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Any thoughts on the Arcam rDAC?
I like it's feature set.
I've always liked the sound of any Arcam equipment I've heard.
I just recently traded mine in for an Audiophilleo 2 USB to SPDIF converter after upgrading to the Rega DAC ~
good little unit depending on how much you pay for it.
I preferred it to the DacMagic, the Cambridge has a slight 'digital' presentation to it that does make itself apparent
~ all depends on what is important to you but for me, it's always been the pursuit of finding a DAC that sounds musical and
analogue as possible to my ears over sheer detail retrieval.
The Arcam's personality is laid back and quite rich sounding especially in the bass region ~ I found myself swapping in
and out of DAC's 5 or 6 times in an afternoon just to confirm, there is no doubt that for any given track, it adds something
extra for bass impact and slam. A good thing in some books, an absolute no-no for others. The other plus point is that it's a true
'USB-DAC' ~ it sounds best from a direct USB to USB connection, I briefly hooked it up to the Audiophilleo2
via SPDIF input and the sound did not become more open, detailed or natural.
It's a pleasant overall and I think for anyone who can score it for under $550AUD (sorry that's what they cost out here new)
then it's a contender in the price bracket along with the HRT Streamer II, Cambridge Dacmagic, and Peachtree DAC*IT ~
have not heard the new Calyx Coffee which has also been getting good reviews, another possibility there for you.
Quite small and well built ~ one point to consider, Arcam do not ship it with a Type A to B USB cable which I think is
annoying.