Suggestions on how to squeeze the best performance when using DacMagic w/ Nait 5i-2?

Currently using PC w/ Windows XP, connected to DacMagic via USB (generic cable). Apple Lossless files in iTunes. I have the DacMagic connected to the Tuner inputs on the 5i-2 w/ standard RCA cables. Using the linear phase setting on the DacMagic.

Any DacMagic/Naim users out there? Thanks in advance!

JBGood

Are you unhappy with any aspect of the performance you are getting ?

Things that you could do:

1. RC to DIN interconnect in place of RCA - RCA
2. Performance USB cable (do an internet search)
3. Upgraded powerpac for the CA Dacmagic
4. Use WAV files instead of Applelossless.

We demo the Dacmagic with a Chord Company Cobra super DIN (RCA to DIN) and have no complaints of it's performance...Chord Chorus works really well too..

Hi, I haven't tried it, but have read a few articles lately that state a digital connection to the DAC from your PC or Apple computer are a better option (if you have a sound card with digital output). Cheers.

Go to Maplins and get a transformer based power supply for about £15. This just plugs in the power socket at the back - you do not need to do anything more or modify anything (and indeed should not). Then prepare to be amazed - just about the best VFM upgrade I have ever done.

I would also second the recommendation for a Chord Cobra, this is what i use with mine.

Thanks for the reply. So you are recommending upgrading the power supply on the DacMagic? Can you recommend a specific power supply from Maplins Electronics? Is this something many DacMagic folks have been doing? Also, with the Chord Cobra- is it DIN (balanced) on the DacMagic end, and then RCA on the Nait 5i-2 end? Am I thinking of this in the correct manner?

Regards,

JBGood

quote:

Originally posted by oscarskeeper:
Go to Maplins and get a transformer based power supply for about £15. This just plugs in the power socket at the back - you do not need to do anything more or modify anything (and indeed should not). Then prepare to be amazed - just about the best VFM upgrade I have ever done.

I would also second the recommendation for a Chord Cobra, this is what i use with mine.

The Dacmagic does not have a Din connection and they are not balanced anyway. Do you mean the XLRs? I have never tried these.

I use a RCA to DIN connection. I have tried the same type of cable as RCA to RCA. This was similar if not identical.

The power supply is a 3000mA AC to AC adaptor with order code L54BR. No idea how many others use it, although you could try the pinkfish media forum and have a look. I can however wholeheartedly recommend it. it makes a good budget dac into something that in hi fi terms at least takes a CDS series player to better (or at least is better in those respects than the CDX I used to have and enjoyed).

Hope that helps

Ben

Ben,
Are you using your DacMagic w/ a computer? If so, USB? What cable are you using there? Stock or something fancy?

Thanks for the specific information on the power supply. I'm not very knowledgeable in the electronics corner. Is this safe? How did you know to choose this one? Your own personal expertise, or you read about it in a forum? Just don't want to burn the house down

Which phase do you primarily use with your DacMagic?

Regards,

JBGood

quote:

Originally posted by oscarskeeper:
The Dacmagic does not have a Din connection and they are not balanced anyway. Do you mean the XLRs? I have never tried these.

I use a RCA to DIN connection. I have tried the same type of cable as RCA to RCA. This was similar if not identical.

The power supply is a 3000mA AC to AC adaptor with order code L54BR. No idea how many others use it, although you could try the pinkfish media forum and have a look. I can however wholeheartedly recommend it. it makes a good budget dac into something that in hi fi terms at least takes a CDS series player to better (or at least is better in those respects than the CDX I used to have and enjoyed).

Hope that helps

Ben

Yes, USB with an imac. Just a bog standard USB cable, not tried any others - would be a bit sceptical TBH.

I think that I got the recommendation on the pink fish site, where there are many who are very competent in the electronics field. I'm certainly not. I've had it on there for about 6 months and never had any problems. I would ask over there to satisfy yourself and get an explanation as to why it's OK.

I seem to recall that it is ok to use something that can provide a higher current if needed, so long as the voltage and type of power is right, it will just draw what it needs but will have a bigger reserve with the Maplin one than the stock wall wart. I think that this is part of the hicap/supercap benefits, but as I say, others will be able to tell you far more than I can.

I use the phase which has the top light - can't recall what it is - sorry!

Ben

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Folks find any sonic preference between USB, Optical and Coaxial? At least to my ears (and using my cables), I found coaxial had slightly more weight and presence.

