manchu Posted September 10, 2012 Posted September 10, 2012 I'm thinking of investing in my first DAC and after a little general advice. The DAC will primarily be used for audio out from TV (FTA tv broadcast, audio from AppleTV, audio from BD player). I'll also run CD player through DAC is possible, but I can't recall the last time I actually played a CD so this isn't a priority. Current setup: laptop ---(wifi)---> AppleTV ----(HDMI)----> TV ----(RCA)---> Amp CD Player ---(RCA)---> Amp Planned setup: Laptop ---(wifi)---> AppleTV ----(HDMI)----> TV ----(Optical)---> DAC ----(RCA)----> Amp CD Player ---(Optical)---->Optical to Coaxial Converter-----(Coax)--->DAC----(RCA)---> Amp AppleTV ----(Optical)----->Optical to Coaxial Converter-----(Coax)--->DAC----(RCA)---> Amp (only needed if I want to use appleTV for music without TV turned on) The setup is based on inputs available on the DACmagic 100. $350 it's about as much as I want to spend. Another benefit is the small footprint, which will work nicely with current space restrictions (although if I need to go bigger I could work something out). I'm keen to hear: - any general comments on this setup. Am a likely to notice a significant improvement over the TV's in built DAC (panasonic)? - any recommendations for the Optical to Coax converters? Any issues converting signal types, or would it be best to use an optical switch of some sort? - any suggestions for DAC other than the dacmagic? 2 or 3 optical inputs would be great, but not sure if that's likely. thanks in advance
firefly0071 Posted September 10, 2012 Posted September 10, 2012 Not listened to a Cambridge. When you upgrade, it is quite easy to sell a Dacmagic on Ebay etc. Something to consider.
manchu Posted September 11, 2012 Author Posted September 11, 2012 I bit the bullet on the dacmagic today. for the money I figured it was a good start. The hook up plan didn't go so well though. The signal level from optical out from TV is much lower than direct from the either source (ps3 or appleTV). I couldn't work out why so just went direct from ps3. I've got a got a cheap optical to coaxial converter on the way to get the appleTV connected.
bebop Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Hi manchu. Keep me updated with how you go with the coaxial converter between the Apple TV and the DAC. I currently connect my Apple TV via optical to the Rega DAC optical input. However, I get annoying cut outs every now and then with iTunes playback via WiFi, but no cutout playing movies.
bob.cob Posted September 14, 2012 Posted September 14, 2012 Would not go anywhere near a Cambridge Audio DAC. Based on what the company rep said recently regarding the Dac Magic 100: "...“We have, at Cambridge, always used live unamplified acoustic music as what we design for,†said John Bevier, national sales and product manager at Cambridge Audio. Those tend to be the recordings that audiophiles are most interested in, he said. Rock doesn’t do as well, he said, because its sound is engineered for the lower fidelity systems it is most likely to be played on." Pure elitist drivel. His DAC sounded like crap, but was "expected". Yeah right. What a chump. The DAC 100 sucks. Here's a link to a recent NYT review on "cheap" DAC's: http://nyti.ms/TYW9Ag
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