next stage dac

How limited is the budget - lots of excellent DAC's around although the Airport Express (i take it that's what you have) is a fairly limited source and will only pass 16/44.1 data.

James

The dacmagic is good, I reckon a larvy ds10 would be a suitable upgrade

Chordette Gem (c£400) would be a great upgrade (doubt you'll find anything better under £1k) - if you want something better then the Naim DAC. You should find it easy enough to audition these.

Beware the GEM only supports BT and USB interfaces - if you want more you need a Peach, but that's double the fare.

quote:

Chordette Gem (c£400) would be a great upgrade (doubt you'll find anything better under £1k) - if you want something better then the Naim DAC.

Are you serious

"then" not "than" - I'm probably missing a comma

If you want something better then get a Naim DAC is what I meant - I have the Chodette Gem in my office set-up and while I prefer it significantly to the Lavry, DacMagic and couple of other low end DACs I've heard, my Naim DAC/555PS sounds much better to me - as indeed it should.

In fact, I have listened to Chord's rather good top of the range DAC and I still prefer the Naim DAC.

Sorry for the confusion.

SJW - there are a number of fine DAC's around under 1k. The Lavry seems to really polarise opinions but having lived with one for a year, i found it to be a very good DAC certainly punching well above its weight. I've never heard the Chord DAC that ROTF mentions but i'm sure its a very good unit although limited on connectivity. Rega are due to release a DAC very soon and that looks like it'll be one worth waiting for.

James

quote:

"then" not "than" - I'm probably missing a comma

LOL

True -- it's my fault in reading -- you were very accurate indeed.

sjw,

You can start with PS Audio DLIII (around 800 $) or Cullen Mod IV (around 1.5 K$).

In 1,5 K$ you can go for Lavry or Benchmark.

nDAC/XPS is in another price/quality league.

There's the Arcam rDAC too - modestly priced, with some fancy asynchronous wireless streaming coming soon.

Hi Sjw -

A year before buying the Naim DAC, I tried Dacmagic and MF V-DAC, and preferred the later. Since then, the MF M1 DAC has come out and gotten very good reviews.

But to be 100% honest, I am not convinced that there is a really good option between the Dacmagic-class and the Naim DAC. My advice would be to save up, and buy the Naim DAC when you can afford it.

Have seen one or two pop up on Audiogon. You might also want to check with your local dealer to see if they are ready to part with a demo model.

Good luck!

Hook

quote:

Chordette Gem (c£400) would be a great upgrade (doubt you'll find anything better under £1k)

Should clarify - you'll definitely find other DACs which could appeal, but this one is very good for the modest outlay and it's BT interface is very useful IMHO (well if you want connect another BlueTooth device, it is). However, you need to have a listen to be sure - I've read the MF DACs are very good, I'm sure Arcam (not heard the rDAC) and Rega (will) make good DACs (the simple DAC Rega dropped in the Apollo gives superb results).

Good luck with your search: have a listen to something like the Chordette Gem or Arcam rDAC or MF M1 (a good dealer will let you try one at home); if you find it is not much better than your Cambridge DacMagic then it may simply mean that there isn't an upgrade between where you are and the mighty nDAC - ATB Rotf

quote:

I am not convinced that there is a really good option between the Dacmagic-class and the Naim DAC.

Lavry DA11?

The Linn Sneaky-DS and Majik-DS are also surely contenders if you wish to stream to them. Would just replace your Airport.

is the airport a bottleneck ie does a squeezebox replace that and do a better job?
thanks

quote:

Originally posted by sjw:
is the airport a bottleneck ie does a squeezebox replace that and do a better job?
thanks

From my experience with digital sources you will get *some* improvements upgrading but it won't be groundbreaking.

I have demo'd a Sneaky DS and they do a fine job indeed, both digitally and analogue a bargain at £800ish too.