If I am understanding this correctly, it appears that using optical or coaxial connection between 'puter and DacMagic allows for a higher incoming sample rate.

For anyone using an external DAC w/ Windows XP, did you bother to disable Kmixer? If so, did this make a difference? Is this something I only should consider if I am using USB connection?


-JBGood

The USB input on the DAC magic will only support up to 48Khz whereas the optical and coax SPDIF inputs will take up to 96Khz - what files were you playing - CD rips at 44.1 / 16 bit ?

There is a good guide here to setting up your system to minimise or eliminate Kmixer issues.

Benchmark Wiki

James

Optical or co-ax would be my preference. You shouldn't have to disable kmixer, since it's the dac that's doing the converting, not the soundcard, but I'm not that familiar with kmixer.

Dont worry about K-mixer, it is a non issue.

As long as you are only playing one stream of audio and have all System Volumes at 100%, the K-mixer's involvement is bit-perfect.

You can safely use the volumes in Foobar or iTunes without disrupting bit-transparency. I am not sure about other players.

-patrick
Also, it is non-existent in Vista, if you use that...

quote:

You can safely use the volumes in Foobar or iTunes without disrupting bit-transparency

Would that still be bit transparent ? - adjusting the volume applies a gain factor and would change the original value of the sample ?

james,

I dont know. I keep ALL volumes, save the 102, at 100%, always.

USB on the dacmagic is pretty crap. Firewire is the only decent connection to use for audio.

Stick to SPDIF on the dacmagic for now.

Planning to upgrade my interconnect between DacMagic and 5i-2. I'm considering Chord Chrysallis and Cobra. Any advice here? Cobra worth the extra few dollars? Cobra 3 significantly better than Cobra 2?

Better to keep interconnect short (i.e. 1M vs 2M)?

Regards,
JBGood

in the near future I'm looking at a DAC, and was thinking about the DAC magic.

is there a way to DIY a cable to get the benefits from the balanced connectors and DIN connectors from the components?

as i understand, the din is a balanced stereo input and the XLR is mono so what i would need to do is work out the pin configurations and solder as required?

Stu

Naim dose not have a balanced input so there may be little point in using the XLR outputs on the CA Dacmagic into a Naim amp. You will not be getting the benefits from balanced connections to get them both the sending and receiving components need to use true balanced inputs.

I am using a phono/din i/c lead with mine with great results.

sorry. it was my understanding that the naim din connector was a conjoined xlr input??

I also bought the Maplins power supply for my dac magic and it is a vast improvement over the standard one. Russ Andrews also markets an improved power supply for the dacmagic but it is much dearer than the Maplins one.

Don't forget that you need a 12v AC output - there are many dc output transformers.

quote:

Originally posted by JBGood:
Planning to upgrade my interconnect between DacMagic and 5i-2. I'm considering Chord Chrysallis and Cobra. Any advice here? Cobra worth the extra few dollars? Cobra 3 significantly better than Cobra 2?

Better to keep interconnect short (i.e. 1M vs 2M)?

Regards,
JBGood

I'm using Chord Cobra 3 RCA to DIN for my DacMagic. Sounds great! I don't know how it compares to Chrysalis however. I went for a pretty short cable (2' I think) for reasons of convenience and economy. 1M is *far* too long for my system.

I think there's a real good synergy between the DacMagic and Nait 5i; I am constantly surprised by the clarity and scale of my system's performance.

I dont know for sure but it looks like CA might have a new DAC on its way.
I have just had a mail from the uk seller outing them cheap.
They might just be trying to clear stock though.

Have to agree with oscarskeeper regarding the Maplin's power supply. I bought one of these yesterday (£15.99) and was expecting the usual small unit but this was bigger than the unit supplied with the DacMagic and heavy.Opens up the sound nicely. A no-brainer as they say.

Neil

Neil

What is the Maplins stock number for this power supply?

I also have a Nait 5i-2 heading my way next week to replace the NAD in the small system in my flat...looking forward to it.

Cheers

Jim

Hi Jim

It is the L54BR as mentioned in post 6 above. 3A (3000mA) AC to AC (240V to 12V). Most adaptors are AC to DC so be careful. The supply is much cooler in operation than that supplied (unit is on 24/7) and, as mentioned, opens up the DAC. I usually buy Russ Andrew's gear (have the SqueezePak for SB3) for about £100 (inc cables) so I'm a happy bunny!

Have a look on the Maplin's site and you will find it quite easily.

Neil

Neil

Thanks for that....I missed the reference as I scan read the thread.

Cheers

Jim