New Cambridge DacMagic?

jon_010101 · « **on:** 11 Sep 2008, 10:13 pm »

Linky

Just saw this on Stereophile and engadget - and they note that it might be ~199 GBP

I think I may need one. Anyone have more info / rumors on this? Looks like an early Christmas gift to myself, since I never did buy an 840C.

jrebman · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Sep 2008, 10:18 pm »

Hi John,

Yes, I'm looking at it pretty seriously for my second system. From my days as an Audio Aero Capitole owner, I know the Anagram upsampling technology is one of the few over/upsampling technologies I can actually enjoy. Between that and the three choices for filters, and the 50 ohm output impedance, this could be a really nice little DAC for $400.

Are you planning on making the drive from Salt Lake to RMAF? If so, let's try to hook up at some point.

-- Jim

P.S. -- Supposedly this will be available here in the U.S. in October. There's some more info over on the computer audiophile site.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Sep 2008, 10:54 pm »

Quote from: jrebman on 11 Sep 2008, 10:18 pm

Are you planning on making the drive from Salt Lake to RMAF? If so, let's try to hook up at some point.

-- Jim

P.S. -- Supposedly this will be available here in the U.S. in October. There's some more info over on the computer audiophile site.

Ya know, it never occurred to me that Denver is "driving distance" (I still think in East-coast terms, where Denver is a few days away

) I'll have to consider it - flights are cheap too at $139 from SLC.

October sounds good - I like my old Denon CD player, but the computer audio possibilities are tremendous with this. The Benchmark seems like a lousy deal at $1k by comparison.

john1970 · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Sep 2008, 11:11 pm »

Looks like a decent bargain for $400. I agree the Benchmark looks expensive by comparison.

bummrush · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Sep 2008, 03:51 pm »

Ecoustics has a little write up.This will be a easy product of the yr in its category.

JohnR · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 07:47 am »

Well, I got one... am I the first? (Surely not

)

wilsynet · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 05:35 pm »

Would love to see a review of this DAC. I've seen a number of write-ups that talk about how many features it has, what kind of components it uses, and the technological wizardry in the software. A UK audio magazine said that at roughly 200 British Pounds it was better than the Beresford DAC that's priced at 100 British Pounds.

I've seen people gush about how it's a contender for product of the year despite having never heard it. Perhaps this DAC is indeed product of the year, but a comparison against equivalently priced or more expensively priced DAC competitors would indeed be a good thing.

JohnR: I believe it is now up to you to provide the first review. =)

jrebman · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 05:48 pm »

Wilson,

I agree, precious little has been said about the sonics and performance of this DAC. I had planned on getting one but opted for a Havana instead.

Supposedly, Chris from The Computer Audiophile is working on a review of the Dac Magic, but as far as I know, there is no set date for publication.

Everybody just needs to get an Izabellina and be done with it

-- Jim

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 06:08 pm »

Do not want to going on in a "metaresearch" on the sonics of this unit, but the evidence points at the fact that Cambridge DAC or DAC+transports tend to be "packed" technically but have not had hardcore defendants that gush on the virtues of the latest electronic gear. Some might say that perhaps Cambridge does not spend too much in kissing up to the media related to audio, but perhaps the lack of info on such a well priced piece might simply mean that is does not sound good? Who knows?

Being "done" by purchasing an I"z"abellina is not an option for people who can afford to spend $400 for the Magic.

The only DACs that get consistent reviews and awards are either uber expensive ones as I can recall (Reimyo, Purcell, Weiss Engineering) What puzzles me is that even middle of road DAC priced up to 2K almost always get hoo hum reviews.

JohnR, how do you like your Magic?

jrebman · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 06:15 pm »

Being "done" by purchasing an I"z"abellina is not an option for people who can afford
to spend $400 for the Magic.

It's called humor.

Lots of good reviews on Audio Sector, paradisea, Monica, and plenty others I'm forgetting at the moment -- all under $500

I have a Devilsound USB DAC that cost a whole $250 and is probably competitive with most stuff up to $1000, and it's the size of a box of matches.

-- Jim

yammy1688 · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 08:14 pm »

I heard that despite the nice specs, it doesn't sound all that great. Could be that it just has a really crappy output section. I wouldn't be surprised if some mods to the analogue out makes a big impact.

JohnR · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 02:27 am »

Looks like I am the first then

TONEPUB · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 03:18 am »

Got one sitting on my desk. Guess I better get going and unbox it!

wilsynet · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 03:54 am »

Yup, AudioSector, Monica, Paridisea all have plenty of solid reviews. Not from the mainstream audio press, but these days, I wonder if perhaps TONE and 6moons should be the ones considered mainstream. It's not true yet, but that's certainly the direction things are going, what with Christian Science Monitor going all digital and the news regarding the Tribune.

Jim is a good guy, and the comment was undoubtedly, as they say, tongue-in-cheek. Jim and I are both presently card carrying members of the Isabellina fan club and the comment was, I'm sure, strictly directed at me with a little humor.

Yes kind sirs, looking very forward to your reviews!

AUDFILE74 · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 06:05 am »

ecoustics.com
had a link to this review;

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/audio-systems/cambridge-audio-dacmagic-digital-to-analogue-converter-465736/review

wilsynet · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 06:35 am »

An excellent article for someone who has never heard of an outboard DAC. =)

JohnR · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 07:21 am »

Hell, I am not going to be "reviewing" it - I had no idea budget USB DACs were such fruitful ground for a pissing contest! Cya...

TONEPUB · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 07:28 am »

Well, I own an Isabella with the DAC option and am very happy with it.

We have a Wadia 781SE here, the Channel Islands VDA2, and my old PSAudio Digital Link
as reference DAC's...

The new McIntosh C500 CD/SACD player can also be used as a DAC and we have the
new PS Digital Link III, so there's plenty of stuff to compare it to!

I'll be doing this one in the gear section of the web, so we'll keep you posted
as soon as it's up!

Stay tuned.

wilsynet · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 07:38 am »

Quote from: JohnR on 14 Dec 2008, 07:21 am

Hell, I am not going to be "reviewing" it - I had no idea budget USB DACs were such fruitful ground for a pissing contest! Cya...

What pissing contest? I was just saying that the linked article has an intended audience that is likely unfamiliar with outboard DACs ...

wilsynet · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Dec 2008, 07:56 am »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 14 Dec 2008, 07:28 am

I'll be doing this one in the gear section of the web, so we'll keep you posted
as soon as it's up!

Looks like you've got a lot of nice stuff. Looking very much forward to the review.

Thanks!