UPDATE: Cambridge Audio expands DAC range with wireless DacMagic Plus
Update 24.11.11
Given the level of interest here, we've had a chat with Cambridge Audio and gleaned a little more information. First, the DacMagic Plus will go on sale in Richer Sounds stores on or before December 1st.
Second, CA has confirmed that "a new entry-level DacMagic will go on sale in spring 2012". There's no exact confirmation on pricing yet, but it's likely to be "close to the 2008-2011 DacMagic". That's to say around the £230 mark.
And as we saw both models in development back in the summer, we can confirm they are quite different in terms of specification.
Published 22.11.11
Cambridge Audio is expanding its range of DAC devices with the introduction of the £350 DacMagic Plus, and further models are planned for the New Year.
It doesn't replace the existing £230 DacMagic, but rather offers enhanced performance and the option of wireless Bluetooth apt-X connectivity.
A new plug-and-play BT100 audio receiver (£70) allows music to be streamed wirelessly from iPhones, Android smartphones, laptops and PCs or any device which supports Bluetooth.
As for the DacMagic Plus itself, the device has the following upgrades:
• A reworked USB input that now supports 24-bit transfer for "better than CD quality" playback of digital music files up to 24/192kH
* Dedicated headphone amplifier and volume control
• Enhanced performance from a new ATF2 upsampling algorithm
* A new digital preamp function so that it can be connected directly to and control power amplifiers and active speakers
Other key features include twin Wolfson WM8740 DACs implemented in dual differential mode, a new 32-bit Analog Devices digital signal processor, two digital inputs with both coaxial and optical connections and balanced XLR as well as standard RCA phono outputs.
Three selectable filters (linear/minimum/steep) allow the listener to select the one that sounds best to their ears for each content source, a full metal chassis and new wraparound casework with aluminium front panel.
The DacMagic Plus will be available in silver or black from early December, and the BT100 wireless audio receiver will follow a few weeks later.
Read more about Cambridge Audio's plans in our exclusive blog
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Comments
The black model is on sale at Richer Sounds, online only (according to my local store). He didn't know when the silver one would be available or in the stores, but I'm guessing on or shortly after December 1st.
Thank you for your help Andy, you've really really helped me out here. I'm going to get all my stuff hooked up to one of these before Christmas now.
Sincerely, thanks for your help.
Yoshmeister, I've had a chat with Cambridge Audio and added an update to the story above re availability and new models.
Thanks for the info. Guess I'll wait till next year to find out what my options are.
I was looking forward to finally getting a Dac as well, the last/current DacMagic has been discontinued for at least 6 months from looking at the Richersounds website and I've just been waiting tight for them to be replaced before buying. Hope at CES they don't just announce a lesser-than-Plus model, that would be annoying!
I'm afraid further info is under strict embargo, though expect there may be more news at CES 2012 in January.
Really interested in a Dac. Could you tell us anything about the "further models [that] are planned for the New Year"?
I really really want to buy a Dac at the moment, but know it would grind me if I bought the bullet and got one of these when they come out, just for a few weeks or months later a suped-up DacMagic2 without a headphone socket be announced, or something.. that would be well annoying.
'Early December' is all we're being told for now. Should be in the shops before Christmas.
When are we likely to get an actual date for release?
I just don't understand their marketing.
This is available in Black and Silver.
Their top-of-the-range Azur 751BD is available in black only.
I don't like black (all my stuff is silver)
Result: no sale.
I don't think a remote for a DAC is overly necessary. Unless you're using it as a headphone amp or to control a power amp, & therefore might want to adjust the volume from your chair, I can't foresee getting up very often to adjust. A sensor and optional remote might have been nice.
However, how useful will the headphone amp be? Will the headphone jack output an upsampled post DAC signal, the same as the RCAs, or will it sound no better than my 540R if it's separate?
For me, the additional £150 is just for the extra upsampling power and dubious benefits of aynchronous USB & USB 2 data transfer. I'm finding it hard to convince myself that 384khz upsampling is going to make a huge difference to the analogue output over 192.
But I still want one anyway. When is it out?
Thanks for your valuable feedback. It's always good to know there's a lively debate on product features. We always take a sound-first approach to every product we develop which means the quality of the primary audio components we specify comes before anything else.
DacMagic Plus does not feature a remote control as we considered it primarily a high quality DAC, with the system volume remotely controlled by the attached amplifier/system or with it next to a PC/Mac where the volume can also be controlled from the PC directly.
The digital pre-amp feature was originally intended for use with the unit’s headphone amplifier output where again we considered the user to be adjacent to the unit with a remote control not a requirement.
However, after feedback from our testing, we were also able to successfully implement the digital volume control optionally on the line output for those customers who want to connect directly to a power amplifier or pair of active speakers.
At this stage we chose not to add a remote control because of the increased cost associated of implementing IR control / supplying a remote for functionality that most users wouldn't use in their set-up.
Hope this rationale is clear but we're always happy to be challenged so please do ask!
Cambridge Audio
At what point did CA decide that we all were bored of full-size separates units? They picture it (or a Sonata thing) on top of a full size amp and it looks ludicrous.
Massive omission. Remote is essential. Mk 2 anyone?
Yep, confirmed - no remote control.
What an odd decision not to include remote... Unless it is coming in the mentioned 'further models'.
Very interesting otherwise!
No Remote Control capability wth this unit....
Looks good. However, is it true there is no remote for the volume control ?
I will check with CA, but it doesn't look like it.
Looks good. However, is it true there is no remote for the volume control ?