After a new DAC/Headphone amp/PreAmp.

seanyc5 · 3 Jun 2015 at 18:06

Hi,

Im going to upgrade my uDac2 that I use as a USB DAC/Headphone amp and preamp to Nad power amp.

Say a budget of £250, Ill then later upgrade my headphones to something in the £300ish range.

The DacMagic Plus fits the bill, but I have no idea if I can do better for the money. What do you think?

Thanks,
Sean

Cookeh · 3 Jun 2015 at 19:02

Arcam rDAC is excellent in its class/price range, its where I would put my money

That being said, the DACMagic Plus is no slouch.

danoliver1 · 3 Jun 2015 at 19:32

The dacmagic plus is excellent vfm plenty of inputs plenty of outputs inc balanced xlr,good build quality, great sound quality upto 24/192khz twin dacs. And a pretty good headphone amp. As a one box solution you will find it hard to beat at £200.
use mine with sennheiser hd700s and it sounds pretty sweet.
why not buy one mailorder try it for a few days then send it back if you dont like it.

seanyc5 · 3 Jun 2015 at 20:42

danoliver1 said:
The dacmagic plus is excellent vfm plenty of inputs plenty of outputs inc balanced xlr,good build quality, great sound quality upto 24/192khz twin dacs. And a pretty good headphone amp. As a one box solution you will find it hard to beat at £200.
use mine with sennheiser hd700s and it sounds pretty sweet.
why not buy one mailorder try it for a few days then send it back if you dont like it.

Is that even possible? Just say you dont like it or what? You say the headphone amp isnt that good, could you use the RCA output to then use a seperate amp in the future maybe?
Its £250 on richer sounds, It seems thats the cheapest I can see?

Thanks,
Sean

danoliver1 · 3 Jun 2015 at 22:23

seanyc5 said:
Is that even possible? Just say you dont like it or what? You say the headphone amp isnt that good, could you use the RCA output to then use a seperate amp in the future maybe?
Its £250 on richer sounds, It seems thats the cheapest I can see?

Thanks,
Sean

Yep if you buy mailorder you are covered by the distance selling regulations which means you have a cooling off period meaning you can send it back for a full refund. They may even lend you a demo unit if you ask.
you can just use it as a dac if you like so maybe add a valve amp in the future.
join there vip club its free just fill out online form and get £50 off.

danoliver1 · 3 Jun 2015 at 22:30

I checked yesterday and they were 200 but today there 250?

Marine-RX179 · 3 Jun 2015 at 22:34

danoliver1 said:
I checked yesterday and they were 200 but today there 250?

Looks like the sale was over...I've been eyeing up on it for my HD700, but I'm not very sure due to whathifi's comment on it being too bright.

Might look at O2/ODAC instead...

danoliver1 · 3 Jun 2015 at 22:56

Everyones hearing is different only way to know is go have a listen.

Cookeh · 3 Jun 2015 at 23:44

Marine-RX179 said:
Might look at O2/ODAC instead...

Which is a sublime combo. Not sure how it compares to the DACMagic, I imagine the amp will be miles better and the DAC perhaps on a par - more likely slightly worse, hard to say. ODAC gets truly fantastic reviews as a DAC so should be all good.

seanyc5 · 10 Jun 2015 at 18:43

Went for the DacMagic Plus in the end, ive had to order one in though the shop didnt have any. Gutted I just missed out on the £200 price though!