Michael Jones Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 The June issue of AudioEnz is online now at http://audioenz.co.nz/ Included in this issue: Cambridge Audio DacMagic Arcam A18 amplifier Antipodes Reference interconnect Rotel RSX-1550 AV receiver An archive review of the Plinius 2.4 mk2 preamp from 1990 June music reviews You can also downoad the complete issue as an Acrobat pdf (23 pages, 706kb) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixon76 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Some comments/questions on the DacMagic article. Was the bit where actual music was tested performed via the iMac/USB or via the Rega/SPDIF? Also I thought this comment was a little strange. Unfortunately, the only real observation I can make here is that it was mildly annoying having to switch between the USB and SPDIF inputs manually My own dac doesn't have automatic input switching, nor did I have any expections that it would. Am I missing something? Do external dacs normally have this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Maybe Matt might need to check for Alzheimer's. Four paragraphs up there's mention of the various input buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristar71 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 nixon76;94638 wrote: Some comments/questions on the DacMagic article. Was the bit where actual music was tested performed via the iMac/USB or via the Rega/SPDIF? Also I thought this comment was a little strange. My own dac doesn't have automatic input switching, nor did I have any expections that it would. Am I missing something? Do external dacs normally have this? THere is an input selector by which it is possible to switch between 3 inputs the device has, 1USB and 2digi inputs - so perhaps he is referring to actually getting up from the listening position and pressing a button to switch between 'sources'.... No remote how old school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 At least there's no network connection to setup... LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Masters Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Tristar;94641 wrote: THere is an input selector by which it is possible to switch between 3 inputs the device has, 1USB and 2digi inputs - so perhaps he is referring to actually getting up from the listening position and pressing a button to switch between 'sources'.... No remote how old school Bingo (or maybe that should be hey-presto). That is, indeed, the answer. There's a selector for the various inputs on the front panel. I was mildly surprised that the box couldn't detect when the USB was in use and switch inputs accordingly. As for the question about using SPDIF and USB, wherever possible my listening was done using both the Rega and iMac (ie, comparing the same track on CD and from the iMac). Oddly, of the tracks I wrote about only the Nouvelle Vague was in both modes. The Holst I only have as part of a compilation CD (it's such a horrid recording I feel no compunction to rip it). The Bauhaus I have on vinyl and as a variable bit rate MP3. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixon76 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 feckless;94646 wrote: I was mildly surprised that the box couldn't detect when the USB was in use and switch inputs accordingly. My dac has a USB input (which I haven't utilised yet so can't comment), but is the auto-detection a common thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristar71 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 don't know Nix - but I wouldn't have thought so, presumably most of the internals are from 'other' CA products and just banged in a little box. It's a neat enough product and ticks all the boxes to produce a reasonably good sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkr001 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 My old Citypulse DAC allowed input changing via the remote. The Stello has a rotary dial which you have to turn manually. I rarely change inputs so its not a biggie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixon76 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Just trying to hunt down where the expectation came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Was probably a latent gene planted by aliens* in early Homo Erectus, triggered by 24/96 encoded files... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 F-bomb in DacMagic review. Style... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousgeorgenz Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 nixon76;94657 wrote: My dac has a USB input (which I haven't utilised yet so can't comment), but is the auto-detection a common thing? I think my PS Audio Digital Link III is auto-detection. Definitely cycles through the inputs until it finds a signal. Also think if more than on input active then press button to manually cycle through inputs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 The Citypulse USB DAC also cycled through, if I'm not mistaken. Red LEDs too -- mini Cylon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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