Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 - Digital to Analogue Converter with Toslink, S/PDIF, and USB Inputs Featuring 24-bit Wolfson DAC - Black

The Cambridge is extremely small, like a big pack of cigarettes.The power supply is also really small with a two prong AC outlet attached.When looking at it, I didn't think it would produce any high quality sound.I was surprised when I first plugged it in to my system.It was dynamic, with a lot of bottom end bass, good top end and detail, and surprisingly musical sounding.It is a bit bass heavy and the highs are a little rolled off.Soundstage is average and the details are a bit laid back.These are my first impressions right out of the box; it's not broken in yet.I look forward to hearing it after 100 hours of play time.For $250, I didn't expect much, but this DAC really surprised me.

I shopped around and read a lot of positive reviews about this DAC. Now, I understand why. I knew that there was something lacking in the output audio from my PC to my amplifier. I'm neither an audiophile nor a novice, but my research led me into shopping for a DAC to improve the sound quality from my PC's audio output. It's easy to get overwhelmed when shopping for the right DAC because there are a lot of products on the market. So, I took a chance on the Cambridge Audio DAC. Wow, what a difference this DAC made! Instant improvement of overall sound quality. It's too cheesy to say "magic", but the difference was dramatic and obvious. Take your time and follow the setup instructions, carefully. It's easy to make a mistake and think that you've got a defective product - at first - if you don't double check your source input setting...etc. However, the setup is not overly complicated at all. For the money that I invested in this product, I can say that this was a great buy that exceeded my expectations. I did compare this product to other, more expensive brands, and I can say that I'm very pleased with my purchase. The sound quality is excellent - and was an instant upgrade to my system. I highly recommend this product.

The DACMAGIC 100 was first introduced about 10 years ago. It received decent reviews back then so I gave it shot. I ordered it and received it in 2 days. I ordered new coaxial, optical and RCA cables. I used the USB cable in the package.When I hooked it up to my PC in place of my Schiit Modi, I immediately noticed an improvement when playing my Meze headphones. It was nice to see the sampling rates on the face of the 100. I had no way of knowing what rates were playing from the Modi.Then I hooked it up to my integrated amplifier. Oh yes. The midrange was very nice.A few features could have been better. I did not like the auto off. I did not like the lack of a remote control. I also did not like that the wall wart was the only power option. I would have preferred a USB power option. These features are available on other DACs so I returned it to continue my hunt for an affordable DAC.Still, this is very nice sounding DAC for the money. I am just fussy.

I successfully play Amazon Music HD from my iPhone to my hifi system using this DAC. I used a Lightening to USB Type B wire to connect my iPhone to the DAC (MeloAudio USB 2.0 Cable Type B to Midi Cable OTG Cable; also available from Amazon.com). A sales representative from a company that sells high quality speaker wire and interconnects, but one that doesn't sell ridiculous sell snake oil products, assures me that any functioning Lightening/USB Type B wire is as good as another. Regular RAC cables from the DAC to the pre amp. Note that Cambridge warns in the DACMagic 100 manual that it is not designed for use with iPhones. I think this is because Apple could at anytime make a software change that causes the iPhone to DAC connection not to work. But right now, this connection works on both my 6s+ and my 8+ iPhones. The Amazon Music HD app says the "device limit" is 24-bit/96 kHZ. I'm guessing this refers to the iPhones, as this DAC can handle 24/192. On the DAC, the "incoming sample rate" indicator is always 96, even if the track quality of the Amazon HD file is less. For those who understand the significance, the iPhone volume buttons have no effect on sound volume. But oddly, the balance adjustment in iPhone Settings>Accessibility>Audio/Visual DOES have an effect. Go figure.Sound quality? I can't tell the difference between a real CD in my player and CD-quality from Amazon Music HD. I thought higher resolutions from Amazon Music HD sounded better than a CD on my 30-year Adcom/Kef system with an Onkyo CD player. With my slightly-less-old Naim NAIT 3R pre-power-amp and the same CD player, I can't say I heard a difference.Five months later. No problems, but I did have a scare. Music intermittently stopped playing through the hifi and I got the ominous message on my iPhone “the connected device is not recognized.” I feared that Tim Cook had taken revenge on me for abandoning iTunes. But I updated the iPhone operating system and it hasn’t been a problem since. Twenty-one months later, more of the same intermittent short-lived scares.One small item of note: a quick press turns the DAC on; you have to hold in longer to turn it off.

good

I paired it with my Cambridge Audio cd transporter and it worked flawlessly!! Thanks