic made very little difference when I was expecting substantial difference. A Cambridge Audio 640C V2 was clearly superior to this old Nak player. But when a DacMagic was connected to a Cambridge 640C V2 as a transport, the DacMagic was definitely a notable improvement. So, based on that, a person would think that the DacMagic would blow away the Nak from its analog outs, but for some reason it didn't respond well to the Nak as a transport.

Other people here have had varying levels of improvements depending on the type of transport used. Regardless of what reviewers or others say, I trust my ears first. For me, I have definitely noticed sound quality differences with various transports and the DacMagic.

I truely have come to grow fond of the Dacmagic. I previously was using a highly regarded SACD player that was several years old and I find the the Dacmagic to be a very notiable improvement with CD's. It is like moving from mid-hall to a front row seat at a concert. I understand that some may not like that presentation but I find it very pleasing. It has added improved dynamics, detail, and exitement to my music listening sessions. I think Dacmaigic is not given enough credit for everything it does accomplish. Possibly it should have been put in a fancier box, weight andded, and the price raised to $995.
just kidding of course, I'm greatful to Chambridge bringing such an accomplished product to the market at such an afordable price. Many can experience tuely fine sound that may not have been able to otherwise.
I am interested in some additional comparisons between Dacmagic and the Benchmark DAC1 if anyone has direct experience I would like to get additional feedback. I'm all fired up about audio again now.

Any new thoughts on the DAC Magic?

I recently upgraded my speakers to Ohm Micro Walsh Talls which are connected to a Parasound AVC-1800 and HCA-2205 amp. I find that my old Sony DVD player isn't quite cutting it in relation to the rest of the system.

I'm on the fence regarding Blu-Ray/SACD, and am thinking that committing to new formats isn't such a good idea for me if I can improve on redbook with a DAC. I listen exclusively in 2-channel anyway, and won't make the best use fancier formats.

Any further opinions on the DAC Magic would be great!