Don't miss this British Invasion! Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 200 Review
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
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Low quality content reading off a spec sheet for 20 mins. Boo Bring back the "good old days"
Randy could you do a video of a cheap DAC with wireless remote one could use for something like the aiyima a300? How much better would an a300 sound over the d03 or t9 with a cheap DAC. I currently use one of the cheap Chinese $20 dacs just to get a remote function for good old school computer 2.1 speakers and want to upgrade to some kind of aiyima system.
Too bad the wiim mini doesn't have an option for one with a remote to help create a sound bar killer, pair it with an amp would be awesome.
Have been using the DacMagic 100 for a few years but wanted MQA compatibility. The 200 is, holy bananas, a major upgrade. An actual Wow factor, a rarity. Thanks again.
Is it a lot better than Magic 100?
@@ek7473 It is. Well worth the extra cost.
I just got mine on Friday. Paired with my new Audiolab 6000CDT I love it.
A review I've been awaiting for, thanks for the good work you do, keep it on the rails. Cheers
Hi Randy, great review as usual, i have the 200m with a high end power supply this really opens up the soundstage, very clear, deeper bass and greater detail .
Hi there, could you point out which power supply you are using? I have the Dacmagic 200m and I love the way it sounds, but I would be very happy, if I could make it sound even better 🙏😊
fiio M11 plus much better i had tested of them before
Great video, Randy. I really like the formal choices you've been making! Your editing keeps getting better and better. Nice touch putting the like and subscribe ask just before the how does it sound portion. You always give me a laugh so I always watch even if I wouldn't use a particular type of gear in my rig. Thanks, man! I'm a funeral director and you make many days start with a smile! (Which is awesome) 😁
Thanks, man. Tough gig you have. glad I can give you a bit of a break
@@cheapaudioman yep. After your video this morning I went and did a service at the end of which a poor grieving kid tried to break my toe by stomping on my dress shoe. Luckily this is not my first rodeo; steel-toed dress shoes! 🤣I'm going to go home 'n watch a bunch of your videos, just wish I could share them with the kid. ✌️
I was just thinking the same. It's incredible how far Randy has come in such a short time 😁. His knowledge and presenting style were top notch from day 1 but the production quality gets better and better. 👌👍
@@PhilipBallGarry absolutely!
My Topping E50 does everything I need. USB for PC, Spdif for CD transport and optical for a Bluetooth adaptor.... Remote (decent), Balanced and single ended outputs that can be used simultaneously. Plus it sounds really good... And I like its no-nonsense looks: compact and plug and play.
The E50 is the one that sort of broke the mold on Chinese DACs sounding too analytical and shrill. Most reviews of the E50 say it sounds very good.
I'd love to hear it compared to the Geshelli Labs J2 in sound signature and soundstage.
For $269 the E50 is likely the one to beat at the $300 and under price point. But many like the Schiit Modi Multibit too. But I like that the E50 gives the user more feedback about what files it is decoding. The lack of indicator lights or a display on Schiit's offerings is kind of a turn off, even though I have a Modi 3+ and like it very much.
@@rosswarren436 I agree that the E50 is not an 'endgame' dac, and even at it's pricepoint it has some very stiff competition. I had an E30 before, and I really liked it.
I just happen to like a rather harsh analytical sound. My main setup is Yamaha AS1200 with Klipsch RP6000f. Not exacctly the smoothest sounding combo around:) ButI l like it, and that's what counts.
I tested SMSL and ifi products, and I kept going back to the Topping. I'd like to try the Schiit multibit range of products, but for the moment they're not available...
Eentually I'll try an R2R DAC, the Denafrips ARes II is high on my 'to listen' list but as far as 300$ Sigma-delta goes: Topping does it for me:)
Thanks for the vital listening info in your review, Randy! 👍 I hate sibilance, so I think I will be looking into buying the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic unit, and will most likely buy their really nice Alva Duo phono stage unit as well. Thanks again!
