Dacmagic 100 with CD63ki?

[Mohsin]

I have been looking at getting a dac to use between my apple TV and my marantz amp. I have considered just getting a CYP dac for £40 - £50 but quite like the look of the dacmagic 100 which I can get for £150. I was also considering running my marantz cd63ki through the dacmagic. Is this likely to improve the sound of the cd player or is the internal dac likely to be just as good or even better?

Mo

 

[MajorFubar]

I haven't tried the Dacmagic 100, but for reference, I run my computer through a HRT II+ which was £300 and was highly rated when it was launched in 2011, particular in its native US. When I bought it in 2012, having at that point decided to move to computer-playback from direct CD playback, I expected a sound from it which would wipe the floor with my CD63KI. Truth is there wasn't much in it. In fact sometimes I still prefer to listen to the Marantz and enjoy both its sound and the experience of putting on a 'real' CD instead of streaming.

Maybe it's just me. Some people hear night-and-day differences between digital sources, yet I do not, beyond a fairly low threshold. A qualitative plateau seems to be reached at about £75-£100 (some would say cheaper), and while I haven't heard megabuck DACs, certainly tripling the price doesn't make extraordinary differences to my ears.

 

[Mohsin]

Thanks for your reply. I currently use my cd63ki more then any other source so thought it would be a bonus if the dac could improve on that. I think your right in suggesting there may be very little in it if anything. I will speak to RS and see if they will allow me to demo it. Failing that I could buy it and sell it on if doesnt add anything. The dacmagics seem to demand good money on ebay so it maybe a small loss and a interesting few days of testing at worst.

 

[professorhat]

I found that I preferred using my CD63 KI direct into my amp rather than running through my DacMagic (one of the "new" originals one released a few years back). Best bet is obviously try it and see if you can though.