New DAC...

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I think my DAC is now the weakest link in my system... If I had up to £800 to upgrade what would everyone recommend? Do you think this would be the best investment for my cash?

I also plan to upgrade the mains cable on the Roksan amp and the Chord Crimson interconnect soonish.

Cheers

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Blunny89:I think my DAC is now the weakest link in my system... If I had up to £800 to upgrade what would everyone recommend? Do you think this would be the best investment for my cash?

I also plan to upgrade the mains cable on the Roksan amp and the Chord Crimson interconnect soonish.

Cheers

The Crimson is your weakest link.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails:Blunny89:I think my DAC is now the weakest link in my system... If I had up to £800 to upgrade what would everyone recommend? Do you think this would be the best investment for my cash?

I also plan to upgrade the mains cable on the Roksan amp and the Chord Crimson interconnect soonish.

Cheers

The Crimson is your weakest link.

I will be changing the Crimson soonish. Do you think there will be a large difference between the DACMagic and a more expensive DAC? I know you rate the DACMagic highly (as do I) so I would like to hear your thoughts Gerrardasnails.

Thanksies

 

[Anonymous]

In December 2008, Hi Fi Choice ran a group test of DACs which included DACMagic, Cyrus DAC X, Lavry and a few others. The prices range from a few hundred pounds and well beyond the £1K mark for the DAC X. DACMagic was described thus - "The performance of the DacMagic is so good it's almost embarrassing" . Not only was it the group test winner, it was their 2008 Product of the Year as well. There are plenty of other reviews eg. Stereophile (USA) and WHF etc. I would only be changing my DACMagic if I were to spend over £1500 on a new DAC as I do not believe anything less would bring very much improvement. I suggest you save your £800 and spend it on interconnects and more music! Your Crimson is definitely the weakest link at the moment.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Blunny89:Gerrardasnails:Blunny89:I think my DAC is now the weakest link in my system... If I had up to £800 to upgrade what would everyone recommend? Do you think this would be the best investment for my cash?

I also plan to upgrade the mains cable on the Roksan amp and the Chord Crimson interconnect soonish.

Cheers

The Crimson is your weakest link.

I will be changing the Crimson soonish. Do you think there will be a large difference between the DACMagic and a more expensive DAC? I know you rate the DACMagic highly (as do I) so I would like to hear your thoughts Gerrardasnails.

Thanksies

I personally wouldn't expect an £800 DAC to improve things that much. I used very good cables on my system - I know they are probably too much for my system but I got great deals on them. The Crimson is a decent budget cable but you have a great amp and speakers and the DM with lossless files is like a £1k cd player in my eyes so a £30 interconnect is being a bit stingy I think!

Saying all this, I am intrigued at how good a really expensive DAC would sound. I would love to hear a Chord DAC64 in action for instance. Your best bet is to get a good interconnect first because even if you upgrade the DM, you will definitely want better than the Crimson on board then.

Be good to hear your thoughts.

 

[Anonymous]

AKL:In December 2008, Hi Fi Choice ran a group test of DACs which included DACMagic, Cyrus DAC X, Lavry and a few others. The prices range from a few hundred pounds and well beyond the £1K mark for the DAC X. DACMagic was described thus - "The performance of the DacMagic is so good it's almost embarrassing" . Not only was it the group test winner, it was their 2008 Product of the Year as well. There are plenty of other reviews eg. Stereophile (USA) and WHF etc. I would only be changing my DACMagic if I were to spend over £1500 on a new DAC as I do not believe anything less would bring very much improvement. I suggest you save your £800 and spend it on interconnects and more music! Your Crimson is definitely the weakest link at the moment.

Cheers, I didn't know about that group test. Its good to hear when you are being told to save your money

 

[mikeinbrum]

The PS Audio Digital Link iii DAC is currently available for £650 - normally £900(details on the PS Audio website in their packages and specials tab)...... and this definitely offers a tangible boost above and beyond the DACMagic. I've heard both, and the PS Audio is clear winner to my ears. If I were you, I'd be spending my readies here, and using the remaining £££ from your budget to sort out the interconnects.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails:I personally wouldn't expect an £800 DAC to improve things that much. I used very good cables on my system - I know they are probably too much for my system but I got great deals on them. The Crimson is a decent budget cable but you have a great amp and speakers and the DM with lossless files is like a £1k cd player in my eyes so a £30 interconnect is being a bit stingy I think!

Saying all this, I am intrigued at how good a really expensive DAC would sound. I would love to hear a Chord DAC64 in action for instance. Your best bet is to get a good interconnect first because even if you upgrade the DM, you will definitely want better than the Crimson on board then.

Be good to hear your thoughts.

I totally understand where your coming from! I would also love to hear the expensive DACs, if they made that much difference I would certainly consider. In regards to the stingy cable - what would you recommend? I would like to purchase through my local dealer (Analogue Seduction) as I will probably ask for a home demo. Pretty open minded on the price if you can recommend any.

