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Originally Posted by vlach /img/forum/go_quote.gif
FauDrei, another question before i pull the trigger on a DAC-3VE or DAC-3SE; your earlier post compared the DacMagic against the top of the line DAC from Audio-GD, the Ref One, and you described some of the improvements over the DacMagic as being marginal. This has me wondering if getting the DAC-3VE/SE, which is a few steps down from the Ref One is still worth it over the DacMagic? I would say my system is leaning towards hi end, however not balanced. I would be using the DAC primarily to feed an integrated amp & full range speakers. Thanks.
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Had to admit - you've made me rethink my words and reevaluate everything from your perspective. I'd hate to persuade you in something based just on my current enthusiasm and not so recent audio memory.
Therefore I pulled out XLR and CAST interconnects and connected just "plain" RCA cables from Ref-1. This way Ref-1 outputs just 2 of it's 4 channels like 3SE and 3DV do. As for headamp, I've used A-GD's Roc and GS Solo (2008 Green pre-SRG). Not to overcomplicate, I listened just to K-701 (SE mode).
Listened for a while through Roc, then swapped DACs. Listened to DacMagic. Both DACs sound good. It is just that Roc clearly pictured DacMagic's music limits - sounds great, but you are listening to the machine. Through Roc, Ref-1 just wasn't there: no harshness, "boxines", "digititis"...
OK, Roc is also A-GD's baby - it should shine with their DACs... so let's try Solo...
Listened DacMagic for a while, swapped to Ref-1... Before getting Roc I thought Solo was "monitor like". Turned out that it is on quite warmer side of "monitor" compared to Roc. Anyhow, Solo mellowed a bit both DACs but the differences were still there. Immediately audible and again in favour of Ref-1 (which, again, performed it's refined "disappearing act").
Sooo... after this I am pretty sure I've put it right: I still firmly believe 3DV or 3SE will be an upgrade to your DacMagic (3SE, 3DV, 9mk2, Ref-2 and Ref-1 use same chassis, PS-es, regulators... even input stages and receivers are the same between some of them).
Is this SQ upgrade worth $700 or $900? IMO - yes.
Which one to get? If you have good low jitter SPDIF output to feed your DAC (good CD player, Musiland Monitor USx xx, M2Tech hiFace, VALAB Teralink-X...) go for 3SE. Otherwise squeeze additional $200 and get 3DV - you will be able to play with PLL, 8x, 4x, 2x or NOS oversampling, stopband attenuations, dithering... via internal dip switches and in the same time be well protected from supermarket grade jittery CD transports and/or "of the shelf" 16/48 USB to SPDIF converters.
Of course, all this is just IMO... and the decision is only yours.