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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
 
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?
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
Not Really - better cable - better sound!

Rat Shack speaker cable is not great quality

your battery is a very stable DC supply (no waveform distortions), providing it has the capacity to deliver the required current peaks it will sound better.

DC supplies are quite different form AC supplies - they have to have a stable DC voltage AND be able to supply instant demands for current.

Try the Mogami with the battery it will be even better

The Mogami - provided the ability to supply the instant current requirements that the Rat Shack could not.

Try a bigger battery for even better results

My Kimber leads are amazing - very dynamic!
sop1
12 posts
 
Anyone tried the Pyramid PS3Kx power supply with the Dacmagic? I'm reading it works great with V-Dac.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
NEW DACMagic Plus is now almost out. Shown at CES, according to my local CA folks.

Adds headphone out and vol. control. Vol control can ALSO go to outs which are still balanced and unbalanced.
Can you say minimum system?

New DACMagic also has an input for a BlueTooth dongle for use in a BlueTooth system!
Add the Async USB input, 2 channels of optical/coax, the selectible filters and how could you miss?

I'm seriously going to check this out.
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