Thanks again Gerrardasnails

 

[Anonymous]

mikeinbrum:The PS Audio Digital Link iii DAC is currently available for £650 - normally £900(details on the PS Audio website in their packages and specials tab)...... and this definitely offers a tangible boost above and beyond the DACMagic. I've heard both, and the PS Audio is clear winner to my ears. If I were you, I'd be spending my readies here, and using the remaining £££ from your budget to sort out the interconnects.

Are there any retailers that offer demos for these?

 

[mikeinbrum]

Where are you based?

Audio Venue have branches in Maidenhead and Ealing.

Music Matters in the Midlands

or Practical Hifi in the North West.

The list of dealers can be found here

http://www.signaturesystems.co.uk/dealers

 

[Anonymous]

Lavry, Benchmark, Apogee or Stello.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Blunny89:Gerrardasnails:I personally wouldn't expect an £800 DAC to improve things that much. I used very good cables on my system - I know they are probably too much for my system but I got great deals on them. The Crimson is a decent budget cable but you have a great amp and speakers and the DM with lossless files is like a £1k cd player in my eyes so a £30 interconnect is being a bit stingy I think!

Saying all this, I am intrigued at how good a really expensive DAC would sound. I would love to hear a Chord DAC64 in action for instance. Your best bet is to get a good interconnect first because even if you upgrade the DM, you will definitely want better than the Crimson on board then.

Be good to hear your thoughts.

I totally understand where your coming from! I would also love to hear the expensive DACs, if they made that much difference I would certainly consider. In regards to the stingy cable - what would you recommend? I would like to purchase through my local dealer (Analogue Seduction) as I will probably ask for a home demo. Pretty open minded on the price if you can recommend any.

Thanks again Gerrardasnails

A really good cable that can be had for a good price is the original Chord Anthem. Because the Anthem 2 is out now, the original is a lot cheaper. The Chameleon Silver Plus for around £100 is very good too. I changed a cheapy interconnect which connected my stereo amp and my AV receiver, for the CSP and I couldn't believe the difference.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Gerrardasnails:Blunny89:Gerrardasnails:I personally wouldn't expect an £800 DAC to improve things that much. I used very good cables on my system - I know they are probably too much for my system but I got great deals on them. The Crimson is a decent budget cable but you have a great amp and speakers and the DM with lossless files is like a £1k cd player in my eyes so a £30 interconnect is being a bit stingy I think!

Saying all this, I am intrigued at how good a really expensive DAC would sound. I would love to hear a Chord DAC64 in action for instance. Your best bet is to get a good interconnect first because even if you upgrade the DM, you will definitely want better than the Crimson on board then.

Be good to hear your thoughts.

I totally understand where your coming from! I would also love to hear the expensive DACs, if they made that much difference I would certainly consider. In regards to the stingy cable - what would you recommend? I would like to purchase through my local dealer (Analogue Seduction) as I will probably ask for a home demo. Pretty open minded on the price if you can recommend any.

Thanks again Gerrardasnails

A really good cable that can be had for a good price is the original Chord Anthem. Because the Anthem 2 is out now, the original is a lot cheaper. The Chameleon Silver Plus for around £100 is very good too. I changed a cheapy interconnect which connected my stereo amp and my AV receiver, for the CSP and I couldn't believe the difference.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHORD-ANTHEM-INTERCONNECT-CABLE-1-0M_W0QQitemZ290309887472QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item290309887472&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

[Anonymous]

Go for the Dac Magic. I've had one a while now, Brilliant, that's all I can say, if you get one from Richers you can take it back if you don't like it.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Mr Mucus:Go for the Dac Magic. I've had one a while now, Brilliant, that's all I can say, if you get one from Richers you can take it back if you don't like it.

He already has one MM.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails:A really good cable that can be had for a good price is the original Chord Anthem. Because the Anthem 2 is out now, the original is a lot cheaper. The Chameleon Silver Plus for around £100 is very good too. I changed a cheapy interconnect which connected my stereo amp and my AV receiver, for the CSP and I couldn't believe the difference.

I've contacted my local dealer to see if he has an old Chord Anthem. If he hasn't you have given me a couple of cables I will ask if I can try. Namely the CSP, Anthem, Anthem 2 and maybe the Chorus 2.

I will let you know how I get on!

 

[Anonymous]

mikeinbrum:
Where are you based?

Audio Venue have branches in Maidenhead and Ealing.

Music Matters in the Midlands

or Practical Hifi in the North West.

The list of dealers can be found here

http://www.signaturesystems.co.uk/dealers

I live in Nottingham. I may take a trip to get a demo within the next couple of weeks, thanks.

