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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...
headshrinker2
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
Look what they've done to the DAC Magic Plus

Changed the damn Power supply to 12v DC!!!

What a PITA!

I won't be getting one of those any time soon

Still I do have enough room in my new power supply case to add a rectifier bridge later on I suppose.

You can buy 12V DC supplies pretty cheap, but getting perfect DC with no rippling will be the challenge

Have to wait for Pangea to come up with changes to their P100
wolf_garcia
6,734 posts
 
The original DACMagic is designed for 12 volt DC also. At least that's what it says on the PS input.
wolf_garcia
6,734 posts
 
According to a discussion I just had with Audio Advisor, the P100 will work with the "plus" as soon as they get a cable that fits (none of the supplied cables work because of a larger center pin on the "plus" PS input). So there.
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
Well - I'm in the process of building my Mk II power supply and I was looking for a really good "screened" cable for the 12V AC to the Dacmagic (and the 640p).

Trouble is the good copper leads are too heavy a gauge for the little DC connectors!

Then I though about the braided power cables and how their geometry deals with RF very effectively.

THOUGHT: Hey! - Kimber makes braided cable!

So I purchased 3 ft of their smallest gauge (of cheapest line) speaker cable and fitted the connectors - Voila!

NOTE:- This works because it's ONLY 12V

DO NOT TRY THIS WITH A 120V CORD!

Now I know the "Power Cord Debate" rages across AG, but all I can say is...

H__O_L_Y______C_O_W !!!..... OK, so it was a more like BL**** H***!

HUGE 3D sound stage, incredible details, pinpoint accuracy (NO! - I mean PINPOINT) and amazing natural sound.

But get this - as soon as I turned it on! NO WARM UP!

Just how good can the Dacmagic get?

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Best $400 I've ever spent!

FYI - the MK II Power Supply will have 2 toroid transformers (Dacmagic + 640P) and vastly upgraded wiring and connectors in a single case.

This is one upgrade I am really looking forward to :-)))
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I got a regulated power supply for my Apogee Mini-DAC and made up a connecting cable from leftover Rat Shack speaker wire. Sound turned out not as good as my battery supply. A bit harsh and edgy.

I made up a second 12V cable using cryo-treated Mogami quad-core. This new cable made the sound with the regulated PS just as good as the sound with the battery.

Weird huh?
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