Was going to post this in PC section, but given a) the potential interest in the DACmagic + and b) the prevalance of USB orientated DACs, well shock USB wins news, I have set up the magic plus in ASIO mode with the USB driver (which you have to download from the CA website) and it blows chunks over the optical setting. Not quite my words, but my teenage son who has much sharper hearing than I much prefers the USB setting.
It's much more open, clearer top end but without any additional harshness, but before the cable brigade jump in, this is all with the short 50p usb cable that comes in the box, not some uber expensive directional one that only works when your central heating doesnt. The optical connection however does have at least a nod to that with a TCI coral cable. The USB cable connection feels pretty flimsy so I can imagine a half decent one should improve things again.
It's much more open, clearer top end but without any additional harshness, but before the cable brigade jump in, this is all with the short 50p usb cable that comes in the box, not some uber expensive directional one that only works when your central heating doesnt. The optical connection however does have at least a nod to that with a TCI coral cable. The USB cable connection feels pretty flimsy so I can imagine a half decent one should improve things again.