A wolfson wm8742 24bit dac is teamed up with cambridge audio s wealth of digital engineering knowledge to create a sound thats vibrant, detailed and remarkably free from jitter. We are confident that you will enjoy many years of listening pleasure from it. Makes a notable difference in the sound of all music coming out of my pc. Getting a cambridge audio dac magic 100 tonight what should. Cambridge dacmagic plus v benchmark dac1 gearslutz. The bluesound dac isnt bad but i wouldnt be surprise if the cxn better. By connecting our new bt100 to any supported cambridge audio product, you can now stream music wirelessly from your iphone, smartphone, ipad, tablet, laptop or any device that supports bluetooth to your hifi or. May 06, 2006 hi all, i have purchased a cambridge audio dacmagic 2 via ebay, mainly to get an optical feed from my pc. High quality audio products stemmed from decades of passion, craftsmanship and innovation. Dacmagic 100 is very flexible and supports virtually all digital file formats including the very highest quality 24bit studio master or lossless quality audio files stored on your computer. The rotel and marantz go by way of coax, the sony is optical. Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 digitalto audio converter. As with all audio stuff, try it out for yourself if you can. Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 24bit stereo digital to.
Im sure some are going to throw in the node does mqa but even so a superior dac wo mqa is still going to be better. Cambridge audio digital dacmagic plus dac silver universal. It turned out to be about half the price if i purchased in the usa. Cambridge audio makes a lot of cd players, from the 340c to the 840c model, each having a slightly different da design. Running a mac book pro via airport express and optical connection to the dacmagic thence into naim pre and power amps. The improvement in sound quality and reduction of background noise before and after the dac is like day and night, plus now i. Customs services and international tracking provided. Massive improvements to the sound of your digital sourcesthe purpose. This continues a tradition of using stanford gear since the theta days, 2 decades ago. Ask the question you have about the cambridge dacmagic here simply to other product owners. Cambridge audio azur dacmagic da converter measurements sidebar 2.
Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. I was wondering if anybody has had a chance to do a direct comparison between the new ish cambridge audio dacmagic plus and a benchmark dac1. The cambridge audio dacmagic plus adds a headphone amp and asynchronous 192khz playback from computers. No extra drivers are required to connect your mac computer. Dacmagic was designed by john westlake, former pink triangle tech, and digital conversion is accomplished by a pair of philips tda 5 18bit hybrid chips the naim cd 3. It was perfectly placed as the digitaltoanalogue converter thats a dac to the uninitiated reemerged as a popular way to give your digital system a sonic boost. Cant speak for the ca cxn, but using my vault 2, going through the dac in my ca 851c is far better then the dac in the vault. The story is similarly positive with a 24bit192khz recording of beethovens piano concerto no. As the name suggests, it has its origins in cambridge, england where in the. The first part looked at the dacmagic plus, a fully featured dac retailing for around. Smaller than a matchbox, dacmagic xs uses technology from cambridge audio s highend dacs.
I had waited for the dacmagic 100 to be released, even though the xlr outputs and head. Cambridge audio will repair or replace at cambridge audio s option this product or any defective parts in this product. It is barely been a secret in hi fi groups that cambridge audio was due to replace its value dacmagic dtoa converter that is remarkable. Cambridge audio azur dacmagic plus digital to analogue convert, black b006gju33i. Toslink digital inputs, the dacmagic 100 takes the sound from your computer, ipod. The full cambridge audio portfolio of products consists of everything from earphones to speakers to dacs and music systems. Used to decode hi def files from internet via laptop,have only used device for a few days but appears to work well. Like all cambridge audio products, the dacmagic 100 adheres to our three core principles. The name of this little box of tricks may ring a bell. Cambridge audio azur dacmagic da converter measurements. The best just gets betterwith a raft of improvements the cambridge audio dacmagic plus is still the best way of improving the sound from your hifi, av system, pc, laptop and now, even your headphones. Cambridge audio dacmagic plus dacheadphone amp playback 55. The dacmagic plus has fantastic new features including wireless device connectivity and stunning audio performance from music of all formats.
Dacmagic 100 digital to analogue converter cambridge audio. This second part looks at the smaller, simpler and substantially cheaper dacmagic 100 and completes the comparisons. This thread is dedicated to the cambridge audio dacmagic plus which may very well be the best value dac on the market today. It was received to great acclaim and spawned several incarnations. An example of a fine sounding, but economical, da is the cambridge audio dacmagic. Now they are back and the name has been revived for what is, in fact, an allnew product. Giantkiller though it was it even boasted balanced outputs its usb input signal was limited to 16bit48khz. No matter what sample rate the dac is presented it upsamples to 24192 and outputs good quality sound.
