A DAC as well as a music streamer?

[seasonsdownfall]

Hi guys,

been looking and mentioned previously in posts before that i'm after a network player as my next purchase. Had my eye on the CA NP30, and now recently just came across the Pioneers N50.

I know when I've seen the np30, it was connected to CA's dac magic, though this wasn't on at the time... and have noticed the pioneers on board DAC seems to get a big mention in their specs.

What i'm asking is... is there any need in getting both? I'm certain on getting a streamer soon, as a jack from my computer just isn't ideal..

Thanks.

 

[nads]

Well if the streamer is not up to much then a DAC my help.

It would make more sece to get a streamer that has good DACs in it from the start though.

 

[The_Lhc]

Yup, all depends on the relative quality of the DACs in each piece of equipment. Plug a £1000 DAC into a £100 streamer and you'll probably hear an improvement, plug a £100 DAC into a £1000 streamer and you probably won't...

 

[seasonsdownfall]

Well it's interesting as when i heard the np30, there was a dacmagic running through it as i've mentioned, although it wasn't switched on. may have to go back and demo myself, see if there's any difference!

 

[nads]

I would hope that a CA NP30 would need a DAC? Let alone a DacMagic. Considering a DacMagic does not improve a squeezebox touch.

 

[The_Lhc]

Well it's interesting as when i heard the np30, there was a dacmagic running through it as i've mentioned, although it wasn't switched on.

It wasn't running through the DACMagic then. I'd imagine (although I can't be bothered) to check) that the DACs in the NP30 will be similar to the ones in the DACMagic.

 

[nads]

Well it seems that it has the DacMagic plus built in.

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/cambridge-audio-stream-magic-6

 

[The_Lhc]

Well it seems that it has the DacMagic plus built in.

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/cambridge-audio-stream-magic-6

Err, that doesn't refer to the NP30.

 

[CambridgeAudioCare]

Hi there,

Thanks for your interest – we’d just like to clarify a couple of points in this thread.

The NP30 delivers high quality audio all on its own - it uses a Wolfson WM8728 24-bit/96kHz capable DAC, which is the same as we use in our Azur 350C.

You absolutely do not have to use a DacMagic or DacMagic Plus in conjunction with the NP30, but it’s certainly something that can be added if you’re wanting to upgrade the sound and get even better audio performance. The NP30 and DacMagic/DacMagic Plus do not use the same DACs. Both the DacMagic and DacMagic Plus use twin Wolfson WM8740 DACs in conjunction with our ATF audio upsampling technology.

Also, why not check out our new Stream Magic 6 network player which will be available in the next month or so - lots of threads on WHF forum about this new model. It’s essentially an NP30 with a DacMagic Plus built in...

Thanks

 

[seasonsdownfall]

Excellent, thanks very much for the info.

Look forward to seeing the new product!

 

[John Duncan]

It’s essentially an NP30 with a DacMagic Plus built in...

Hey, that's MY line! :-D