with & without DAC

I current using a cambridge audio 640C v2 CD player and thinking of getting cambridge DACMagic.

My question is how big is the difference with and without DAC.


For example:
Is it like changing speaker cable= very hard to notice
Adding equaliser= very noticeable

Aki1980 wrote:I current using a cambridge audio 640C v2 CD player and thinking of getting cambridge DACMagic.

My question is how big is the difference with and without DAC.


For example:
Is it like changing speaker cable= very hard to notice
Adding equaliser= very noticeable

I think both are using Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/ 192kHz DAC so might be no noticeable change. For the price of the DACMagic, a full mod might yield better results.

The only way to find out is to try it out at a dealer's or a friend's.
Or if a fellow-forum member is kind enough to loan you one to try out.......

Adding an Outboard DAC has the potential to improve the sound. Day & night difference if the DAC is up to it.

Not sure about the combo u speak of though

The new version of the DACMagic with USB input will enable u to use it with hard disk drives, PCs and Macs i.e. it'll open the door to computer audio.
if that extra feature is what u want, then go for it.
as for sound quality, chances are they will hv a "family" sound (but i hv not heard this combo).
it may be better for u to buy a DAC from another company so that u will get a different kind of signature. the benchmark has gotten good reviews.
cec also has a pretty good usb dac.

I have a second system comprising of a Marantz CD63SE and Audio Alchemy DDE3.0 DAC. It's a night and day difference in my case.

The Marantz CD63SE is a fine CD player but after using it with the Audio Alchemy, I feel the Marants is downright lacking in all sonic departments without it. Can't bear to listen even for 5 minutes without the DAC.

tycham wrote:

Aki1980 wrote:I current using a cambridge audio 640C v2 CD player and thinking of getting cambridge DACMagic.

My question is how big is the difference with and without DAC.


For example:
Is it like changing speaker cable= very hard to notice
Adding equaliser= very noticeable

I think both are using Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/ 192kHz DAC so might be no noticeable change. For the price of the DACMagic, a full mod might yield better results.

@Tycham,
You can't draw a conclusion based on what kind of chips are being used alone. Unless you have A/B tested them before and are very familiar with the sonic differences?
There are many other various external factors that will affect the sound (and it can be for better or for worse).


Since the DacMagic is quite readily available and the CA Azur 640c is not a bulky device, it is strongly recommended that the owner can bring his Azur player to a shop and test it out with the DACMagic.

@Aki1980, if u can hear a big margin of improvement, then buying the DACMagic is doing you justice. If u cannot hear the difference, or if in your opinion, the difference in sound is NOT worth the purchase price of a DACMagic, then no need to force yourself to buy it.

Of course, LISTEN for yourself lah, be careful & don't let the salesman there "psycho" you into "hearing ghosts or imaginary stuff" just to brainwash u into thinking the DACMagic is giving divine improvement to the sound.
And do bring your own CDs to try out as well. Best would be to test with music that you are familiar with.

Happy exploring.

mugenfoo wrote:

tycham wrote:
I think both are using Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/ 192kHz DAC so might be no noticeable change. For the price of the DACMagic, a full mod might yield better results.

@Tycham,
You can't draw a conclusion based on what kind of chips are being used alone. Unless you have A/B tested them before and are very familiar with the sonic differences?
There are many other various external factors that will affect the sound (and it can be for better or for worse).

My statements showed that I had not drawn on a conclusion as I have not heard the combination before.

tycham wrote:

mugenfoo wrote:

tycham wrote:
I think both are using Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/ 192kHz DAC so might be no noticeable change. For the price of the DACMagic, a full mod might yield better results.

@Tycham,
You can't draw a conclusion based on what kind of chips are being used alone. Unless you have A/B tested them before and are very familiar with the sonic differences?
There are many other various external factors that will affect the sound (and it can be for better or for worse).

My statements showed that I had not drawn on a conclusion as I have not heard the combination before.

Your honesty is greatly appreciated and for sure most forummers would respect you more for that.

better off try many brands of DAC rather than one,
you'll be surprised to hear the difference..

Me has been thinking of adding MF V-DAC to my Marantz 63KI for the longest time. Sure it is cheap, I bet you guys will advice me to buy it and try it, but again, I am not rich
Anyone has tried it? Can share the findings or sonic difference heard here? Thanks.

I have always believe in using transport and DAC separately but it still needs to be put into perspective. What I mean is, no point in using a RM 5000 CD player/transport with a RM 1000 DAC. Before using the Rega CDP, I was using various Marantz and Sony CDP with sub RM 1300 price tag. Coupling it with a RM2000 MF X-DAC did wonders to the players. However, hooking up my Rega Apollo to the MF X-DAC did not really make any improvement to the Rega. Hence, now I hook up my Rega Apollo directly to the amp using a decent interconnect.