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DACMagic vs. Audio-GD DAC19 DSP1 - Page 9

post #121 of 207
2/26/10 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bína View Post
Macedoniahero: It is nice that many professional reviews really like Dacmagic for its price, but how you know, that they wouldn't prefer DAC19? I think review which have no connection to dacmagic, mean nothing when you are comparing these dacs.

Same is with Benchmark, many professional reviews like it. But I prefer Casea Cepheus ( http://casea.eu/produkty.php?p=Casea Cepheus ) to it and it is not close race.

By your logic, Benchmark is better than Casea, just because Casea dont send their dacs for reviews?
Please read my complete posts again. For the 10th or so time, always let your ears guide your wallet and use the professional reviews of where to listen ONLY.
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post #122 of 207
2/26/10 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbloggs View Post
For me, the only thing that the DACMagic won in over the ZeroDAC was that it looked nicer...
I've asked before the context..if you don't mind: with what headphones and amp?

If you prefer the ZeroDAC, then great, you just saved $300-$400.

With my setup (see my signature for details) and ears the difference is quite large.
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post #123 of 207
2/26/10 at 3:31pm
Quote:
I've asked before the context..if you don't mind: with what headphones and amp?
Quote:
The rest of my setup consists of a SqueezeBox Classic 3, Marantz PM7001 and Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's (Kef iQ1s when the comparison between the ZeroDAC and DACMagic was done)...
I don't use headphones...
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post #124 of 207
2/26/10 at 3:35pm
I've been reading this whole thread and I have to step up. I love my DacMagic, I don't think I'll ever let it go, its that good. Now its true I haven't heard any high end DACs but for its price its truly amazing. How many DAC offer digital output? You might say a digital output on a DAC is absurd as a DAC should accept digital signals not "pass them through". Well I have more than 5 devices that require digital-to-analog conversion and since not many DAC have more than 3 inputs I can simply connect another DAC to DacMagic's digital output. For me its crucial that it offers balanced outputs as most of my devices require balanced input in order to achieve its maximum without any noise.

I'm sure the DAC19 is a fantastic choice for those who want unbalanced audio but if you system consists of balanced devices then I wholeheartedly do recommend going balanced. And DM is a great choice that has fantastic soundstage and reveals a lot of details.

My 10 EURO cents
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post #125 of 207
2/26/10 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by .Sup View Post
Now its true I haven't heard any high end DACs
Exactly. Have a listen to some high-end DACs and your love for the Dacmagic would fade very quickly.

Quote:
I'm sure the DAC19 is a fantastic choice for those who want unbalanced audio but if you system consists of balanced devices then I wholeheartedly do recommend going balanced. And DM is a great choice that has fantastic soundstage and reveals a lot of details.
I'd choose a single ended ladder DAC over a balanced Delta-Sigma any day of the week.
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post #126 of 207
2/26/10 at 3:49pm
You do realize that this is a headphone forum?
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post #127 of 207
2/26/10 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IPodPJ View Post
Exactly. Have a listen to some high-end DACs and your love for the Dacmagic would fade very quickly.



I'd choose a single ended ladder DAC over a balanced Delta-Sigma any day of the week.
So I take it you have compared DacMagic to some high end DAC's? (costing the same?)
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post #128 of 207
2/26/10 at 4:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by .Sup View Post
So I take it you have compared DacMagic to some high end DAC's? (costing the same?)
Yes, I have heard the Dacmagic. I found it to be extremely mediocre at best.

Costing the same? Of course not, a good high-end DAC costs more, but it doesn't have to cost thousands more. That's why Audio-gd is a rarity because their performance far exceeds what everything else sells for at those respective prices. But the DAC19 isn't much more than the Dacmagic and the technology inside the unit is far superior to what's in the Cambridge.
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post #129 of 207
2/26/10 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IPodPJ View Post
Yes, I have heard the Dacmagic. I found it to be extremely mediocre at best.

