What DAC?

[admin_exported]

After a long thread and a lot of help (Thanks!) earlier i ordered my nas drive next thing a dac its to go with the sonos set up onkyo 905 amp and b&w 805s speakers. I saw the ca dacmagic is this good enough for my set up? how much should i look to spend? and what on? Thanks 

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

The difficulty here is whilst your speakers are easily capable of making the most of more high-end hi-fi sources your 905 isn't so much. The next worthy step up in DACland is £500-800 so it's a big leap from the DM. Unless you are planning to get a stereo amp to match the 805s I would probably just go at the level of the DM.

 

[Dave_]

I'd save your money, and just use the big onk's internal dac! Or use the cash towards a stereo amp to use in conjunction with your onkyo

 

[John Duncan]

I'd use the Sonos' analogue outs, probably, or at least compare it with the Onkyo's digital in - is probably on a par with the Onk and lossless files should give you big benefits anyway. But to coax the last ounce of performance, yes, DACMagic would be my limit I think.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

flairdj:After a long thread and a lot of help (Thanks!) earlier i ordered my nas drive next thing a dac its to go with the sonos set up onkyo 905 amp and b&w 805s speakers. I saw the ca dacmagic is this good enough for my set up? how much should i look to spend? and what on? Thanks

I have to agree with the others, you are talking about fantastic speakers, the DacMagic would be brilliant with the Sonos (if I'm right in thinking that it's a lossless files streamer??) but the side would be let down by the receiver - albeit an excellent one.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your replies! Well the aim is to eventually get a stereo amp to run the fronts but will probably try to go the second hand route on that so not sure how much id need to spend! I want to try and get as close to the sound of the cyrus which my friend demoed it and said he couldnt hear a difference between lossless and the cyrus. is it worth spending the 200 on the dacmagic? anything better at that price?ÿ

 

[Gerrardasnails]

flairdj:Thanks for your replies! Well the aim is to eventually get a stereo amp to run the fronts but will probably try to go the second hand route on that so not sure how much id need to spend! I want to try and get as close to the sound of the cyrus which my friend demoed it and said he couldnt hear a difference between lossless and the cyrus. is it worth spending the 200 on the dacmagic? anything better at that price?

In a word, no.

 

[Anonymous]

What about an integrated stereo amp with digital inputs, like the Supernait?

 

[Anonymous]

Would i still need a dac to improve the sound? How much are they?

 

[Anonymous]

Just read a couple of reviews not really sure at that price really if its best for me. Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Comparing my Onkyo 875 digital input and DACMagic, i cant tell any real difference, regardless of source. Of course that could be due to limitations elsewhere. Best to borrow the DACMagic from Richer Sounds, see what you think and if your not impressed return within 28 days for a 90% refund.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Pauldosteo:Comparing my Onkyo 875 digital input and DACMagic, i cant tell any real difference, regardless of source. Of course that could be due to limitations elsewhere. Best to borrow the DACMagic from Richer Sounds, see what you think and if your not impressed return within 28 days for a 90% refund.

I do think that connecting the DacMagic to an AV receiver instead of a stereo amp is not really worth it and you are not going to hear the benefits.

 

[Anonymous]

I think i need to look in to investing in a stereo amp any recommendations want to go for something second hand with the 805s saw the arcam a85/p85 quite cheap not sure if thats good enough to go with the b&w's? Thanks

 

[Gerrardasnails]

flairdj:I think i need to look in to investing in a stereo amp any recommendations want to go for something second hand with the 805s saw the arcam a85/p85 quite cheap not sure if thats good enough to go with the b&w's? Thanks

How much do you want to spend?

 

[Anonymous]

Well second hand i was looking at £800 or less but depends if its going to be worthwhile? would the arcams be any good with the 805s? if not might aswell save up.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

flairdj:Well second hand i was looking at £800 or less but depends if its going to be worthwhile? would the arcams be any good with the 805s? if not might aswell save up.

I've heard people on here saying that Arcam and B&W is a match made in hell!

What about this.... at Sevenoaks.

Kingston Primare I21 Amplifier An Amplifier finished in Black. Ex Display £749.00
£499.00

Or grab my amp at the stupid price of £399 at Richer Sounds, before they sell out. You can get it and test it at home for a couple of weeks and then send it back if you are not happy for a refund.

 

[Anonymous]

What about getting a Quad 909 power amp? Can your receiver act as a pre? If so this beasty is superb with it's current dumping, class A architecture. A bargain can be had if you look around and they're lovely and smooth with excellent detail levels that would destroy the likes of a Primare 21. Just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

Apparently it can be used as a pre but you have to be careful what you partner it with because of the level it puts in to the power amp so i would have to look in to that! How good is the primare a30.1 as i saw one for £500 second hand.

 

[John Duncan]

flairdj:Apparently it can be used as a pre but you have to be careful what you partner it with because of the level it puts in to the power amp so i would have to look in to that! How good is the primare a30.1 as i saw one for £500 second hand.

FanTAStic...

 

[Anonymous]

Is it worth the £500? sorry for all the questions appreciate everyones help!

 

[Anonymous]

flairdj:Is it worth the £500? sorry for all the questions appreciate everyones help!
IMO, yes.

 

[John Duncan]

flairdj:Is it worth the £500? sorry for all the questions appreciate everyones help!
Absolutely

 

[Dave_]

How is a quad power amp gonna improve stereo sound when your still using the receiver as a pre-amp?

 

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't it? It's just a preamp. I use a Quad 405 on my Rotel integrated and the improvement is stark to say the least. Have I missed something?

 

[Dave_]

Think maybe i have missed something? Nor am i doubting the quads abilitys,But i thought the idea of adding stereo amps to recievers to improve musicality was to connect the music source directly to the stereo amp thus removing the receiver from the equation