The new dacmagic plus improves upon the dacmagic by adding support for 24192 sampling rates, delivering better sound performance via new dac chips and including a builtin headphone amp. The cambridge audio dacmagic plus does the seemingly impossible and improves upon a legend. Even before the dacmagic failed, it was highly finickyrequiring multiple restarts before it would recognize the usb connection. Cambridge audio has had a dacmagic in its range before, but the last one disappeared a while ago when dacs appeared to be in terminal decline. Cambridge audio azur dacmagic user manual pdf download. Cambridge audio has hit a home run with the dacmagic. Cambridge audio dacmagic xs portable usb dac amp blue. Provide a clear and comprehensive description of the problem and your question. Cambridge audio dacmagic dac, a listening test on tntaudio, internet hifi magazine.
Thank you for purchasing this cambridge audio dacmagic 100 digital to analogue converter. Controls on the front panel let you switch between sources, so once youve connected. Cambridge audio dacmagic plus stereo digital to analog. Apart from putting the dac stages into a separate case, the transport was mounted on.
Reviews elsewhere suggest this is due to more than just good distribution so its time for tnt audio to have a look and a listen. The new dacmagic plus improves upon the dacmagic by adding support for 24192 sampling rates. If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a. After countless days of researching dacs ive narrowed it down to two units and hoping maybe some of you guys can help me decide which to go with. Whatever your music source, youll enjoy genuine hifi quality sound by using the cambridge audio dacmagic 100. Cambridge audio dacmagic plus black stereo dacheadphone. Cambridge audio set the benchmark for sound quality and value when they introduced the original dacmagic digitaltoanalog converter. The better your problem and question is described, the easier it is for other cambridge dacmagic owners to provide you with a good answer. Review and measurements of cambridge dacmagic plus audio. It connects to your computer by a usb connection, has a 3. I am getting a cambridge audio dac magic 100 tonight. One of the most important elements of the musical chain from bits to waves is a digitaltoanalog converter or dac. Cambridge audio dacmagic cambridge dacmagic is perfect for those who need an entry audiophile dac to use with various audio players and the computer.
Cambridge audio dacmagic plus digital audio converter. Cambridge audios original dacmagic was something of a whirlwind success. With three different digital connectivity options and the ability to connect four devices concurrently, dacmagic 100 is a true digital music enhancement hub. I am thinking the sony and marantz should have noticable improvement and the rotel somewhat. The digital music revolution means the cd is just one format as people listen to their collection in a totally different way. I wish it had a headphone amp too but not the case, but not complaining. A raw sp dif coaxial and toslink optical digital output is also provided. Dacmagic plus even supports 24bit data over usb so you can enjoy better than cd quality from uncompressed music stored on your pc. Hope it can upgrade my nad 521i not bee player too. May 29, 2009 i visited the design headquarters of cambridge audio in london several years ago and met their technical director, matthew bramble, who used to work for another wellknown british hifi manufacturer. Upgraded from dacmagic two days ago so still burning new unit in and evaluating sonic improvements however initial impressions are very positive with improvements in detail retreival, warmer sound balance and impressive sound stage. The dacmagic plus offers three different digital filter settings that can be changed via a front panel button. The cambridge audio engineers have managed to shrink this 16bit dac and 150mw amplifier into a wee slither of brushed aluminium thatll slip into your.
Hi all, i have purchased a cambridge audio dacmagic 2 via ebay, mainly to get an optical feed from my pc. Cambridge audio dacmagic xs portable usb digital to analog converter dac headphone amp gold. Cambridge audio azur dacmagic 100 user manual pdf download. Putting it in a separate box makes a definite difference in resolving the high frequencies. I understand my dacmagic 2 is the same as the dacmagic 3 here, so i would.
Thanks to twin dacs it instantly improves audio fidelity from all your favourite digital products allowing you to make your computer, tv, bluray player and other devices a true part of your hifi system. With a focus on performance and affordability, the axa35 boasts more. Hooking it up to my rotel 965bx cd player, my marantz cd burner 3 to 1, and my sony 300 disc changer. It helped music lovers significantly upgrade the sound from their computers, game consoles, network music players, or any other device with a digital audio output. I needed the dacmagic for the coaxial and spdif input my gt40 only has usb and phonoline in i would recommend this dac but its not the best at this price point works perfect on a mac but expect to download some software from cambridge audio using windows. Sound off below then follow me on twitter, and facebook.
The original dacmagic continues for now but will be replaced by a new model in the near future. It sometimes seems that cambridge audio s ethos is to be everything to everyone, and the dacmagic certainly covers all the bases. In addition this dac would make an excellent higherend desktop audio system even better. Versatility the cambridge audio dacmagic is built to very good quality standards. A product true to cambridge audio s foundations of creative innovation and entrepreneurial ambition.
