DAC Magic for Sonos ??

[Andy H]

Hi all, I got my Sonos last week and I'm very impressed with the functionality of it but I'm not keen on the sound at high volume. Compared to my CD player it sounds awful.

I've just been in touch with RS about a DAC Magic and just wanted any opinions on it.

They wont budge on price so it's £229. but will throw in a £20 IC or a £30 one for a tenner. I would use this lead for now untill funds allow something better.

Any thoughts guys before I blow my little wedge?

 

[mikeinbrum]

I use an external DAC with my sonos and it is a definite improvement. I'm sure you'd find the same with the DACmagic. I take it you are using the non-amplified sonos box into your hifi amp? that's the only way you can fit an external DAC in the middle.

 

[Anonymous]

The DacMagic will be an upgrade on the Sonos.

I'm not sure if it would be better than the 192 or not; probably just different.

My worry is that if you prefer the 192 the Sonos system will always be second best, when it doesn't have to be, when used with the appropriate DAC.

The advice I will give, therefore, is to either:

a) Save for a DAC that will be a clear improvement on the CD player too, and use the Arcam as a CD transport.

b) Upgrade the 192 to a Cambridge 840C, and use the digital inputs on that CD for the Sonos too. Richer Sounds offer a money back guarantee so I beg you to try it.

 

[Andy H]

Yes I'm using the ZP90 into my hifi. I was going to use the digital/coaxial output as I've read it's better than the optical.

Thanks for your input. Which DAC are you using and how big was the diff'.?

 

[Anonymous]

Id go for it as well unless you want to spend considerably more? i listened to quite a few in the end after hassling different people the beresford 7510 6/3 think thats the right model off the top of my head, dacmagic, cyrus dac x, chord dac64 and for the money its great yes the cyrus was better and the chord even better than that but at a seriously bigger outlay. I bought the beresford (now sold) and the dacmagic borrowed the other 2 and still have the dacmagic in use at the minute waiting for a dac64 possibly second hand but ive bought so much recently is on hold for a short while!

 

[Andy H]

Sorry Mike I see your dac in your info.

The Dac upgrade is for the Sonos only, I can't afford a more expensive one to replace the cd. I must be honest though I'm very happy with the cd player.

I love the features of the Sonos and I wonder if after a while the cd player may become redundant and I may be converted to a non cd based system. If this ever happens then that would be the time to get a better DAC.

 

[Anonymous]

There should be no difference between optical and coaxial.

Maybe What HiFi could measure the two and confirm?

 

[mikeinbrum]

I'm using the Bel Canto Dac 3, which is a super product- but with a premium pricetag (partly because it also acts as a pre-amplifier). If you wanted to take the next step up from the DACmagic, I think you'd be looking at Benchmark or Stello who both have offerings around the £800 mark. A big jump in price but an appreciable jump in quality. Oh..... I almost forgot PS Audio who are selling their DAC through their UK Dealiers at £650. That's a great price!

I noticed a very large difference in quality. Rather than sounding acceptable, the sound was immediately, and clearly more enjoyable than even my old ARCAM FMJ cd/amp combination provided. What amp are you using? as this may also dictate what price point you should be looking at for your potential DAC purchase

 

[Anonymous]

mikeinbrum:
I'm using the Bel Canto Dac 3, which is a super product- but with a premium pricetag (partly because it also acts as a pre-amplifier). If you wanted to take the next step up from the DACmagic, I think you'd be looking at Benchmark or Stello who both have offerings around the £800 mark. A big jump in price but an appreciable jump in quality. Oh..... I almost forgot PS Audio who are selling their DAC through their UK Dealiers at £650. That's a great price!

I noticed a very large difference in quality. Rather than sounding acceptable, the sound was immediately, and clearly more enjoyable than even my old ARCAM FMJ cd/amp combination provided. What amp are you using? as this may also dictate what price point you should be looking at for your potential DAC purchase

The pre-amp is seful.

He can sell all of the separate boxes and just feed the power amplifier.

 

[Andy H]

I'm off to RS now to have a listen.

I'll think I'll be coming home with a nice new shiny box He He!

My thoughts are that it would improve things and I'll let you all know how I get on.

Thanks once again.

 

[mikeinbrum]

Exactly the approach I took.

Out went the ARCAM CD17 and A28.

In came the DAC 3 and M300 monobloc power amps. Now totally CD-less, much more convenient, and much better quality!

You know what......even the Napster streaming sounds superb through the setup. Something I'd never thought I'd say!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Andy H:I'm off to RS now to have a listen.

I'll think I'll be coming home with a nice new shiny box He He!

My thoughts are that it would improve things and I'll let you all know how I get on.

Thanks once again.

It will make a big improvement if you are using lossless files.

 

[Andy H]

Yes all encoded using flac.

I've just re ripped everything changing from 320kb which was used for the ipod.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using a ZP90 into my Cyrus DAC/XP and the sound is as good, if not better than my Cyrus CD8X + PSX-R. Needless to say the CDP is now sold and the only source I'm using is the SONOS, don't think I'll be investing in a CDP ever again.

 

[Andy H]

Hi all, just got back from RS and guess what, YES! I bought it.

I must say I'm quite impressed, a major improvement on the Sonos sound. Much better tighter bass and less fizz up top, hard to put into words really but far far better.

I must be honest I like it so much that I think I'm going to do a back to back with my cd over the wk/end when I've got the time. I'll put a post up to let you all know my impressions.

Thankyou all for your input, unfortunately I've got to go to work now (******) so hardly any time to play. That will come this evening coupled with some lagers so it'll be a good night tonight.

Cheers Andy.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Andy H:Hi all, just got back from RS and guess what, YES! I bought it.

I must say I'm quite impressed, a major improvement on the Sonos sound. Much better tighter bass and less fizz up top, hard to put into words really but far far better.

I must be honest I like it so much that I think I'm going to do a back to back with my cd over the wk/end when I've got the time. I'll put a post up to let you all know my impressions.

Thankyou all for your input, unfortunately I've got to go to work now (******) so hardly any time to play. That will come this evening coupled with some lagers so it'll be a good night tonight.

Cheers Andy.

Ebay to see another ad for a 192 very soon methinks.

 

[Andy H]

I've a feeling you might be right there on my initial feelings.

 

[mikeinbrum]

Another convert!ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

The 192 was nice a few years ago, and still is, but in the current market there are some excellent digital products for not much money.

The DAC Magic seems very popular here, and deservedly so.

Joel Sim might upgrade to one soon.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Eddie Pound:
The 192 was nice a few years ago, and still is, but in the current market there are some excellent digital products for not much money.

The DAC Magic seems very popular here, and deservedly so.

Joel Sim might upgrade to one soon.

And Labour will pull us out of the recession within the next couple of months!!

 

[mikeinbrum]

oooohhhhh naughty!