DACs the black box magic of the digital era. Attempting to recreate a pristine sine wave segmented from ADC back into a smooth pristine sine wave at playback.
You are gradually becoming the mid-fi or value audioman rather than cheap.
Thanks Randy, great review of the DACMagic 200. I feel like Cambridge audio has a strong following and it is good to know that they have a solid product to offer.
Yes it does! I need to talk to you about Korn
I am one of those followers. I have an AXR100 and love it. I also a couple of Schiit boxes. My fav is the old Bifrost that has been upgraded with the multi-bit DAC and the unison USB upgrade. Very buttery!
Thanks for this review. I needed a DAC to essentially provide digital connections for a Schiit Freya + for a bedroom setup. I wanted the features of the Cambridge Audio including the bluetooth and the balanced outputs along with a DAC for TV and DVD so I wasn't looking for an expensive DAC. I have a couple of other equipment (CXA81 and the AVA100) which I think have been excellent. Also a reminder that Cambridge Audio has an ebay store where they sell factory refurbished units for a discount so you can get essentially new products (restored to new specs and with the warranty of a new unit along with a 60 day trial) at used prices.
16:33 Hi Randy great review, i have one of these used with a linear power supply, it's amazing what a difference it makes, alot more detailed better soundstage and deeper tighter bass.
Randy, please review the Emotiva Little Ego + and Big Ego + DACs. At $49.10 and $79.10, respectively, they have to be among the best budget audio values out there. Thanks.
My understanding is that having two dac chips provides the option to have both pure dsd and pcm, i.e. without conversion like when using one dac chip.
not sure if this is part of the used design here - but I think adding two dacs is just used to seperate the channels better. You could electronically handle both signals (right/left) completely seperated. So the signals could not interfere so much.
Decoding formats should be no problem for these chips.
Love your video/conversational style!
I have the Cambridge DAC magic 200, Focal Celestee headphones. I use the Cambrigde DAC Magic as preamplifier to my Hegel amplifier and System Audio speakers. Use TIDAL in Exclusive mode. When i travel i use AudioQuest Red or Cobalt Dac, i have them both. They has different filter.
I brewed a pot of coffee specifically for this video. I don’t even really like coffee. 😆
ha. well it will grow on you
Coffee is a highly addictive stimulant, popularised to make people work harder in industrial factories and soul destroying offices. I love it and you will too;)
I've been using the Dacmagic 200m for some time now, and I do like the way it sounds. I mainly use the headphone out with the short delay filter, and it sounds magical with HD660S headphones. In fact, the headphone AMP is suprisingly capable. I mean on many such devices the headphone AMP tends to be an afterthought from necessity, rather than a well implemented output. Sure the Dacmagic 200m might not be the most accurate DAC, but it is very ''musical'' and ''enjoyable''. I have noticed that the headphone out does sound nicer, punchier, fuller, than the line out, but that might just be my power monitors. As for the MQA, I don't have, nor I plan to use it. The DSD does work, but I only have a few test files. The Bluetooth is Aptx, so 16bit/44kHz, which isn't as bad as it seems.
I have one of these its a fantastic sounding DAC. I still have its predecessor the dacmagic Plus.
This channel became a marketing platform, pure paid marketing and a business no more than that
Some differences can be heard with short snippets of music - and other differences can be heard when listening to a whole song. Like the dynamics and instrument separation, and soundstage. A good system/component draws you into the music. I am glad you do both types of comparisons.
Of course, Neil
Another great video Randy, thank you. Being a Brit myself i love Q acoustics and Cambridge audio. I still use an original CA DacmagicXS, their tiny portal dac/amp. I can recommend them for most of their products.
In fact check out their earbuds the melomania range, for the price they are exceptional. Might not have all the features, compared to bigger brands, but as you say CA are about the sound and they sound fantastic. This and their other dacs are winners for me when I do finally upgrade it will be for a CA unit.
Be well, keep safe and keep with videos coming.
thanks, Mark! appreciate you watching and commenting.
@@cheapaudiomanBeing a Brit myself, I'm generally ashamed at the cheap build quality and cost-cutting at every turn within any CA product.
