What Dac next - Advice please

[Zoidburg]

Hi there,

I've been using my CA Dacmagic for about 3 years now and though happy with it I have been wondering what I would require to significantly better it. I have tried a an Arcam Rdac which although I have not had long does not really seem to be a step up (TBH I wasnt expecting it to be hugely better but actually im struggling to hear anything between them).

So I am now thinking of selling both and added a bit of cash to the equation. So what dacs should I be thinking about. I hear that the Beresford is good but again its in the same sort of price bracket as the 2 I have so is it just going to be different rather than better?

Looking forward to all your thoughts / recommendations please.

cheers

Ben

[StanleyB]

I have both a DACMagic and an rDAC (which reminds me that I should put them on ebay now I don't need them any more), and I can hear a difference between them. So if you are thinking of getting a new DAC and you are looking for a significant improvement, also take a look at the rest of your system. You might have a bottle neck or two there that prevents you from getting the most from your playback.

As for price range: keep in mind that you are buying directly from the designer. So there is no added reseller margin, which allows me to keep my prices low. But more importantly, I don't compete on price, but on performance. If you want to spend more, then there are ample choices. If you want something significantly better, you have to give an indication of what you want to be significantly improved. The term means different things to different people. You can find the Caiman MKII in the system of members on this forum, and others, that cost the best part of a five figure sum. So I don't think that those kind of owners would have any problem in picking something a lot more expensive if they felt that the Caiman MKII did not live up to their expectations.

And then there is the no quibble guarantee that if you can't hear a significant improvement (my mission statement and guarantee that no other DAC manufacturer in the world has yet dared to match in so many words), you can quite happily return your purchase. You won't need to go to the small claims court to get your money back :). I appreciate it that I have many customers with one or other hearing defect (age or otherwise), and customers with less than revealing systems. So it is most reassuring for customers to know that they won't be stuck with a less than satisfactory purchase.

[purite audio]

I would make a list of the features you require, do you need just a standalone dac, or do you also need it to be a preamp,
is variable analogue output important,is an analogue attenuator, would you like it to be DSD capable etc etc.


Keith.

[Zoidburg]

Thanks Keith

I do not know what an analogue attenuator is or what DSD is though, can you enlighten me pls? :scratch::D:scratch:


I would make a list of the features you require, do you need just a standalone dac, or do you also need it to be a preamp,
is variable analogue output important,is an analogue attenuator, would you like it to be DSD capable etc etc.


Keith.

[Zoidburg]

Thanks for your input Stan,

I am looking for a less digital sound, something with more space and finesse maybe if that makes sense? I dont need it to be a pre amp but I do need at least 3 inputs including USB ideally.

I will spend a bit more time swapping between the 2 DAC's I already have to see if like you I can tell between them. Then maybe I can think about alternatives and may well drop you a line.........



I have both a DACMagic and an rDAC (which reminds me that I should put them on ebay now I don't need them any more), and I can hear a difference between them. So if you are thinking of getting a new DAC and you are looking for a significant improvement, also take a look at the rest of your system. You might have a bottle neck or two there that prevents you from getting the most from your playback.

As for price range: keep in mind that you are buying directly from the designer. So there is no added reseller margin, which allows me to keep my prices low. But more importantly, I don't compete on price, but on performance. If you want to spend more, then there are ample choices. If you want something significantly better, you have to give an indication of what you want to be significantly improved. The term means different things to different people. You can find the Caiman MKII in the system of members on this forum, and others, that cost the best part of a five figure sum. So I don't think that those kind of owners would have any problem in picking something a lot more expensive if they felt that the Caiman MKII did not live up to their expectations.

And then there is the no quibble guarantee that if you can't hear a significant improvement (my mission statement and guarantee that no other DAC manufacturer in the world has yet dared to match in so many words), you can quite happily return your purchase. You won't need to go to the small claims court to get your money back :). I appreciate it that I have many customers with one or other hearing defect (age or otherwise), and customers with less than revealing systems. So it is most reassuring for customers to know that they won't be stuck with a less than satisfactory purchase.

