"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein
I believe that simplicity of the signal path will yield the purest sound possible and this has been the guiding principle behind my h-fi system choices. That is why I chose simple, highly efficient, wide band speakers, which can be driven by a basic vacuum tube amplification circuit that contains only a handful of parts.
The Aeolus Audio magiDAC caught my attention because of the simplicity of its output stage. After the DAC chip there is only a resistor and transformer… that‘s it! There are no op-amps, transistors, tubes, capacitors, filters or feedback to muck-up the sound. Intrigued, I ordered the standard unit without the optional transformer or digital clock upgrades.
When the DAC arrived, I was quite impressed by its extruded aluminum case and high quality fit and finish. Because my Cambridge transport offers digital volume control, I was able to connect the DAC directly into my *power amplifier for the simplest signal path possible.
Listening to this DAC, the first thing I noticed was that the high frequency hash I had previously heard using the Cambridge transport’s internal DAC is now completely gone. The magiDAC just seems to let the music flow out of it in a way that is tonally and spatially natural. With the very best recordings, the musicians and their instruments seem to be right there in the room with you. It has been a blast playing all my favorite discs and feeling as if I am hearing, for the very first time, just how good they truly are!
If you are in the market for a well-built, good sounding, affordable DAC that provides a lot of bang-for-the-buck, I do not see how you could go wrong with this one. This DAC should be on your audition list even if your budget is substantially higher than the magiDAC’s $325 retail price. BTW, I have no affiliation with Aeolus Audio or Audiomagus other than being a happy customer.
(* My tube amplifier has high input impedance, which is an easy load for the DAC to drive… YMMV.)
The DAC specifications and photos can be found at this link:
http://www.audio-magus.com/Aeolus_DAC_1_p/adac1.htm
