Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M good value for money?

[MerseyMal]

Looking at getting a DAC and noticed that while it reviewed well, this was reviewed at about £450 but the price has since had a 22% price hike to £550.

Is it still good value for money or should I look elsewhere?

 

[record_spot]

Yes. Excellent VFM. Excellent DAC.

Cambridge DACMagic 200M - the latest purchase

I picked up a DACMagic 200M recently for a very good price and have been trying it out. Many years ago, I used to own the DACMagic of the 2009 or so vintage. Much as I liked the aim of the thing, it just sounded a tad too clinical and dry, which robbed the listener of the enjoyment and depth...

forums.whathifi.com

Incidentally, I purchased mine "Open Box" from Cambridge via their Ebay site. Time it right and you'll get a decent discount off the full RRP. And I'll be damned if mine was Open anything. It was packed, in a brand new box and completely as new. All the accessories were mint and internal packaging untouched.

 

[Dom]

I have not heard the 200M personally, but I looked at it in Richer Sounds and considered buying it.

In terms of specs its well equipped with Dual ESS SABRE ES9028Q2M 32 Bit DAC's capable of 768kHz PCM.

Whether its worth the money is subjective. One person might consider it a worthwhile investment while another might not.

I fall into that latter category unfortunately.

 

[plastic penguin]

Looking at getting a DAC and noticed that while it reviewed well, this was reviewed at about £450 but the price has since had a 22% price hike to £550.

Is it still good value for money or should I look elsewhere?

Depends on the usage. I purchased mine just to connect the TV to amp -- somewhat of an overkill.

If you're using it to connect different musical sources that makes it more viable. Yes, good Dac but most of the budget Dacs are, having demoed different brands around that similar price bracket (Arcam, Peachtree, Rega and suchlike).

 

[record_spot]

To the OP and on the back of what I was saying earlier, here's a couple of links to the Cambridge Ebay site...

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Open Box | eBay

DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Open Box. DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTERS. Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs - easily handles digital audio files up to 32bit/768kHz or DSD512. Built in Bluetooth aptX - send digital audio files from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly.

www.ebay.co.uk

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Refurbished | eBay

DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Refurbished. DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTERS. Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs - easily handles digital audio files up to 32bit/768kHz or DSD512. Built in Bluetooth aptX - send digital audio files from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly.

www.ebay.co.uk

So, £449 or £359 depending if you get the Open Box or the refurbished model. Factor in an Ebay discount if there's one going just now, and you'll save even more. Plus Cambridge give you 30 days to try or return.

 

[MerseyMal]

To the OP and on the back of what I was saying earlier, here's a couple of links to the Cambridge Ebay site...

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Open Box | eBay

DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Open Box. DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTERS. Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs - easily handles digital audio files up to 32bit/768kHz or DSD512. Built in Bluetooth aptX - send digital audio files from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly.

www.ebay.co.uk

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Refurbished | eBay

DacMagic 200M Digital to Analogue Converter - Refurbished. DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTERS. Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs - easily handles digital audio files up to 32bit/768kHz or DSD512. Built in Bluetooth aptX - send digital audio files from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly.

www.ebay.co.uk

So, £449 or £359 depending if you get the Open Box or the refurbished model. Factor in an Ebay discount if there's one going just now, and you'll save even more. Plus Cambridge give you 30 days to try or return.

Ordered an open box for £427 after Ebay discount.

Cheers!

 

[Dom]

Tremendous, as I'm sure it will give you hours of enjoyment with its clean, detailed and punchy sound.

 

[nightanddaygamechangers]

Ordered an open box for £427 after Ebay discount.

Cheers!

What amp and speakers do you have?

 

[landco]

No, in 2023 there is no point in buying a DAC as a separate device

 

[Gray]

Whether its worth the money is subjective. One person might consider it a worthwhile investment while another might not.

I fall into that latter category unfortunately.

So do I.
Nice though it undoubtedly looks, I really think a blind sound test between it and (for example) either of two S.M.S.L. models SU1 for under £100 and the new dC6 at under £200, would prove interesting.

 

[Gray]

Whether its worth the money is subjective. One person might consider it a worthwhile investment while another might not.

I fall into that latter category unfortunately.

So do I.
Nice though it undoubtedly looks, I really think a blind sound test between it and (for example) either of two S.M.S.L. models SU1 for under £100 and the new dC6 at under £200, would prove interesting.

 

[Gray]

No, in 2023 there is no point in buying a DAC as a separate device

That will come as shock news to Topping and S.M.S.L......they sell thousands of the things and bring out new models every month.

