DAC Converters

[A Lark Ascending]

I keep reading about the ability of DAC Converters to give an appreciable sound improvement to CD (and especially mp3 based sources). Lots of people here have them as a basic part of their system.

I'm no audiophile and won't spend a fortune on improving sound. But if its reasonably in cost terms I'm up for an improvement.

Have my eye on a Cambridge DACMagic machine. Here are my questions:

1. Am I likely to hear the difference?

2. Connections - I assume I go from CD player to DAC to amp?

3. CD player (Cyrus) has the ability to connect to the DAC via an optical cable. Amp (Arcam) does not have an optical. How would it connect from here:

4. What on earth are those 'balanced output' sockets?

Any advice appreciated. My knowledge of hi-fi technicalities is zilch.

Thanks,

Bev

Edited May 28, 2011 by A Lark Ascending

[jazzbo]

1. This is pretty well-regarded. I'd wager yes.

2. Yes.

3. Yes, you'd use an optical connection (I'd recommend using glass rather than plastic optical cable) to go from the cd player (transport) into the DAC Magic, and then from the DAC Magic (via the RCA outputs on the farthest left) into the amp.

4. Balanced outputs. . well, some components use balanced connections instead of RCA. Professional components often, high end components sometimes, especially if cabling needs to be long. Just there in case that's how you connect.

[JSngry]

How much does a gadget like that run for these days?

[A Lark Ascending]

Thanks, Lon. Edges me towards it.

How much does a gadget like that run for these days?

£200 quid here ($300 or so?).

[JSngry]

Not a whole big lot of money...maybe sometimes at some point for me, then. Sounds like a worthwhile purchase.

[jazzbo]

Bev, what model Cyrus do you have? It might have a better internal DAC than the Cambridge Audio. . . that's worth considering and perhaps doing a bit of reading research about.

[A Lark Ascending]

Bev, what model Cyrus do you have? It might have a better internal DAC than the Cambridge Audio. . . that's worth considering and perhaps doing a bit of reading research about.

It's a CD 6 . Just checked the booklet and it says the digital output is designed to connect to an external D/A. Though you've got me doubting now.

Cyrus do one of their own - the DAC X - but that is around a grand. Well beyond what I'd pay.

[jazzbo]

Cool. I'll look a bit at that model. Sure, that's what the digital output is for, otherwise they wouldn't have added the output.

[jazzbo]

Bev,

In all honesty, I think that the DAC inside your Model 6 is of very high quality, and care is taken with signal routing, power delivery and clocking, and . . . well I don't think the Cambridge Audio is really going to be bring an improvement. You may be better served, if you're really looking for an improvement, by taking the upgrade path it seems Cyrus is offering and upgrading your 6 to an 8 if that's possible.

[A Lark Ascending]

Thanks, Lon. I'll take that advice. You've saved me £200!

I need to get it checked out as the CD drawer has developed a mind of its own, sticking halfway, opening and then immediately shutting etc.