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Dac Magic / Music Hall Dac25.2 / Digital Link III

Hey Everyone.

I'm going to be spending up to $700 on a DAC, and would love some input. I've done research throughout my evening, but want some tailored advice. My system will be the following:

Airport Express / Mac Mini -> DAC of Choice -> Cambridge 840A V2 -> Statement Monitor Speakers (http://www.geocities.com/cc00541/Statements_Monitor.html)

I'm really looking for sound stage, articulation, and depth without loosing any detail. I'm not opposed to upgrading any of the amplifiers with new components, and I'm considering going with an upgrade package of the Music Hall Dac25.2 from Affordable Audio (http://affordableaudio.biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=400)

Thanks for any input, this is a tough call!!

Russ
avdweeb
2 responses Add your response
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I just did a ton of homework on this. It appears that the Peachtree Decco 2 has an amazing DAC. For $799 you could get away with selling the 840A?

I have an upgraded Music Hall CD player and both Rega Apollo and Cambridge 840c beat it in most aspects. The Dac Magic and 25.2 probably won't be any better.

The DL III should be quite nice.
sugith
39 posts
 
Getting an original Peachtree Decco for my office system convinced me that adding a DAC to my main system which was being fed by an Apple TV streaming Apple Lossless files was the way to go. I opted for a Dac Magic because it has multiple inputs and a digital pass thru so you can listen to music via analog outputs and pass thru a movie soundtrack to the decoder in a preamp to get the digital surround.

The Decco, the new Nova and the Decco2 have good DACs if you want to replace your current amp, but the DacMagic gives you almost as good a DAC with some flexibility as well, for less money.

I don't think you can make a mistake with either.
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