I recently purchased the Tube Magic DAC 2. This is my second DAC; I needed an additional DAC for an audio/visual set up in my home office.
I am currently using a Cambridge Audio DacMagic in my main listening room. The plan, audition both DACs, the winner stays in the main room the loser to the office.
Equipment:
Front LR - Vintage KEF reference model one speakers. Where the Reference excels, other than a neutral balance, is the vast headroom they have, with the right amplification of course. Their ability to remain sounding the same at louder volumes and still have the same dynamic capabilities is almost second to none at the price point. I've never bottomed out a pair of Reference.
Center JBL LC2
Sub Orb audio Super 8
Surrounds Orb Audio Mod 4s
Cable Audio Quest Topaz
MARANTZ AV Surround Receiver SR6005
MACBOOK PRO with 1TB Lacie external HD. 800GB of music ripped from CDs played back in Apple LossLess format.
Album used for the Audition: Cowboy Junkies The Trinity Session, why I choose this - the band wanted to record live with one stereo microphone direct to tape. Peter Moore was enlisted and suggested the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto for its natural reverb. To better persuade the officials of the historic church, the band claimed to be The Timmins Family Singers and said they were recording a Christmas special for radio. The session began on the morning of November 27, 1987. The group first recorded the songs with the fewest instruments and then the songs with gradually more complex arrangements. In this way Moore and the band were able to solve acoustic problems one by one. To better balance Margo Timmins's vocals against the electric guitars and drums, she was recorded through a PA system that had been left behind by a previous group. By making subtle changes in volume and placement relative to the microphone over six hours, Moore and the band had finally reached the distinctive sound of the album by the time the last of the guest musicians arrived at the church. I listened in direct mode and 5-channel stereo
I originally listened to this album in 1988 using an Audible Illusion tube preamp with a 200 watt per channel B&K power amp, turntable and Kef speakers. My goal, how close could I get to that sound with the above equipment?
I have been using the DacMagic for over two years it cost approximately $400.00. There was definitely an improvement in sound coherency vs. running the MAC to the MARANTZ without a DAC.
I hooked up the Tube Magic to the USB port and the tube outputs. I heard a significant difference in my ears. There was better imaging. Imaging wasn't super sharp but it did not sound- artificially defined. The overall soundstage and placement of audio within the stage was improved. The sound appeared to be coming from one big speaker not directional. I really liked the tube output, like chocolate syrup flowing over vanilla ice cream. Smooth, warm and very easy to listen to.
The winner in Tube Magic DAC 2
Junior
