What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Better sound and better features than the original but you can get better sound
Pros
- +
Versatile
- +
impressive feature count
- +
aptX Bluetooth
- +
sound is detailed, subtle and fast
Cons
- -
Lacks dynamic power
- -
hint of brightness to treble frequencies
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Cambridge Audio's original DacMagic was something of a whirlwind success. It was perfectly placed as the digital-to-analogue converter – that's a DAC to the uninitiated – re-emerged as a popular way to give your digital system a sonic boost.
The original DacMagic continues for now but will be replaced by a new model in the near future. This model sits above it in price and spec.
There's no remote, though; most folk will probably use this as a DAC, in which case the amp or computer will do that job.
The DacMagicPlus now internally upsamples any connected source to 24bit/384kHz and has improved jitter reduction. It can accept 24bit/192kHz audio via its USB input, too – a quality that's rare over USB for DACs.
There's a choice of Linear Phase, Minimum Phase and Steep filter modes, which you should experiment with, too (we liked Minimum the best).
Natural sound, but needs more power
Switch to the USB connection and Amy Winehouse's Valerie ('68 version) from the Lioness: Hidden Treasures album, there's not the weight or refinement we get from our reference Arcam rDAC.
There's an edge to the treble
If you want to go wireless, there is an inevitable drop in quality – but the aptX dongle connected to our smartphones and laptop easily enough, and sounded better than standard Bluetooth connections.
But you have to pay for it, and with impressive competition, the DacMagic Plus is in 'very good' (but not class-leading) territory.
