DAC advice and suggestions, looking to replace faulty DAC MagicPlus

[vinniep]

Hello, I'm looking for a suggestion of a new DAC/Pre-amp to replace my DacMagic Plus.

I have a Krell KST-100, Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus, and two 2.5-way floor standing speakers (2x SEAS W18NX003 in each).

I've always had trouble with the CA DacMagic (would take several attempts to turn on and recognize a signal from USB, optical was better), and it would often output a high-frequency noise instead of music after turning it on. The DAC no longer ever recognizes the bitrate of any signal, and often the input selector doesn't show any selection.

Of course there is the newer CA DACMagic 200m available at $500, but with my history with this device, I'm not eager to take a look their way again.
I've also taken a look at the RME ADI2DACFS, and NAD DAC C-series, but I'm not sure with my setup if I need an integrated amp to replace the Krell as well. My budget would include both the NAD or RME if that's the best move.

Any suggestions for 1-1 DAC replacements for the Cambridge Audio, or is the play to move towards an integrated amp and dac?

 

[lovinthehd]

So you need your dac to also be pre-amp/volume control with your current gear it seems. What gear do you need to connect/use as sources?

I'd keep the amp and just get the piece you need unless you feel it's time for more power or something, $500 budget should be fine. An integrated amp with dac could be a one-box solution and some integrated amps might be more powerful, but if you're happy with your current amp with your speakers then why go that route? RME, SMSL, Topping, Gustard, Schiit are some dac brands that test well (many have been tested at audiosciencereview.com).

 

[vinniep]

Thanks lovinthehd for the response! Yes, mostly I need the DAC (or separate gear) to pre-amp/volume control. Mostly I'll need optical from TV/desktop computer. USB and Bluetooth would be nice to haves.

I do feel the amp is plenty powerful, there is a long-running rumor that these low-end Krells of the 90s punch above their weight. My only thought at the integrated route is stand-alone DACs with balanced output (though maybe not required for my setup?) and volume control seem to be getting harder to find. For example, on the Schiit route, I think I would need a separate pre-amp and DAC, which sounds fine but me but I'm not sure if there's an easier way.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks lovinthehd for the response! Yes, mostly I need the DAC (or separate gear) to pre-amp/volume control. Mostly I'll need optical from TV/desktop computer. USB and Bluetooth would be nice to haves.

I do feel the amp is plenty powerful, there is a long-running rumor that these low-end Krells of the 90s punch above their weight. My only thought at the integrated route is stand-alone DACs with balanced output (though maybe not required for my setup?) and volume control seem to be getting harder to find. For example, on the Schiit route, I think I would need a separate pre-amp and DAC, which sounds fine but me but I'm not sure if there's an easier way.

There are quite a few units that have balanced output, and probably wouldn't matter anyways (maybe depending output voltage of device and your amp input sensitivity).....here are measurements if you're interested for your Krell https://www.stereophile.com/content/krell-kst-100-power-amplifier-measurements. Looks to be a nice amp, particularly for lower impedance needs. I can't point you at specific models for a dac/pre-amp combo, but some of the "headphone" dac/amps might work. Most of my dacs are in avrs/disc players :...I do have a small standalone dac for my old 2ch analog setup from Schiit, tho it is just a dac with limited connectivity (Modi 3+), but works in that setup for what I need.

Some do like a "stack" of smaller units, today's class D amps using Hypex or Purifi modules can be very high performance in a small package, so conceivably you could end up with less bulk than the Krell/CA units using even separate dac and pre-amp units, all of which can be relatively small.

 

[vinniep]

Thanks lovinthehd!

In the case of a streamer + Schiit modius / modi, would there be a requirement for a passive pre-amp or is the volume controlled 100% by the streamer? Those DACs seem to perform well, but have no volume control, so would I need to pair a passive pre-amp to control the volume?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello, I'm looking for a suggestion of a new DAC/Pre-amp to replace my DacMagic Plus.

I have a Krell KST-100, Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus, and two 2.5-way floor standing speakers (2x SEAS W18NX003 in each).

I've always had trouble with the CA DacMagic (would take several attempts to turn on and recognize a signal from USB, optical was better), and it would often output a high-frequency noise instead of music after turning it on. The DAC no longer ever recognizes the bitrate of any signal, and often the input selector doesn't show any selection.

Of course there is the newer CA DACMagic 200m available at $500, but with my history with this device, I'm not eager to take a look their way again.
I've also taken a look at the RME ADI2DACFS, and NAD DAC C-series, but I'm not sure with my setup if I need an integrated amp to replace the Krell as well. My budget would include both the NAD or RME if that's the best move.