I have one of the earlier Cambridge Audio DacMagic's that I bought for a system I hang off my PC back in 2010 from Audio Concepts in Dallas. It was 429 bucks then. So this newer Dac for 500 sounds like a pretty good deal. My system for my PC is:
Paradigm Mini Monitor speakers
NAD C326BEE integrated amp
Cambridge Audio DacMagic
I've been running that since 2010 and it still sounds good to me. I wanted to get away from the consumer systems from the big box stores for PC sound systems. I had several and they never seemed to last very long.
I’d love to hear what Mark Winston has to say he’s a real gem to have a civil conversation with in your comment section. Seems to know much much more than anyone. You should have him on one of you episodes so the world may know his name! 🙄
Id love to see you DIY a dac and give it to Randy for a review here. In fact give one to Erin and Amir for an objective review. Make it cheaper than these dacs mentioned here or chinese dacs for that matter. Anxiously waiting to see your great work. The name Riddick Lansing is one of the best in the DIY community, Im really excited to see what you can up with!
What's going on with Riddick and Mark?
@@SoloBueno1 just some audiofool thinking he knows all then gets called out and can’t handle it like a man.
@Ruben Ramero without context, my comment means nothing. And the original comment. A fool that is eager to show the world he knows something he read from the net.
@Ruben Ramero sorry to burst your bubble, but its evident that DIY is not part of the discussion there. Even my 4 year old daughter knows that the DIY community could make a better sounding speaker for less, but that is far off the point being discussed. And I would like to see someone make a speaker that does better than the polk r200 objectively, because Im in the DIY forum and Ive yet to see a speaker that is objectively better than the R200. If you do know a DIY speaker with better measurements, point me in that direction. Ill be waiting.
Does the USB on it support plugging in an iPhone or android phones?
Randy....i would like to make a suggestion about DAC comparisons, just as any other device with subtle differences (like wires or other electronics such as line stages and power amps.). this should take longer than just a few seconds. i say that about a week of listening to just one and then switch. another week. then swap to the 1st one and the differences will be obvious and making a qualitative report much clearer and easier. it's worth a try.
...hifitommy
hearing differences in a modern DAC will be rather difficult in any case. If it is really bad -. you might hear something but If the manufacturer is giving out his detailed measurements - you have an option to go there and be done. Of - give an interpreted overview of your own measurements (but this is probably not in focus on this yt channel).
In this kind of review I would rather hear a usage report. How good is it integratable into my system, is there an app? - how good is it. Is it working stable? Any kinks/quirks? The basic functionality is usually working - what is NOT working is interesting and could give a buy/no-to-buy decision.
'I don't know if that's right... sometimes I'm not good at math'... lmfao That one made me crack up. lol
Thank you for the interesting video. It has really helped or confirmed my decision. As I already own the MXN10 streamer from Cambridge, the Dacmagic 200M is certainly a useful addition. There was now a good offer from a reputable dealer. A return for little money. I couldn't resist. It looks like I'm a fan of British hi-fi. My amplifier is a Rega io and the speakers are also from the UK, Spendor A2. Even with the MXN10 it sounds breathtakingly good! Is there any improvement with the Dacmagic?
I also gave the Rega a new fine-wire fuse and it has done a lot of good, even if I don't know why. Dear cheapaudioman, enlighten me about the fine-wire fuse. Greetings from Bavaria
I know this is from a couple of years ago but, I was just wondering if you tried a linear power supply with the magic 200.
I love the synergy with my Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 200, Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 200, Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 200 with my Hegel-h95. I happen to agree with EVERY thing you said in this review.
I think that a good DAC provides detail with an analog sound. That balance is hard to acheive. Early CDs had detail, but could sound hard or etched. I had a Scott Nixon DAC that was very analog sounding but rounded off details. Sounds like the DacMagic might strike a good balance.
I love that you did test a non-asian DAC.
