[dminches]

I have a balanced pre-amp and balanced mono blocks.  My long IC runs are from the pre to the amps.  They are both 25-30 feet.  I wanted to have long ICs instead of long speakers cables.

 

[2359glenn]

Quote:

I have a balanced pre-amp and balanced mono blocks.  My long IC runs are from the pre to the amps.  They are both 25-30 feet.  I wanted to have long ICs instead of long speakers cables.

So your amp has balanced input and SE output ? Or is it balanced output with the speaker hooked across two outputs? 

 

[wolfetan44]

The ultimate question, DACMagic Plus or V-DAC II?

 

[dminches]

Quote:

So your amp has balanced input and SE output ? Or is it balanced output with the speaker hooked across two outputs? 

 
Each amp has both single-ended and balanced inputs.  And each has 1 set of speaker terminals.

 

[hodgjy]

DACMagic Plus = $599
V-DAC II + V-PSU II = $508.  
 
I've never heard the DACMagic Plus, but the V-Combo is the best I've ever heard.  Look up a few reviews on google about the V-DAC II.  They are overwhelmingly positive.  Although, I'm sure the DACMagic is also a wonderful DAC.
 
Quote:

The ultimate question, DACMagic Plus or V-DAC II?

 

[warchild]

Quote:

SE it is then.. I'll research the V-DAC II and the Cambridge Audio DACmagic. I may get the DAC magic so then if I ever want to go balanced I already have the DAC for it..

 
I've had both. I preferred the Keces (no longer made) but have settled on the gamma 2 DIY dac.

 

[rosgr63]

My limited experience from my two balanced headphone rigs is:
 
Some headphones benefit more from a balanced set up.
 
SS amps can provide true balanced configuration better than tube amps.
Not many tube amps have all the features like SE or Balanced input giving a Balanced output.
 
Depending on the design a good headphone tube amp doesn't need to be balanced.

 

[longbowbbs]

I really like this balanced DAC. Inexpensive and a powerhouse IMO.
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/dacmagic-plus-digital-to-analogue-converter
I own one myself.

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-DacMagic-Digital-Analogue/dp/B006GJU33I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1364098623&sr=8-3&keywords=dacmagic

+1 for the DMPlus. I enjoyed it for some time before I sprung for the W4S DAC-2.

 

[john57]

Quote:

The ultimate question, DACMagic Plus or V-DAC II?

Not quite a fair [size=11pt]comparison[/size]. The DACmagic Plus is balanced with volume control and a headphone jack. I would compare the V-DAC II to the DacMagic 100 and since my amp is warm sounding the DacMagic 100 may be a better choice and the V-DAC II may give SS amps more of a warmer sound.

 

[wolfetan44]

Quote:

Quote:

The ultimate question, DACMagic Plus or V-DAC II?

Not quite a fair [size=11pt]comparison[/size]. The DACmagic Plus is balanced with volume control and a headphone jack. I would compare the V-DAC II to the DacMagic 100 and since my amp is warm sounding the DacMagic 100 may be a better choice and the V-DAC II may give SS amps more of a warmer sound.

What about with Glenns OTL amp? It will ONLY be used as a DAC.

 

[hodgjy]

I consider the V-DAC to smooth, but neutral.  I wouldn't call it warm.  You won't have some distasteful synergy of a warm DAC feeding a tube amp.  I use it to feed my tube amp to very smooth and linear results.  I'm sure the DACMagic is also very linear as well.

 

[wolfetan44]

Quote:

I consider the V-DAC to smooth, but neutral.  I wouldn't call it warm.  You won't have some distasteful synergy of a warm DAC feeding a tube amp.  I use it to feed my tube amp to very smooth and linear results.  I'm sure the DACMagic is also very linear as well.

Not sure which to get

 Anyways, I've derailed the thread, I just will make sure not to get a warm DAC. Thanks for the help!

 

[rosgr63]

Quote:

I have a balanced pre-amp and balanced mono blocks.  My long IC runs are from the pre to the amps.  They are both 25-30 feet.  I wanted to have long ICs instead of long speakers cables.

 
David aren't IC cables more expensive per meter than speaker cables?
 
I thought you would loose more signal quality from long IC's than long speaker cables.

 

[dminches]

Stavros, this is an open debate.  The consensus seems to be that long ICs are better than long speakers runs.  But I have heard both arguments.

 

[hodgjy]

It's my understanding that the issue with speaker cable runs is the thickness of the cable.  The issue with IC runs is both length and shielding, which impacts thickness. 
 
Quote:

 
David aren't IC cables more expensive per meter than speaker cables?
 
I thought you would loose more signal quality from long IC's than long speaker cables.