I now own three external DAC units - a Cambridge Dac Magic 100, a Cambridge DAC Magic Plus, and a Peachtree DACiTx. I use the DAC Magic Plus with my main audio system, which also has all of my GE speakers and a Cambridge 851A two channel amplifier. I use the Peachtree DACiTx with my traveling LogicTech Z623 2.1 powered audio system. I use the Cambridge DAC Magic 100 with my two channel garage music system which also consists of an older Sony 2-channel amplifier, a pair of inexpensive KLH floor standing speakers, and a pair of very inexpensive Jensen bookshelf speakers..

I drive all systems with FLAC files stored on three different PCs, using MusicBee as the software player and for music file control.

In my opinion, converting to these three external DACs has made a very noticeable difference in sound for all of my setups. It is not only the quality of the DAC chips, but also the surrounding electronics which work together to markedly improve the resulting analog sound. I encourage everybody to consider converting to dedicated external DAC units, rather than using the DACs built-in to PCs, or even those built in to good quality AV Receivers. I have less than $800.00 total invested in all three of my DACs.

Happy listening,

Art

I have been doing a lot of research on DACs lately. If all the reviews I have been reading are correct. Chord and Schiit are the two DAC/AMP manufacturers to watch and check out...

Roman

The Chord and Schiit DACS get a lot of discussion on internet forums and have been enthusiastically reviewed by audio mags and websites. No question they're good products. But they represent only two manufacturers among many other very fine DACs from companies like Ayre, Grace Designs, PS Audio, Rega, Benchmark, Mytek, Parasound, Weiss, Wired4Sound, NAD, Cambridge, Musical Fidelity, Naim, Peachtree, Metrum, Audio Note, Bricasti, Berkeley and on and on. The chips in the DAC can be the least of the alchemy involved in conversion - jitter, power supplies and analog output stages as well as the overall implementation of the design are just as important as the chips. There are upsampling DACs, NOS (non-oversampling) and r2r ladder dacs. They are solid state output stages and tube buffered output stages. Then there's the convenience and feature set: inputs, outputs, USB, DSD decoding etc depending on your sources.

I feel DACs can make a significant difference in a system, depending on your starting point. Digital processing has progressed rapidly in the past several years. There's no way to totally future proof your DAC, but the fact that they're separate from your transport or other sources makes for a simpler (not necessarily cheaper) upgrade path. The differences between DACs at similar price points can be subtle, and selection is best made after a home audition of the contenders - you can hear how the DAC sounds with your gear in your room playing your preferred recordings via your media. Next best is auditioning DACs at a dealers. Be cautious of the hype. It's all about your priorities and system synergy. Your choice may be one of the DAC du jours. Or it may be something else entirely. Only your ears can tell. I don't know what you're starting point is, but if it's the internal DACs in a AV receiver you might be in for a very big, very happy surprise.
.

Hi Rackon,

Welcome to the GE Forum.

Thanks for your detailed response to my original post regarding the potential benefits of external DACs. My starting points were both the internal DACs and associated electronics in my Onkyo NR 3009 AV Receiver and the internal DACs and associated electronics in two different Toshiba Laptops. The differences were very noticeable in both situations. In fact, the conversion to the external DACs produced the most dramatic sound improvement I have encountered with any specific action I have taken thus far. The best way for me to describe the audible effect is to say that the sound "blossomed out" when I switched to an external DAC - meaning that the sound became richer and fuller and more expansive.

I also totally agree that listening is the best way to decide about any audio gear.

Best,

Art

Hi Arthur!

My comments were intended more for Roman - I know from your previous posts that you have been upgrading your main system and are aware of the benefits of external DACs.

Just curious: you mentioned on another thread you felt the Peachtree and the DAC Magic Plus were fairly close - did you ever consider moving up to the Cambridge Azure 851D? Did you ever audition it?

We will be DAC shopping after we acquire the Tritons. I want to hear the Rega DAC R and would like to hear he Azure.

Thanks!

Hi Rackon,

"Great minds think alike". My audio system consists of pairs of GE Triton Ones, Triton Sevens, and SuperSat 3Cs. They are driven by a Cambridge 851A Azure two-channel Amp. All of my audio files are stored on a dedicated PC Laptop. I use MusicBee to play the files. The digital signals are sent to a Cambridge DAC Magic Plus.

My multi-channel AV system is completely separate from my audio system - speakers and receiver.

I am very pleased with the combination of the two Cambridge units.

Best,

Art