I have the dacmagic 100…not sure the 200 is worth the upgrade
Geez whiz Randy, you're gpnna run me broke. That cambridge sounds wonderful. You'd be surprised at the number of purchases I've made that have your fingerprints all over them.
But coming back to reality, my needs are as basic as you can get. Sold my component system years ago so I don't have any system to power it. I've got headhones, my laptop and a couple sets of headphones and two dacs. All the inputs and outputs offering in may of your offerings, I just don't need.
But for five hundred dollars, you would think they'd offer a 4.4 pentagram for a balanced cable, right? ;-)
Now I am interested what Audio Science Review has to say about this DAC.
Your videos are so great. Thanks Randy! I'm trying to decide between the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 200 or the new
Geshelli JNOG2 (J2) with the new AK4493 chip. I have the Cambridge Audio AXR100 integrated amplifier. I'm having a difficult time deciding.
I have a CA azur 640r that I'm only using for 2.1 audio. Just last weekend it crapped out and needed a reset. If the repair was expensive I was going to get the axr 100. Yesterday I ordered the Geshelli J2. It's half the price of the DM200 and I don't need a USB input nor the headphone amp
@@chadridsdale9970 I went with the J2 with the AKM chip and I love it. Saving up to order a second one for my office setup.
I wish they could build the power supply into the DAC itself. A two amp power supply really isn’t much.
The way they have done it leaves open possibilities to experiment with different power sources, though. You could even run it off a battery set for a really pure DC input voltage which might improve the sound quality even further.
@@svenschwingel8632 yeah that's true. Just hope a guy doesn't short out the board. I just bought me a Topping EX5. It's not bad but this guy would do the trick.
great review, how do you compare with the Geshelli J2 (socketed with AKM4499 and Sparkos will already take you to the Dac Magic territory)?
If it had more than 300mW output for headphones, I'd be very tempted to get it
Cheapaudioman, I have, by anyone's account, a high-end 2-channel system. I'm looking for a DAC (Bluetooth would be nice but I already have the blu-dento blt-hd) that hits the sweet spot of performance and price. I think the Ares 2 is the match for my system, but I'm not going to spend that much on digital... I'm a vinyl junkie for sure.
Am I going to get a notable gain in performance with the E50 over the FX DO-1? What do I get sonically over the FX? Or, is there a better product than these two IN YOUR OPINION.
I hope you respond to this. Thank you for what you bring to the audio world. By the way, I love the way you've engaged your kids during child interruptions. 👍👍
Got a question about dacs and any help will be appreciated.
My Cambridge Audio amp has a inbuilt dac.
So when i connect an external dac how do i ensure i bypass the amps inbuilt dac? Thanks
Not sure if I missed it, but I'd guess that this may have an edge over the Bifrost 2? I probably would have gone with this with all its options!
Everything Cambridge Audio puts out is pretty awesome.
not everything. Thye failed hugely with a test at ASR. DAC was one of the worst they ever tested...
Unfortunately he is CheapAudioMan is never testing anything beside "compare" and "how it sounds". A DAC you could really measure.
@@obiwan007 Isn't the sound more important than how it measures? I've heard some terrible sounding equipment that measures well.
@@obiwan007 Try listen to the measurement. I prefers to listen to music and it’s sound.
@@rikardekvall3433 That is the usual "argument".
A measurement is not replacing any listening... But it gives you a quantitative option to compare and categorize.
You can not "feel" what the author was feeling hearing the music. You need to "believe" that it sounds "good, airy, open and wide". But music is physics and no religion. You can measure at least a few pinpoints... Unfortunately this is not received well from many manufacturers of high end stereo because it would be easily be exposed that they sell bad designed electronics.
@@obiwan007 You have a point, but the ear still sets the level. All depends on amp, speakers, room and room issues to give the best sound, no matter measurement and bad design. See Thomas & Stereo’s latest video, Does Measurement Matter? Where in the beginning he mention a DAC test he have done. The only DAC he bought for his own money was a RME DAC that didn’t measure best, but sounded best in his room and with his equipment. I don’t think he’s got financial issues to buy a more expensive DAC. The problem for us consumer is that we can’t buy and try all the products. So what do we choose? In this case I’ll follow Cheapaudioman because he talks about the sound, not measurement. I do fully respect your choice of DAC and your preferences. Let the music play.