Any suggestions for 1-1 DAC replacements for the Cambridge Audio, or is the play to move towards an integrated amp and dac?

That RME unit has a volume control and RME units are top of the line. So that would work for you if all you want is to stream from one source and nothin else. What you really need is a preamp with a DAC. I would keep the Krell and look for a preamp. An audio visual pre/pro would allow you to add a screen and enjoy a wider variety of program. I think you should look seriously at a Marantz 7706.

 

[PENG]

Hello, I'm looking for a suggestion of a new DAC/Pre-amp to replace my DacMagic Plus.

I have a Krell KST-100, Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus, and two 2.5-way floor standing speakers (2x SEAS W18NX003 in each).

I've always had trouble with the CA DacMagic (would take several attempts to turn on and recognize a signal from USB, optical was better), and it would often output a high-frequency noise instead of music after turning it on. The DAC no longer ever recognizes the bitrate of any signal, and often the input selector doesn't show any selection.

Of course there is the newer CA DACMagic 200m available at $500, but with my history with this device, I'm not eager to take a look their way again.
I've also taken a look at the RME ADI2DACFS, and NAD DAC C-series, but I'm not sure with my setup if I need an integrated amp to replace the Krell as well. My budget would include both the NAD or RME if that's the best move.

Any suggestions for 1-1 DAC replacements for the Cambridge Audio, or is the play to move towards an integrated amp and dac?

I would like to suggest that you do your research on ASR about desktop DACs, and pick one that will meet your requirements from their recommended list such as those ranked by THD+N on the following graph:

The E50 is one of the cheapest one I own, and in terms of "sound quality", it sounds as good as anything I have heard and based on specs and measurements it will be far superior than the DAC magic plus.

Yes, many of them do have volume control for direct connection to power amps including your Krell.

Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

There is just no comparison whatsoever. In fact even a $130 E30, or the $150 E30 II will be miles ahead of the DACMagic plus:
Topping E30 DAC Review | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

Topping E30 II DAC Preamp Audio Decoder- 2xAK4493S Hi-Res XMOS XU208 DAC 32Bit/768kHz DSD512 DSD Direct Mode for USB/Coax/Opt Inputs RCA HiFi Stereo Digital Audio Decoder(Black): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

The DACmagic plus is a good desktop dac but it is just getting old and behind time now. It cannot play all the available digital files that most of the $200 ones measured on ASR can.

 

[Eppie]

Some good advice already. For something in a small form factor, the Topping and SMSL DACs are a good option. Most will have both optical and USB inputs and some models do support bluetooth as well. Check for remote control support if you want remote volume and whether you want a headphone jack. Most are under $500.

That is a simple solution for a 2-channel system. The Marantz AV7706 is normally $3200 but is on sale right now on Accessories For Less for $2100 which is a very good deal. Great pre-amp if you want to add more amplifiers and speakers for a surround setup plus you gain more input options. It has optical and coaxial inputs and plenty of HDMI ports but lacks a USB input (as most AVRs do).

 

[lovinthehd]

Some good advice already. For something in a small form factor, the Topping and SMSL DACs are a good option. Most will have both optical and USB inputs and some models do support bluetooth as well. Check for remote control support if you want remote volume and whether you want a headphone jack. Most are under $500.

That is a simple solution for a 2-channel system. The Marantz AV7706 is normally $3200 but is on sale right now on Accessories For Less for $2100 which is a very good deal. Great pre-amp if you want to add more amplifiers and speakers for a surround setup plus you gain more input options. It has optical and coaxial inputs and plenty of HDMI ports but lacks a USB input (as most AVRs do).

Just a slight correction...IME most avrs have USB input, just limited as to what they work with (generally only something like an iPod or mass storage drives). Even that Marantz pre-pro does have that type of usb.....

 

[Eppie]

Just a slight correction...IME most avrs have USB input, just limited as to what they work with (generally only something like an iPod or mass storage drives). Even that Marantz pre-pro does have that type of usb.....

I was thinking in terms of USB inputs on DACs which can stream from a PC. As you mentioned, most AVRs just recognize mass storage devices and if the op wanted a USB input on a DAC, the USB connection on an AVR would not likely have the same utility.

 

[lovinthehd]

I was thinking in terms of USB inputs on DACs which can stream from a PC. As you mentioned, most AVRs just recognize mass storage devices and if the op wanted a USB input on a DAC, the USB connection on an AVR would not likely have the same utility.

Not quite as useful as a usb port on a dac generally..but thought I'd bring it up in case he did go the avr/pre-pro route and saw that the unit indeed had usb ports....