Cambridge audio has been in the audio business for quite some time and one of their more popular products in recent history, the dacmagic has undergone an update. I own both dacs and have compared them sidebyside and to me the modi see more. The cambridge audio dacmagic xs is a gadget to lust after. The cambridge audio dacmagic plus is an inexpensive, lightweight. Cambridge audio has come up with a product that has wowed everyone. Cambridge audio warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship subject to the. Placing the dacmagic vertically next to a monitor allows easy access to switch inputs if needed and offers a closeup view of the sample rate indicators. If my mac is sleeping and i turn on the dacmagic connected by usb, my mac wakes. The cambridge audio dacmagic is a very nice component to mate a computer with a traditional audio system. I guess the dac3 is a european product or something.
That bramble likes to ramble is proven by the 105page instruction manual for the cambridge audio dacmagic. Lowcost bd players also benefit, as well as computer audio. Dual philips tda5 hybrid dacs with symmetrical dual differential circuitry. Cambridge audio dacmagic audio playback of cd, dvd and even firstgeneration universal players with digital outputs.
Over 3 years in the making, utilising a team of 9 engineers, the result is edge. I currently have one of these at home for a home demo. May 14, 20 i am getting a cambridge audio dac magic 100 tonight. Thanks to a wolfson 24bit dac, a 24bit96khz driverless usb audio 1. Azur dacmagic 100 media converter pdf manual download. As a result, practically any file from mp3s to highresolution lossless, streaming services such as spotify and pandora, skype, games, and even films sounds fuller, richer, and more detailed when played through dacmagic. Dacmagic plus high quality home audio cambridge audio. I purchased this in the uk at the cambridge audio ca distributor there, richer sounds while i was visiting. Linux and cambridge dacmagic 100 hello rlinuxquestions. Mar 02, 2012 richer sounds began selling their cambridge audio dacmagic 100 yesterday, thursday 1st march 2012. According to cambridge audio, the linear phase filter is a highly regarded audio filter offering low ripple in both the pass and stop bands, and what is known as. Difference between bluesound node 2i and cambridge cxn v2. Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 black dac richer sounds. Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 2 channel hifi wigwam.
View and download cambridge audio azur dacmagic 100 user manual online. So, while other manufacturers force you to choose whether you want standard digital coaxial or optical or usb connections, cambridge offers all of them. The cambridge audio dacmagic xs is focused on being portable and universal. As the rlink refused to switch on unless i replugged in the device each time the cambridge dac magic 100. Review cambridge audio dacmagic listening test english. Getting a cambridge audio dac magic 100 tonight what. Connect up to four devices control panel on the front lets. The chosen unit will be used with active monitors focal and headphones beyerdynamic dt880 pro 250 ohm via pc daw. Ive been looking at various digitalanalog converters to let me take the next step in my audio setup. Cambridge audio dacmagic 100, digital to analogue converter. They arent very bright by day, and swell at night except at night, you cant read the. Vocals are given space to breathe and, even with a mix of instruments thrown in, everything knits together well.
Oct 30, 20 the cambridge delivers plenty of insight and has an appealingly delicate way with vocals theres natural warmth here and a nice fullbodied balance. Mar 28, 2012 this thread is dedicated to the cambridge audio dacmagic plus which may very well be the best value dac on the market today. Cambridge audio is a british manufacturer of highend audio equipment. But the technology that we find on the dacmagic actually trickles down from two of the flagship models, the 740c and the 840c. I am looking to get a stereo dac soon and a used benchmark and the cambridge audio are at roughly the same price point. Cambridge audio warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship subject to the terms set forth below. New listing cambridge audio dacmagic digital to analogue converter black. Cambridge audio is basically their own brand, so the dacmagic is one of the most popular dacs on the market. Running a mac book pro via airport express and optical connection to the dacmagic thence into naim pre and power. If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me.
Compatible with most audio devices connects over usb. A product true to cambridge audios foundations of creative innovation and entrepreneurial ambition. The xlr output is slightly better in quality as it can reject interference and noise in the cable connection and is the preferred option if your amplifier features balanced xlr inputs. Create a system that delivers previously undiscovered layers of detail, is highly transparent, offering superlative soundstaging. The dacmagic will output analogue audio from the unbalancedbalanced outputs upsampled to 192khz 24bit.
The axa35 is a stereo amplifier that slots into cambridge audio s new ax range of hifi components. The da chips are the same wolfson wmb8740 24bit dacs used in cambridge audios azur 740c and 840c cd players. But, in the price range of the cambridge audio, i prefer the schitt modi 3. Momentarily press the filterphase selector button to cycle between three different filter modes. Highresolution audio state of the art wolfson wm872 dac processor.