1. The Dacmagic name has been around for over 25 years...catch up!
2. Dual DACs has nothing to do with the number of digital inputs....(?) usually they are run in opposite polarity to reduce noise and distortion. Remember this has a balanced output stage.....
Steven, thanks for the valuable input. I'll, indeed, try to catch up.
Love your channel and reviews of different parts of the amplified AC signal of audiophile or not so HQ music reproduction. But, I don’t understand the words you use to describe the audio frequency spectrum. Timbre is the golden ring. Harmonics, resonance, “attack-decay-sustain-release” extraneous noise, texture, consonance vs dissonance, overtones, vibrato/tremolo, saturated, or the whole envelope of any given instrument. Is the tone color bright, dark, saturated, etherial, or just nasal and no richness? Is the proper gain structure between components set up for output to input optimal impedance matching at resonant frequency and signal to noise specifications? Physics 103.
You "like the LEDs" I don't like them, especially when sitting next to tube gear that glows amber. Any ideas - or products - that use amber LEDs, thus not killing the visuals at night?
That’s a nice DAC. My wish list for it: Bluetooth 5.0 and Step Ladder Volume control circuit.
that would be cool
Randy. Thank you for mentioning output levels. Much appreciated ✔️
anything for you, Bills
The topping 50 chi fi had cut out problems on the coax in. Is that fixed? Looking hard at the Cambridge atm
Have the SMSL M500 V1, Running XLR BALANCED to a pair of Tannoy GOLD 5’s, and Bayerdynamic DT 1770 PRO Headphones. Really considering the Cambridge. Or maybe Woo Audio ?
Luv your Vids Randy ! I wonder if the two Chips run one channel each ?
@cheapaudioman Do you think this is a upgrade to the Bluesounds n130 Dac? Also thinking of Schiit and Denafrips. So hard to decide which will be an upgrade. Love your channel.
Is the Denafrips Ares 2 worth the $1,150.00 price tag? Did they pricing themselves out of the affordable market now?
I just picked one up 3 days ago too! I cannot get dsd to "work" coming out of my PC though 😅
You’ve been holding out on us Randy, you cant just sprinkle “on my vintage McIntosh upstairs” in a couple videos and not give us the scoop. Whadya got? Howd ya git it? Thanks for this review by the way, good as always.
I'll probably do a video on them. I can hear the lamentations now... you're not the cheap audio man!!!!!!!
@@cheapaudioman "cheap" is relative, and hey, if you got them for a good deal, then all the better! LOL...
AHahaghah(Homer drooling ).. I love British equipment ..I have Quad ESL and Quad 303 and 405 ..This will be a nice addition !..Thank you !
To Ladron Siman; Hey, really good system you have! Used to have Quad ESL, superb mid and treble tonality and inner detail, but had to sell. 😔 I miss them! Happy listening! 😊 👍
Excellent review Randy as always 👍. Regarding you saying the Cambridge Audio "DAC Magic Two Thousand" I think it has a ring to it too. You're probably thinking about the Simpsons "Rap Master 2000" loud hailer? 😎
ha! made me chuckle. thank you
@@cheapaudioman Another excellent test tune for you might be "Calculating Bimbo" from Belle & Sebastian's "Write about love" album. Also the one from the same album featuring Nora Jones 👍👌
How does the Cambridge Audio DAC magic 200 compare to the Schiikt bifrost 2?
So this is the better option if choosing between dacmagic 200 and modi multibit?
Dear cheapaudioman. I have a dumb and sincere question. I have a respectable, kind of old-school set up. A Harmon Kardon integrated receiver, a Revolver turntable with a Nagaoka cartridge, and Paradigm speakers. I have a CD player, and I can plug my phone or Alexa into the RCA inputs for a tape player to play Spotify etc. I enjoy your videos but can't figure out what a DAC would do for me. Why would I want one? Thanks!