 

[mikeinbrum]

Looks like there's a Nottingham Dealer called Art Hifi Salon. You could give them a bell. I'd mention that the price reduction is listed on PS Audio's own website if they are slow in adjusting their own prices! Maybe take a screen print or something.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

mikeinbrum:Looks like there's a Nottingham Dealer called Art Hifi Salon. You could give them a bell. I'd mention that the price reduction is listed on PS Audio's own website if they are slow in adjusting their own prices! Maybe take a screen print or something.

Nice set up Mike!

 

[Ajani]

Blunny89:I think my DAC is now the weakest link in my system... If I had up to £800 to upgrade what would everyone recommend? Do you think this would be the best investment for my cash?

I also plan to upgrade the mains cable on the Roksan amp and the Chord Crimson interconnect soonish.

Cheers

I'd suggest trying the Benchmark DAC1 or PS Audio Digital Link iii. Either should be a worthwhile step up from the Cambridge. As excellent value as the Cambridge is for the money, it is not going to better or be as good as £800 DACs. There is always better available for more money (it's just a matter of whether the difference in price is worth it to you).

Now whether an £800 is overkill for your setup is another issue altogether. I'm not sure you need to spend that much, but if you do you'll at least have a product you won't need to upgrade when you eventually replace the amp/speakers.

Finally someone mentioned reviews in HFC and Stereophile. I haven't read the group test in HFC, so I won't comment on that one, but all the reviews I've read for the Cambridge indicate that it is excellent for the money, but that better is still available. Stereophile rated the DACmagic as Class C (Class A is the best), while the Benchmark is rated Class A (so they clearly see a significant difference between the DM and more expensive DACs).

All that said, I suggest getting a Benchmark/PS Audio from somewhere with a good return policy... so you can see whether the improvement is worth it to you....

 

[mikeinbrum]

I'd forgotten about the Benchmark DAC. I've not heard one, but their product, as well as the PS Audio one are always promoted as being the best you can get at their particular price points. The Stello is another I researched when choosing my system. I couldn't get to hear it first so it came off the shortlist. Well reviewed though. With regards whether it's overkill for your setup, I wouldn't worry overly as the B'mark / PS Audio will get the best out of your current system and possibly even survive your next bout of upgraditis should you ever feel the need to upgrade a few years down the line!

 

[stephennic]

Hi,

The chord crimson is a good basic starter cable - but you can do better - Chord cobra 3 is a step up (more open). The kimber pbj and timbre are good too (more 3D soundstaging) or even the chord chamelon or Nordost blue heaven (brighter - while to burn in though).

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Ajani:
Blunny89:I think my DAC is now the weakest link in my system... If I had up to £800 to upgrade what would everyone recommend? Do you think this would be the best investment for my cash?

I also plan to upgrade the mains cable on the Roksan amp and the Chord Crimson interconnect soonish.

Cheers

I'd suggest trying the Benchmark DAC1 or PS Audio Digital Link iii. Either should be a worthwhile step up from the Cambridge. As excellent value as the Cambridge is for the money, it is not going to better or be as good as £800 DACs. There is always better available for more money (it's just a matter of whether the difference in price is worth it to you).

Now whether an £800 is overkill for your setup is another issue altogether. I'm not sure you need to spend that much, but if you do you'll at least have a product you won't need to upgrade when you eventually replace the amp/speakers.

Finally someone mentioned reviews in HFC and Stereophile. I haven't read the group test in HFC, so I won't comment on that one, but all the reviews I've read for the Cambridge indicate that it is excellent for the money, but that better is still available. Stereophile rated the DACmagic as Class C (Class A is the best), while the Benchmark is rated Class A (so they clearly see a significant difference between the DM and more expensive DACs).

All that said, I suggest getting a Benchmark/PS Audio from somewhere with a good return policy... so you can see whether the improvement is worth it to you....

It seems like its going to be pretty hard to get a demo of either of the DACs. Apparently the PS Audio DAC can only be demo'd in Kent and I am clueless to where the Benchmark can be demo'd. Thank you for your input though, I am considering upgrading my DACMagic power supply and maybe doing the hardware upgrade now.

 

[Anonymous]

stephennic:
Hi,

The chord crimson is a good basic starter cable - but you can do better - Chord cobra 3 is a step up (more open). The kimber pbj and timbre are good too (more 3D soundstaging) or even the chord chamelon or Nordost blue heaven (brighter - while to burn in though).

Cheers,

Steve

Will take that into consideration, cheers mate.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails:mikeinbrum:Looks like there's a Nottingham Dealer called Art Hifi Salon. You could give them a bell. I'd mention that the price reduction is listed on PS Audio's own website if they are slow in adjusting their own prices! Maybe take a screen print or something.

Nice set up Mike!

Gerrardasnails - do you think the power supply upgrade or hardware upgrade for the DACMagic will be a better option then an upgrade? Will you be investing in the new PSU?

Cheers