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Showing 1 of 56 conversations about:
HwoALanG
133
Apr 24, 2018
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rayschoepfer
47
Apr 25, 2018
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HwoALanGLooked up both DACs and the Cambridge has lots of good reviews. I tried buying it but it does not ship to Canada and Amazon Canada wants $210 . I encourage someone in MassDrop land to buy both the Cambridge and the Zuper DAC S (both are cheap) and let us know what they actually sound like. Always interested in really good sub $100 DACS but only listen to people that have actually listened to what they are recommending against the listened to competition. I've been in the HiFi game for nearly 50 years and have learned that ulitmately, you have to hear it to believe it.
ISkyI
8
Apr 25, 2018
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rayschoepferI am very interested in the comparison too. My primary reason for getting one is to use it with my Pixel 2. ZuperDac comes with a USB-C wire whereas the Cambridge one requires you to buy a micro USB to USB - C cable. But being a AMP too makes it more interesting than the ZuperDac
bluewrecK
17
Apr 26, 2018
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HwoALanGThanks for the suggestion! Going to look into that as I currently have the Fulla USB Dongle DAC/Amp and looking to add another to my portable collection.
ripsterarmy99
153
Jun 21, 2018
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rayschoepferGot mine on Amazon for 99 plus tax, this link here: https://www.amazon.ca/Cambridge-Audio-DacMagic-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B015JET0N4/
rayschoepfer
47
Jun 21, 2018
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ripsterarmy99Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered mine and will report back to this thread after spending time listening.
rayschoepfer
47
Jul 20, 2018
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HwoALanGFinally got hold of the Cambridge and sat down for serious listen between the Cambridge, ZuperDac2 and Explorer 2 (not running MQA) and finally, for quality control, my Nufroce DAC80 (way more expensive than above).
Given the reviews, I must say that I had high hopes for the Cambridge. But to cut to the chase, it was no competition. The ZuperDac 2, running as a dac only into a speaker based hifi system, ate the Cambridge for lunch. The Cambridge was far less detailed with less bass impact with a much smaller overall soundstage. The Cambridge was much closer to the Explorer 2 running standard red book (not MQA, there the Explorer really shines).
As far as the power of the build in amp, as I was listeneing to a fully amplified system, I can't comment.
Finally, I compared all to the Nuforce. No competition there, theNuforce blew the ZuperDac away to the same degree that the ZuperDac blew the Cambridge away. If the Nuforce DAC 80 ever comes back to Massdrop, get it. If not, next time the ZuperDac comes up, get it (assuming you ned a DAC, again no comment on the internal amp)
Given the reviews, I must say that I had high hopes for the Cambridge. But to cut to the chase, it was no competition. The ZuperDac 2, running as a dac only into a speaker based hifi system, ate the Cambridge for lunch. The Cambridge was far less detailed with less bass impact with a much smaller overall soundstage. The Cambridge was much closer to the Explorer 2 running standard red book (not MQA, there the Explorer really shines).
As far as the power of the build in amp, as I was listeneing to a fully amplified system, I can't comment.
Finally, I compared all to the Nuforce. No competition there, theNuforce blew the ZuperDac away to the same degree that the ZuperDac blew the Cambridge away. If the Nuforce DAC 80 ever comes back to Massdrop, get it. If not, next time the ZuperDac comes up, get it (assuming you ned a DAC, again no comment on the internal amp)
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Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS v2 USB DAC and Headphone Amp seems to be better choice
Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS v2 USB DAC and Headphone Amp Uses ESS9023 24-bit DAC. Sample rates supported: USB 1.0 mode: 16 kHz 24-bit, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz. USB 2.0 mode: 16 kHz 24-bit, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz.
if you want something cheaper
XtremPro Portable USB DAC Headphone Amplifier - ESS Sabre™ DAC 9023 for $32.49