Cambridge Dacmagic 100 or other suggestions?

gudnoyez

Ended up with another laptop yesterday, I got a integrated amp and extra pair of speakers lying around the house somewhere. I'm thinking of putting together a little laptop rig in the bedroom, what's the thoughts on this Dacmagic 100 or is there another one I should be looking at? I Want to keep it around $ 300 maybe $500 the Cambridge is currently $299

DollarDave

I recently looked into dacs in this price range and ended up with a schiit bifrost multibit...I like it a lot for what it's worth.

gudnoyez

Thanks Dave I see Hi fi heaven has a used bitfrost multibit for $499 looks intriguing, I do have a Hrt music streamer hooked up to the 2 channel use the Oppos DAC in the HT, I'm just looking for something different for the laptop only source for the bedroom.

Conradicles

I got my eye on the DacMagic 100 too. Seems to be the best deal at $300. However room treatments are to be purchased next for me, then the DacMagic. Share your thoughts if you get one.

marvda1

i have one of these, a great sounding dac.
http://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/micromega

Conradicles

Thanks marvda1, that looks like a great deal.

EndersShadow

DacMagic and done.... loved mine, just didnt work with the new system I have.

mantis

You should do a search for my DAC reviews from a few years ago.

steveinaz

It's hard to beat Cambridge when it comes to high value audio.

heiney9

I'll throw the original Eastern Electric Mini Max dac out for consideration. They can be had for about 1/3 what they cost new these days. Probably at the top of your budget, but worth every penny.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/easternelectric/dac.html

H9

Nightfall

I take it your clothes are back in your dresser and you didn't have to sell everything?

gudnoyez

Thanks for the suggestions everyone I will check into all that were mentioned.

Nightfall wrote: »

I take it your clothes are back in your dresser and you didn't have to sell everything?

It's all good again, I got rid of some empty boxes and made a little space. I got to keep the man cave the way I want except for the laundry room she wants that space to herself, might have to set up a laundry room rig for her!

jeremymarcinko

I use the musical fidelity V90 dac. It sounds damn good to me, and looks great too.

tonyb

The standard dacmagic sounds better than the 100, and I'm pretty sure you can pick those up on the used markets for under 300 bones now.

Entry level dacs have come along way as Skip said, but I might be more inclined to buy a better dac on the used markets for the same price as those entry level units.

Brock's suggestion of the mini max is one, also depends on what you want it to do. Don't forget Tech dacs either. I'm still using a Cary Xciter and have no desire to move up.

Though if a tubed Cary dac fell off a truck, I wouldn't pass it by.

msg

Translation: If a driver carrying a pallette of tubed Cary DACs destined for a shop were to unexpectedly fall out of his truck en route, you'd coincidentally be there to make sure the truck made it to a safe destination in a quiet warehouse district where no one talks to the cops.

heiney9

If you can stretch your budget at all this would be killer. Probably too nice for a 2nd or 3rd rig, but it's a pretty good deal and it has the upgraded discrete op-amps which kick it up a notch or two. The discrete op-amps alone are over $300 retail.

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649304167-eastern-electric-minimax-dac-plus-upgraded-with-dexa-op-amps-in-excellent-condition/

H9

P.s absolutely no affiliation with the seller.

adb3da

I have a Peachtree Audio DAC ITx. I like it and it's also in your price range.

tophatjohnny

If you can (and should be able to) find a Stream Magic 6, you will love it. I've thought about upping to the 851N player but the SM6 is a rocking unit. Check em out Steve!

gudnoyez

Im considering maybe purchasing this I can take advantage of Adcom trade in program as I have some Adcom stuff sitting Idle thoughts anyone.

gudnoyez

http://www.adcom-usa.com/gia-275

Here is the link to the GIA-275

msg

Would you be using this to drive speakers, or just for the DAC and connectivity?
This looks like a nice little office/lifestyle piece. Interesting.

Given the recent events at the homestead, should you even be on here talking about this stuff? You're probably being monitored.

voltz

For $500 you can get a Auralic mini Dac/Streamer and put a $130 SSD drive in it with all or most of your digital music - but you would need a apple ipod to control - not sure what that would run used? but if you already had one ...

plus it comes with a free year of Tidal - and it handles DSD files

tophatjohnny

gudnoyez wrote: »

http://www.adcom-usa.com/gia-275

Here is the link to the GIA-275[/

not familiar with this one. Don't see an Ethernet option???

gudnoyez

http://www.stereotimes.com/post/jolida-glass-fx-tube-dac-iii-w
Think I found one I like a dealer here in town has jolida products and I think I'm going to schedule a demo on this one this week!

kevhed72

DollarDave wrote: »

I recently looked into dacs in this price range and ended up with a schiit bifrost multibit...I like it a lot for what it's worth.

I scored a used one a year ago and like it much more that the Music Hall tubed DAC I had prior.

cvernon36

I would get the dac magic plus it's around that $500 range and it's quite a nice sound. I had one for a good year or so before I bought the azur851d

tophatjohnny

cvernon36 wrote: »

I would get the dac magic plus it's around that $500 range and it's quite a nice sound. I had one for a good year or so before I bought the azur851d

Owning and loving the Stream Magic 6 which can be had in that $500 range would probably serve better than the dad magic plus.

My next move will be the 851N. No hurry though because the SM6 Is sure nice.

tophatjohnny

tophatjohnny wrote: »

cvernon36 wrote: »

I would get the dac magic plus it's around that $500 range and it's quite a nice sound. I had one for a good year or so before I bought the azur851d

Owning and loving the Stream Magic 6 which can be had in that $500 range would probably serve better than the dad magic plus.

My next move will be the 851N. No hurry though because the SM6 Is sure nice.

I meant the mom magic minus!!

Willow

I'm waiting on the delivery of my dac magic 100. I bought it used. He is delivering it to my office today.