 

[Dom]

No, in 2023 there is no point in buying a DAC as a separate device

Whether or not there is a point in buying a DAC as a separate is highly subjective, the 200m is a high quality and feature rich DAC that has its place along side other separates.

 

[Al ears]

Whether or not there is a point in buying a DAC as a separate is highly subjective, the 200m is a high quality and feature rich DAC that has its place along side other separates.

I believe there is every point in buying one as a separate as major advances are being made in this department unlike others such as amplifiers themselves.
It's a bit like buying an amplifier with an inbuilt phono stage, only to find with further equipment changes that phono stage is somewhat lacking.....

 

[record_spot]

No, in 2023 there is no point in buying a DAC as a separate device

Yeah...not quite sure about that logic, but each to their own.

 

[MerseyMal]

What amp and speakers do you have?

Technics SU-A900Mk2 amp and TDL RTL3 speakers. Will be looking at possible upgrades in 2024.

 

[Al ears]

What amp and speakers do you have?

Does that really matter?

 

[nightanddaygamechangers]

Does that really matter?

I’ve seen people spend a considerable amount on a DAC, which was arguably a poor investment. In one instance a Denafrips Pontus II, which is about £2k, was being used with an amp and speakers with a combined value of about £700. It would probably have been better to spend the £2k on upgrading other parts of their system first.

There are a few on here who make blanket recommendations without knowing what the associated equipment is. Would you spend, or recommend someone else spend, £500 on a set of tyres for a clapped out old Fiesta?

I was just curious, but arguably something like the SMSL SU-1 mentioned above, for less than £100, would have been more appropriate, based on their existing equipment.

So I’d say yes, though obviously less relevant if they’ve already spent their money.

 

[record_spot]

I’ve seen people spend a considerable amount on a DAC, which was arguably a poor investment. In one instance a Denafrips Pontus II, which is about £2k, was being used with an amp and speakers with a combined value of about £700. It would probably have been better to spend the £2k on upgrading other parts of their system first.

There are a few on here who make blanket recommendations without knowing what the associated equipment is. Would you spend, or recommend someone else spend, £500 on a set of tyres for a clapped out old Fiesta?

I was just curious, but arguably something like the SMSL SU-1 mentioned above, for less than £100, would have been more appropriate, based on their existing equipment.

So I’d say yes, though obviously less relevant if they’ve already spent their money.

Why would a £100 DAC with reduced connectivity, a reduced feature set and no headphone amp be comparable?

The OP's amp was around £400 on release.

The TDL3 transmission line speakers were excellent too.

Your reach is rather off the mark. The OP asked if the 200M was still a good DAC despite the price increase. I'm assuming they - and any other possible buyer - will do their own legwork in determining if it's suitable for their needs.

I gave my views on the DAC and other options in buying one instead of a full price purchase. The OP can send it back if it's not to their liking. I'm not sure where that's bad advice. YMMV.

 

[Dom]

I believe there is every point in buying one as a separate as major advances are being made in this department unlike others such as amplifiers themselves.
It's a bit like buying an amplifier with an inbuilt phono stage, only to find with further equipment changes that phono stage is somewhat lacking.....

Unfortunately landco doesn't provide any reasoning in his comment, if he could provide information it could enhance its legitimacy.

 

[Jasonovich]

Looking at getting a DAC and noticed that while it reviewed well, this was reviewed at about £450 but the price has since had a 22% price hike to £550.

Is it still good value for money or should I look elsewhere?

Worth considering the WiiM Pro Plus+ at £247 retail price (I got mine for £219) is not far off the Cambridge in terms of sound quality and has a wonderful app you can download on to your Android or iOS.

 

[MerseyMal]

Worth considering the WiiM Pro Plus+ at £247 retail price (I got mine for £219) is not far off the Cambridge in terms of sound quality and has a wonderful app you can download on to your Android or iOS.

Considered that but I'll be using the DAC with multiple sources.

 

[MerseyMal]

Hifi room not setup yet so have been using it with headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro) with my android phone hooked up via USB running USB Audio Player Pro for Tidal.

Am happy with it.

 

[Jasonovich]

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro needs 250-Ohm to run, it's great your Android phone is taming the beast or are you using a headphone dongle with your Android?

 

[plastic penguin]

To be honest I was chocked off headphones by a pair of Grado SR60i - fingers down a blackboard.

Now I just use a cheapo pair of Sony, purchased from Tesco.