@@Openeyesopenheart42 "ph" is my phone? So the DAC would be purely to upgrade streaming inputs.
@@donsteinberg284 An external DAC would likely upgrade sound quality over the DAC in your phone.
Detail is the enemy of the rock/pop/ any music using sound re-enforcement to make sound. Acoustic instruments, however, demand all that detail to make the instrument real in your listening room. It is the same reason, I think, vinyl and digital wars began. Analog has a high noise floor, high compression rates, tape saturation/distortion, and then needle in groove noises; and a preamp stage at the turntable to help the amp. all enemies of detail. Been attempting since 1986 to understand the fans of vinyl, and I think this is it...a warm natural noise/distortion from recording limitations and the lack of brittleness (detail) that they love so much. I just listened to a CD of Kansas "Song for America" again a few weeks ago....it lacked the excitement I remember from my 1970s vinyl days. Also I remember vinyl, after just the first 10 plays I could hear 5 to 10kh missing (detail) from record/needle wear. (I am a musician since 1967, and an audiophile since 1973 where I saved for a stereo instead of a car).
I have phobia about Cambridge Amp.
Sir cambridge knows Display wont last..Bit weird bout filter options..Cuz nowdays they r usin app for dat..wut dac chips inside dark magic?.
As satisfied DacMagic 100 user, this 200M baby is on my whishlist for a while. Did somebody 'round here have tested both ? I wonder if the gap between the two devices is important enough to make the buy.
Cheers from the old contient.
not sure, my friend. I wish I had both to compare
I doubt it's worth it unless you need the balanced output or headphone amp. The 100 is great
I just switched froma schiit phono stage to CA Alva duo, way better! maybe i should upgrade my schiit dac also...
So glad for this review. I'd been looking at it and I think Andrew Robinson just reviewed it also
Anyone, is it good enough for harder to drive Hifiman He6se v2? Since I did just buy that. It is 50 ohm and insensitive 83 db. With (3) components in my system with digital outputs. Maybe a 4th if I get get connector for a Fiio DAP.
Have just been using Beyer DT 770 pro 250 ohm to now.
FYI Randy, Cambridge is a British company, but their factory is in China.
That's true for most British brands. It's still valid to say British, as the design and engineering is done in the UK, it's just the assembly that's done in China, where labour costs are far lower.
Nice product, really nice and, in addition to sounding good, it looks awesome as opposed to that ugly black box of the SMSL. I know the sound matters but so do looks especially if in sight in a living room.
Any chance to share your McIntosh gear with us?
I missed "the Sith audio" sponsor today.
yeah.. Sith audio is coming back for sure.
Vintage style remote caused me to turn it down, and I love love live cabmbridge’s stuff (glancing at Minx301’s in stereo).
Here’s yer upthumb!
thanks. I'm thumbed up your comment and hearted it!!!!!!!!!!
what dac chip(s)???
Can you please do a review on smsl m400 and compare it to others.
The 200 is Designed and Engineered in Britain....Assembled in China. On the back in bold printing.
Cambridge Audio Oontz is the best small Bluetooth speaker that I’ve ever used. I use it everyday. The clarity and volume is amazing.
Best part, it is half the price of a similar JBL Bluetooth speaker.
I have Musical Fidelity V90. Great small dac not made in china. Enough for me. Well done and approved by Amir from ASR.
is this dac still worthy in 2023?
DAC MAGIC >> Whoa Man!
Nice review, Randy. I have the DAC Magic 100, and it sounds great. I never got the 200 because it lacks a remote and balanced headphone output.................. For $500 it's a bit much.
No its not fine not having a remote control! Bcs that means you have to have an amplifier which comes with remote control, which sucks for ppl who own vintage amps.
You make listening a pleasure with your knowledge, perspective, and humour. Thanks. (pun intended) 😂👍
Racing towards that 100k Randy. You deserve it.
