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Tweakers' Asylum Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ. |
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Tweakers' Asylum Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ. |
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In Reply to: My new DacMagic PS posted by eduardoo on February 23, 2009 at 00:09:34:
The new toroid PS has been in the system for 2 days now. At first, I had to "steal" the Nanotech 301 power cable from my phono stage as the S/A Lab (a Japanese brand) that I intended to use was too stiff to be routed correctly. Eventually, I did find a way to route the S/A Lab cable and I therefore was also able to compare the two cables' effects on the Dacmagic.
My original feeling about the PS remains intact. The new PS has given the Dacmagic better stability and a much bigger dynamic envelope. Voice and instrument textures sound finer and more tactile. With the old PS and playing high res (24/48) flacs, I always felt that while the detail content is quite obviously better than 16/44 counterparts, the sound seems to be somewhat constrained as if there is some invisible shelter blocking the sound from blooming. With the new PS, things have improved a lot and high res flacs now sound really good. Comparing the two cables, the Nanotech (with Oyaide 079 plug) has a finer treble and a more open sound, but I find that it was a touch bright for my tastes with the lower treble/upper mids being a little emphasized. It could be that its bass, while dynamic, was not "big" sounding. This is kind of my impression with most first generation Nanotech cables (the Nano3 series seems to have improved on this front. I have both versions of the interconnects). The unwieldy S/A Lab cable (with Oyaide 046 plugs), while arguably less open and transparent, has better body and sounded "right". Furthermore, I have little interest in going through the ordeal of rerouting this snake, so it will probably be staying there. So far, I am more than happy with this little new PS and I find little point in spending more money in tweaking the humble Dacmagic.
Base of advices that a linear PS will do better for the Squeezebox Duet (even if I am using digital out only), I bought a generic regulated 9VDC 1A linear PS (size of a hand) for the SB Duet for about US$15. At first listen, the sounds seem less detailed. However, a couple of tracks down the road, I found that it was in no way less detailed. In fact, I am hearing more air, nuance and soundstage. It was simply less digital sounding(or is it less "switching"?). If you have a SB Duet, I think this tweak should be a no-brainer. I have a feeling that the difference at the analog out would be even more obvious.
In conclusion, the two little PS significantly improved the sound of the Dacmagic and SB Duet, and the combo, which is already amazing for the price to begin with, has ascended to another level. No, it is still not a match for my Esoteric CD player, but it represents a source component that I can happily listen to. I would equate it with a $2.5k CD player. Definitely money well spent. However, for those of you who don't have a fancy power cable with Oyaide plugs sitting around, spending so much money on the power cable with this humble combo would be kind of unreasonable.
Happy Listening!
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Follow Ups
- Further thoughts (review) on my new DacMagic PS... and another PS - eduardoo 02/25/0917:59:31 02/25/09 (0)
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