DACMAGIC XS vs Meridian explorer2

[hybridauth_Twitter_2866638568]

Hi, I'd like to ask for some recommendation between DACMAGIC XS, Meridian explorer and Meridian explorer 2. I use B&W P7 as a headphone and need a DAC USB[ my first DAC/DAC USB]. Done with the researh, I found DACPORT/ Dragonfly v1.2/ DACMAGIC XS/ Meridian explorer 2 etc. Now, I decided to choose between DACMAGIC XS and Meridian explorer2. I don't have strict budget but I want to make the right choice. I know both can do 24bit 192kHz but need to know which one has better[clear, warm, etc]. I did some goolging but it's hard to get informations about the comparison of these two. DACMAGIC XS:http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/hifi-and-home-cinema/dacmagic-xs#specification Meridian Explorer2:https://www.meridian-audio.com/products/personal-audio/explorer2/#post-specificationhttp://ronis.hr/Explorer2_Datasheet.pdf

 

[Andy Clough]

We haven't tested the Meridian Explorer 2 yet, but have tested the CA DacMagic XS:

http://www.whathifi.com/cambridge-audio/dacmagic-xs/review

And you can read our review of the original Meridan Explorer DAC here:

http://www.whathifi.com/meridian/explorer-dac/review

 

[mitch65]

If you shop around you can get the original Meridian Explorer for around the £125 mark which makes it excellent value. Whether the mark 2 version is worth the extra outlay for MQA technology only you can decide.

http://www.martinshifi.co.uk/news/196/christmas-clearance-sale/

 

[vpacalypse]

We haven't tested the Meridian Explorer 2 yet, but have tested the CA DacMagic XS:

http://www.whathifi.com/cambridge-audio/dacmagic-xs/review

And you can read our review of the original Meridan Explorer DAC here:

http://www.whathifi.com/meridian/explorer-dac/review

when will you be holding the review for explorer 2 then?

 

[SteveR750]

I cannot compare to the Explorer, but the XS is ridiculously good for £80. Don't let the 4 star rview put you off, I think WHF are in an anti-Cambridge Audio phase, as these things apear to be cyclic 🙂 If you use it with their USB 2 driver it will transform a PC, and its small enough to go anywhere. The only downside is 2V might not be enough to drive insensitive phones to ear deafening levels - I've used it with my DT880s which are only 96dB/1mW so lousy in that respect, and it's perfectly usable. Used with a pair of Klipsch X11s and it's way too loud at max volume, so plenty of headroom with more sensitive portable phones and IEMs.

 

[Green Bow]

If I am correct the different DAC in the Explorer v1 and v2 may make a change in audio sound character. The v2 has MQA capability, so it depends whether it's a completely new DAC. (Unless that's done entirely by the op-amp and surrounding components.)

Might be best to wait for a v2 pro-review before buying. The What Hi-Fi Explorer v1 review is spot on so if you see a bargain priced one, you know. Think also that MQA might be a hype issue and might be years before you use it. Personally I think CD quality or 24/192 will be quite sufficient for anyone. MQA is just more highly compressed I think. Therefor what's the big deal unless you have zillions of tracks at a few GB each and low storage. Of course more highly compressed files need less bandwidth if you intend streaming.