Yeah another top DAC list video would be nice.
Nice but would never buy mass market gear. Lb for lb the worst.
They need to make one without MQA so I don't have to pay extra for that DRM protection scam.
You’re gonna love the Pontus II, that’s where my DAC journey ended unless I strike it rich. Rest of chain is PrimaLuna EVO 300, Klipsch Cornwalls with upgraded crossovers and drivers, VPI Prime w/ Dynavector 20X2H, Sweet Vinyl SC-1 Mini/Phono Sugarcube, Oppo disc spinner & files fed from MacBook.
yowsa! sounds like an incredible system
Echo Randy's comment. I'd love to hear your setup. I got the ares 2 a few months back and love it, but also am incredibly curious what denafrips can do in the pontus for twice the cost. I too suspect my game would end there as I couldn't justify more than 2k for this one component. Plus, I'm suspicious of the DAC value proposition in the long-run. Better chips and better processing could easily narrow the price gap. Additionally, technological advances in filtering and DSP within these DACs may surpass the quality of even these highly regarded R2R designs.
Look at the back of all these British brands. It probably says Made in China. My expensive Cambridge cd player is, wait for it, Made in China.
Please review burson timekeeper 3i
DO I need a dac if I only have flac files?
Yes
Please provide the link for Sith Audio audiophile coffee.
And is it only available in whole beans or already pulverized by powerful subwoofers?
So, you'd say SMSL can be more strident verse the DAC Magic is more Musical.
This is the DAC I REALLY wanted but at $500, I kept looking. It has the DAC and the headphone amp in the same box- I want that. I looked at Schitt Audio but could never get them to ship. I ended up with the iFi Zen 2. I might eventually get a CA DacMagic, but I'm set for now.
ifi is a good product.
It's too bad you can't buy an MQA free version of DACs in general. I don't want to pay those crooks for a "service" I'll never use and support their thuggish business practices.
Indeed. And there are several technical white papers out there written by knowledgeable individuals saying that MQA does NOTHING beneficial to the music that human ears can detect, and in fact is even slightly lossy. Just give me CD quality music or maybe a few "higher res" albums from the master tapes, even DSD recordings, but leave the snail oil out and don't make part of my money for purchase of a device go for MQA licensing. But the Cambridge DacMagic 200 does have a lot to recommend it. I'd love to hear it up against the Geshelli J2, Schiit Modi Multibit and Denafrips Ares II.
@@rosswarren436 golden sound did two videos on it that thoroughly annihilated MQA. It was also clear tidal was making bad faith arguments when he asked them for comment (which he adroitly refuted) and doing dirty businesses practices by taking down his songs. It's worth the watch if you want to know how MQA "works."
@@spamcan9208 not sure about their "fuzzy" business practices, but the white paper I read by Bob Caver made me wish it wasn't a "thing" with audiophiles who have more money than sense. But as the old saying goes, "It is easier to fool people than make them realize they've been fooled"....
I'll take CD or better PCM and DSD all day long, but MQA can stay "unfolded" forever...Just not going there - ever.
Thanks.
Wish it had i2s
Allegedly a linear power supply makes a big difference to these. The original Dacmagics paid a lot of attention to the power supply (designed by a guru from pink triangle).
ohhh.... you have any links to any. I. bet a 12 volt linear is expensive though.
@@cheapaudioman Go Ali! (eg 'Weiliang Audio' c.$75) For EU Audiophonics c.$100 - they also do some exlnt modules (audio GD) you can add your own monster toriod to - will be cheaper by 'sourcing' an enclosure. PC psu enclosures great - scrapped by the dozen - add wood end cheeks and paint metal bit.
The music is crazy in a good way!
RiP Taylor Hawkins
Good morning sir amazing thank you so much for sharing
Cool more R2R goodness coming soon.
Ya know this would make a great stack piece with their Duo MM/MC phono stage which tests great at ASR and has headphone with volume.But no remote or a an amp that matches the this and the phno?Well no remote no deal too bad- I'd like to buy from major western brand