Costing the same? Of course not, a good high-end DAC costs more, but it doesn't have to cost thousands more. That's why Audio-gd is a rarity because their performance far exceeds what everything else sells for at those respective prices. But the DAC19 isn't much more than the Dacmagic and the technology inside the unit is far superior to what's in the Cambridge.
While DAC 19 may be superior in sound performance to DM it still offers less in terms of functionality.
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post #130 of 207
2/26/10 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IPodPJ View Post
Yes, I have heard the Dacmagic. I found it to be extremely mediocre at best.

Costing the same? Of course not, a good high-end DAC costs more, but it doesn't have to cost thousands more. That's why Audio-gd is a rarity because their performance far exceeds what everything else sells for at those respective prices. But the DAC19 isn't much more than the Dacmagic and the technology inside the unit is far superior to what's in the Cambridge.
Fair enough. But as mentioned with my ears/system, I slightly gave the edge to the DacMagic. So the moral to the story, use these threads and professional reviews as inputs, but let your ears make the final call.
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post #131 of 207
2/26/10 at 5:16pm
I've heard DAC's costing more than the Dacmagic and compared them using the same headphones as well. I am very happy with my Dacmagic, and while the Audio-GD might well be fantastic, I can tell you that the Dacmagic is fantastic for its price as well. I wasnt jumping out of my chair and pulling my hair when I heard the Benchmark, or the Stello, or the Keces (which was lower price ofcourse).

I was content after hearing those that I had made the right choice, as simple as that. I am not even talking about the features and build quality here, just about sound. As far as SQ is concerned, you cannot go wrong with the Dacmagic for its price, thats my take.
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post #132 of 207
2/26/10 at 5:31pm
I have not heard alot of DAC's to be exact. I have the Headstage DAC cable and for $59.00 it is pretty impressive in all respects. I just sold the DACMAGIC and I had no complaints about the DAC at all and it sure had alot of options for input and output. I just ordered and am receiving next week the Audio GD ROC and have considered the new DAC that Audio GD is coming out next month with for my DAC of choice. Reading alot on this site I am very seriously considering the PS Audio Digital Link III with stage 3 cullen mods. I am not sure of which of those two would be the best but I honestly think any differences would be rather small. I guess what I am trying to say is "that is why God made chocolate, strawberry, grape, vanilla etc." We all hear different and what would it be like if there was only one DAC we could buy. I am just looking for something that is decent and where I can relax and start listening to the music. I will be done with upgradeitis for a while, long while I hope. I for one don't thik you can gowrong with the DACMAGIC as when I had it it performed very well for the price. Just my 2 cents.
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post #133 of 207
2/26/10 at 6:07pm
Eagle Eye,
If it helps any, I used to have the PS Audio DL3 with full mods done by Reference Audio Mods. It was a great unit, but didn't come close to the quality of the Reference 1 (or 7) so I sold it. Spending that kind of money on the DL3 can buy you the Reference 7 which smokes it. Just look inside the chassis to give you an idea.
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post #134 of 207
2/26/10 at 6:07pm

Interesting article...

Hello everyone:

Just an interesting article on the DacMagic from the Absolute Sound I got an email on just today and thought it fit our discussion:

http://www.avguide.com/buyers-guide/...-music-servers

Now again, this is just another data point and I do stress ultimately let your ears guide your wallet. I think I know where IPodPJ stands.
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post #135 of 207
2/26/10 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post
Hello everyone:

Just an interesting article on the DacMagic from the Absolute Sound I got an email on just today and thought it fit our discussion:

The Absolute Sound/Hi-Fi+ Guide to Disc Players, DACs, & Music Servers | AVguide

Now again, this is just another data point and I do stress ultimately let your ears guide your wallet. I think I know where IPodPJ stands.
I didn't say it was bad, just that it's mediocre. For $429 it is a good entry into balanced DACs. But if you want a good budget balanced DAC, the PS Audio DL3 for $695 is a very good choice. But by the time you spend adding the mods to it, you could be into top tier Audio-gd territory. But you could probably improve the Dacmagic quite a bit by adding a good power supply to it.
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