# Positive
+ Many inputs USB / SPDIF / TOSLINK and optional Bluetooth
+ Great sound
+ 3 DSP filters for different sound qualities
+ Anti Jitter
+ Headphone Amplifier
+ High-quality workmanship
# Negative
- Must be set off after the next use the volume again, because this is not noticed. There are, so to speak, no standby function.
- The brightness of the blue LEDs is borderline.
Altogether 1 star deduction.
# Neutral
* DSP filter can not be deactivated. The original or source signal should be reproduced as purely as possible (can).
* No remote control
# Purchase motivation and decision
I wanted my internal sound card for various reasons to get rid of. First produced my (Asus Xonar Phoebus) really a lot of heat. Secondly, I can this external USB DAC use much more flexible (with all other connection options). I can because sometimes my old old CD player Connecting etc. Thirdly, there is the PC housing many sources of interference which may adversely affect Singnalfluss- or quality. Fourthly, I just wanted a new toy.
Because I have different quality headphones (see below), the DAC should have a built-KHV. Otherwise I would have an additional device - the KHV - buy. Goes ... but I did not. And I thought of 465 for the DacMagic Plus, the KHV should something suck. Unfortunately, I was partially disabused (see below).
I have then looked at some devices and test reports (eg kenrockwell.com/audio/cambridge/dacmagic-plus.htm) read and then I stuck the DAC Magic Plus. Convinced the various inputs (USB and coaxial) and KHV or the precursor with the possibility powered speakers have to join directly on the DAC.
Another reason to buy the attested techn. Measures to avoid jitter. For this, the digital input signal is extrapolated by DSP and ATF2 calculation to 384kHz. That this Antijittermaßnahme affects all inputs.
# Test environment
The most important thing to me, the sound quality of the DAC unit and the Kopfhörerausgang- or amplifier. Also, I do not want to do without THX TruStudio Effects regarding. The Mehrkanalsimlation for headphones in computer games. Therefore, the operation via USB for the latter turns out, as I only use my onboard sound card (Realtek chip) can use THX TruStudio. Almost as a software DSP. So I got on my test SPDIF / coax as bridge between. PC onboard sound and DAC used.
As source serve MP3s with 320kbit / s VBR way down to 192kbit / s with high quality settings.
I test also direct Anscluss a CD player, to test the maximum capacity of KHV.
## Test headphone
* AKG Q701 Quincy Jones Reference Class Premium Headphones - Black 62 Ohm
* Audio Technica ATH-m50x DJ Headphones for Studio 38 Ohm
* Bose AE2 audio headphones, black 32 Ohm
USB I still tried shortly. To this end, I had the DAC Magic plus first manually enable 2.0 mode to USB and even install a driver from Cambridge Audio. Then everything THX TruStudio did not work properly, however. So I vewendete as mentioned SPDIF and THX TruStudio I turned on only in games or Flimen. Music I played through Winamp with WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API) plugin, so that a bit-true transfer of the source material is guaranteed for DAC.
Digression: bit-true transfer via ASIO or WASAPI (in exclusive mode)
ASIO and WASAPI are both ways to bypass the Windows Kernel Mixer, to pass the source material directly and without manipulation of the Sounkartentreiber. This avoids latency / delay and distortion of the music, because the Kernel Mixer changes the digital data stream may slightly and not for good.
I voted for my test WASAPI since my Realtek onboard sound chip does not support ASIO ASIO4ALL and also not working. The Windows output device I set on 24 bit and 192kHz sampling rate. The DAC was then also.
# Sound
We tested the headphones mentioned the built-in headphone amplifier. Compared to my old sound card Asus Phoebus, I felt the sound as calm and level-proof. Unfortunately I do not really good comparison test to this already very good sound card was possible. But I can say the sound is not definitely worse. Subjectively, the 3 times as expensive DAC plays better than the card :)
Especially with the headphones that I use and the high quality source material played all 3 headphones to very good. It was heard no noise, unless it was part of the recording. The test pieces were played with a lot of details and wider stage. Of course, nuances unique to each headset, because of the different properties.
The 3 different filters I can not really notice differences in sound.
# Headphone Amplifier
Since I have only tested with headphones with a maximum of 62Ohm, can not say anything about the power reserves when using a 300ohm listener. The 3 tested by me headphones were well looked after. I could hear no noise. However, I have with headphone amplifiers not have much experience. I'm very satisfied.
NOTE: For Windows may initially give the impression that the KHV does not have enough power because the maximum volume is perceived as too low. This is but the player used or the Windows Mixer. The best way to test a player what a bit-perfect and direct Übtragungsmodus to the sound card provides as WSAPI (exclusive) or ASIO. Then you realize that the KHV for the headphones tested has more than enough power. Alternatively you can simply connect a digital source such as a CD player at the DacMagic to explore the maximum performance of KHV.
# Alternatives
Who the headphone amplifier is not enough, can change over to the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 digital-analog converter black for about 260 (without KHV) and a separate headphone amp. The DacMagic 100 is reportedly not as potent regarding. The digital to analog impulse as the DacMagic Plus, but not much worse. For example, is used only when a DAC chip DacMagic 100. When DacMagic Plus each a DAC chip is used per channel - two in total. Even the DacMagic 100 has no Balanced Ouput and less overall input options.
Supposedly today take DACs not much, because there are everywhere more or less the same circuits / components used. Clear, internal sound cards have the problem that can be influenced rapidly by analog-converted signal by many sources of interference in the PC Hehäuse. Anti Jitter measures make sure even the price, and I fail to see how much one of them really benefited.
## Other DACs with Kophörerverstärker
* NuForce Icon Digital to Analog Converter Audio (USB) Black Only USB input but conveniently about 280. No Balanced Output.
* Teac UD-H01-B digital / analog converter with USB audio interface black for 300 makes an interesting tool with vielvältigen connectivity.
