Worthy upgrade from DacMagic...

[admin_exported]

Hi All

Can anyone recommend an upgrade from my DacMagic, so far I'm looking at the MF X-DACv8 and Cyrus DAC X.

Any suggestions will be helpful.

Thanks 

 

[VoodooDoctor]

Benchmark DAC-1 USB?

 

[Anonymous]

Russ Andrews DAC- 1 USB, can also use it with CD transport, DVD player and Sky box as well.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for that, Think I'll give the russ andrews a go.

 

[Anonymous]

trevor79:Russ Andrews DAC- 1 USB, can also use it with CD transport, DVD player and Sky box as well.

Trevor, is that not the case with many DACS? I use my Zero DAC, a real cheapie, with my DVD player, sky box and Airport Express.

 

[Anonymous]

trevor79:Russ Andrews DAC- 1 USB, can also use it with CD transport, DVD player and Sky box as well.

Russ Andrews have stopped selling the DAC1 as far as I know because Stello have their own UK distribution now in Select Audio. The Stello Signature is supposed to be a darn sight better than the original i.e. RA DAC1. The Signature is £675 and the optional headphone unit £475. I would also look at the Benchmark as a previous post said.

 

[PJPro]

trevor79:Russ Andrews DAC- 1 USB, can also use it with CD transport, DVD player and Sky box as well.
This is actually a rebadged Stello DAC. And not the Signature version, which is supposed to be the better of the two DACs on offer by Stello in it's DA range.

 

[PJPro]

Octopo:
trevor79:Russ Andrews DAC- 1 USB, can also use it with CD transport, DVD player and Sky box as well.

Russ Andrews have stopped selling the DAC1 as far as I know because Stello have their own UK distribution now in Select Audio. The Stello Signature is supposed to be a darn sight better than the original i.e. RA DAC1. The Signature is £675 and the optional headphone unit £475. I would also look at the Benchmark as a previous post said.

You bet me to it!

 

[John Duncan]

gary_london:
Hi All

Can anyone recommend an upgrade from my DacMagic, so far I'm looking at the MF X-DACv8 and Cyrus DAC X.

Any suggestions will be helpful.

Thanksÿ

Why?

Remind us again what your system is? Are you using lossless? What are your amp and speakers?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using Foobar, playing lossless files through my 8vs2 and Quad 12l2's.

I want something that sounds as good as my CD 8 se, but I think the £1200 for the DAC X is a bit steep.ÿ

 

[John Duncan]

gary_london:I'm using Foobar, playing lossless files through my 8vs2 and Quad 12l2's.I want something that sounds as good as my CD 8 se, but I think the £1200 for the DAC X is a bit steep.

I agree, though I'm surprised that your CD8SE sounds that[/i] much better than the lossless/DACMagic combination, from my own experience with it vs a Primare and others' reports on here of the 8 (I haven't heard it).

I suppose the next steps up would be Stello, Benchmark and the aforementioned MF...

 

[Anonymous]

You're right, (to my ears) there's not alot in it between the CD8se and the DacMagic when playing lossless, although that could be a weakness in my system (or my hearing).

I was thinking about trying out the DAC in the 840c, but have heard the DacMagic is only a slightly lower spec than the 840c.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

If/when you do upgrade I'll be interested to hear what you think of the upgrade. ÿI've got Quad 22L2s (with arcam amp) and was wondering what DAC might be a good match and had been thinking of the DacMagic or the Stello Sig. I was wondering whether the Stello was worth the price difference. Has anyone else compared the DacMagic and the Stello (apologies if this has been dealt with elsewhere on the forums)

 

[Anonymous]

I tried the original Stello before I bought the Benchmark. The Benchmark was in a different league. I have since heard from a couple of well respected members than the Signature is a huge leap forwards. Until I hear it I am quite satisfied with the Benchmark.

Lest not forget the Benchmark / many DACs in this price range that don't go under the name of Chord or Cyrus are professional DACs. The are unforgiving, neutral and very detailed. They'll make the worst of recordings unlistenable but the best unforgettable.