Cambridge Audio DAC Magic

organ
organ Posts: 4,969
edited May 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
Anybody heard this DAC? It's getting great press but I'm wondering how it compares to built in DAC's in 1-2k fullyl loaded cdp's?
I'd like to hear upsampling and this may be a good one to try. Anyone care to comment?
Post edited by organ on
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Comments

  • jabrax
    jabrax Posts: 315
    edited May 2009
    Hey Organ, I am in the same situation. Looking for a big jump in sound quality for around 500 bucks. Need to be a DAC because i want to keep multi disk transport.

    This DAC is one of the two (new) that I am interested in knowing about. They were pretty hot sellers, but they have started popping up on agon, and that has me wondering why a relatively new units are popping up for sale.
    TV...............Hitachi 42hdS52a plasma (sexy one with the swival)
    Pre/Processor - Emotiva MMC
    Seven Ch AMP - Emotiva LPA
    Fronts - Tyler Acoustics 7U's
    Center - Polk LSIC
    Sub - DSWPRO600
    DAC - Music Hall 25.3CD - Marantz cc4001
    Blue Ray - PS3
    Speaker cables - Audioquest cv4 dbs
    Interconnects - MIT AVT1's
    Power Filter....Monster HTS 3500 MKII
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited May 2009
    I've heard good things about it, but I've also been told that the actual hardware is some cheap stuff...
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited May 2009
    This should keep you busy Organ: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/cambridge-dacmagic-anyone-368563/

    Venom
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2009
    I just bought a PS Audio Dac DLIII for $599 B stock. I have not heard the Cambridge but I can tell you my external DAC blow away the one in my Denon 2808CI . I am using my PS3 as CDP, BRP, SACD (except DAC) and Media extender.

    The PS Audio give a much wider sound stage with tons of depth, much tighter bass and the highs are detailed with a bit of warmness.

    I found that IC cables on my DAC can change the sound noticablity. Ben's silvers do wonders.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    Compared to the DAC in my Onkyo 706, it's light years better. I still have to compare it to my Cambridge 840C though. I can say the tonality is similar, and with the adjustable filters and reversible phase, it's pretty versatile.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2009
    Thanks for the help. I think I may have to skip this one. A new cdp is probably a better choice for me. Maybe entry level NAIM or something.

    Jabrax,
    If your multiplayer is older, the addition of an external DAC should provide improvements.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited May 2009
    Little Tube just came out with a balanced dac with USB for $299 + shipping...

    http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/upcoming-little-dot-dac-405327/
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2009
    Interesting
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited May 2009
    Nice little Dac at a good price:)
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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