[Werner Berghofer]

Ben,

I do not know what an analogue attenuator is or what DSD is though, can you enlighten me pls? :scratch::D:scratch:
Direct Stream Digital (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Stream_Digital) (DSD) – basically the technology to store audio signals on digital store media that are used for SACDs. Honestly I have no idea what analogue attenuators might be ;-)

Werner.

[Zoidburg]

Ahh I see, well I don't own any SACD's and don't plan on getting any so that might resolve that one.

cheers


Ben,

Direct Stream Digital (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Stream_Digital) (DSD) – basically the technology to store audio signals on digital store media that are used for SACDs. Honestly I have no idea what analogue attenuators might be ;-)

Werner.

[loonytunes]

Ben, after many experiences with DACs, including the rDAC you have there, I would recommend the Arcam irDAC - it truly is in a different league to the rDAC before it!

I'm rating this DAC on musical performance irrespective of price. What put me off this DAC to begin with was the great reviews from What Hi-Fi! I shy away from kit with rave reviews from comics (usually). Also the fact that it would be nice to be different rather than recommend plain ol' Arcam, sometimes seen as a second tier audiophile product.

So with all that against the irDAC - it's likely to be shunned very easily by me - but NO - this DAC sings beautifully despite my prejudice before listening. You must however leave this DAC running and in situ for at least a couple of days before this DAC comes out of its shell. It's truly a "great" DAC!!!

[Zoidburg]

Thanks for your comments Chris. I've been swapping between both my current dacs today in a bid to try and decide on a "winner" and I think the Arcam just shades it over the Cambridge in my system. It's not night and day but the Arcam is going to stay for a few weeks maybe until I can make a decision on what's next. Will have a read up on the irdac you mentioned cheers.

[walpurgis]

If you only need optical or phono RCA input, you'd have to go a long way to better this: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?33756-Theta-DS-Pro-Progeny-DAC-version-A

It's an extremely good DAC and on sale here at a very reasonable price. I had one for several years and it sounded vastly better than your average mass production UK brand DAC. Theta stuff is a bit special!

[loonytunes]

The Theta looks excellent vfm - but don't be put off by comments like "it sounded vastly better than your average mass production UK brand DAC" - I too thought along those same lines to avoid "mass production" - however in Arcam's case - for this particular model (the irDAC) - they've done something special - whether by fluke I don't know - but it certainly sounds superb even though you won't have that exclusive brand wow factor. The rDAC before it was only knee high to the SQ offered by the irDAC.

Best you try it and see for yourself.

Be careful with swapping kit out quickly when testing, you are best to listen to something that's been plugged in and settled for a couple of days - take a note of how you "feel" about the presentation of the music - then you'll know whether you miss it or not when taken out of the chain later.

[purite audio]

The ideal would be to draw a list of 'possibles' and then audition them at home,
Keith.
FYI there is nothing inside a dac that would take more than minutes to reach operating temperature, your initial reactions to a new item of equipment are IMHO valid, over time your ears become accustomed to the 'new' sound.

[hifi_dave]

Rega have a new DAC later this month. Worth waiting to hear.

[technobear]

The iFi Audio micro iDSD is winning a lot of friends and positive comment around the net. I love mine. If it's a less digital, more musical presentation that you are looking for then this would be a good starting point. Even if you don't need all the extra features - and it has many - it stands up as a bloody good DAC at the price (£430).

[WAD62]

The iFi Audio micro iDSD is winning a lot of friends and positive comment around the net. I love mine. If it's a less digital, more musical presentation that you are looking for then this would be a good starting point. Even if you don't need all the extra features - and it has many - it stands up as a bloody good DAC at the price (£430).

I'm not surprised Chris, I have the nano and it's tremendous, so I've no doubt the micro is even better...:)

How does it compare to your CDQ?

[337alant]

I have had an M2Tech Young DAC for a couple years now, I bought it second hand for £600 (£1200 new at the time) and I have no desire to change it they are excellent IMO.
capable of up to 32 bit / 384Khz sample rate.
They do benefit from a better power supply than the wallwart supplied with them, I made my own linear power supply for approx. £100

Alan

[Zoidburg]

The young dac is definitely a possibility as on looks alone I love them. Nice to know they have upgrade potential as well. Will keep an eye on the classifieds I think.