Gone are the days of CD being the only way of listening to a new album. Now it comes in a variety of formats, with downloading a popular choice. Your computer is perfect for storing music, but with playback, less so. Often the quality of the built-in DACs (Digital to Analogue Convertor) and headphone amplifiers leave a lot to be desired, failing to reproduce your music with the soul and character as intended by the artist. The Cambridge DacMagic XS V2 is the answer.
What you say may be true about budget androids but that's not a fair comparison. It you compare with the flagship android phones they will at least be on a par.
spacedog
8 Sep 16#29
Back to full price now
marsh102
5 Sep 16#28
Would it be worth it to use with a phone using Spotify premium (320kbps?), OTG and some £50 AKG headphones?
matlock67
5 Sep 16#27
Ah_heng, that's my point.
Not really usable with a phone and used as a portable device, due to needing power input.
I'm must admit I only own £60 akg headphones, I play my lossless music via my Denon amp thru my dual concentric tannoy speakers.
I use Chromecast audio to cast to my Cyrus amp
matlock67
5 Sep 16#25
What good is this in reality, most people have cheap headphones and low quality mp3 music, and in reality no use for portable use.
Will be of use with hi end equipment and loss less music
ah_heng to matlock67
5 Sep 16#26
I guess this product is for those "few" who treasured high fidelity music and obviously don't have it in 128 kbps or an earpiece supplied standard from Apple :wink:
retrend
5 Sep 16#24
You can buy powered OTG cables for stuff like that.
ah_heng
4 Sep 16#23
Thanks thanks....
ah_heng
4 Sep 161#21
Can I ask for those who already have one of these, does it really makes a lot of difference?
Thanks... Just need another push for the trigger :smiley:
I used Onkyo HF for android and you have to change the settings to accept the usb cable as the output. Finally make sure your dacmagic is set to usb 2 (see the card in the box). Not sure about volumes as I didn't test that too much with wife watching Holby next to me...
flowerhearts
31 Aug 16#19
It is true that iPhones have decent dacs but the CA dac magic is also a headphone amplifier. I've seen people using it with audiophile grade headphones such as sennheiser momentum.
Thats funny im pretty certain all iphones are renowned for already having a Proper dedicated DAC as they always have competed with fairly decent MP3 players/ipod etc review wise unlike most Android phones which just sound like trash.
mudds
30 Aug 16#15
Got my note 4 working with a otg cable and onkyo HF sounds very good through my Gold ring cans.
GQ Man to mudds
31 Aug 16#17
What exact OTG cable did you use so i take it that the OTG cable plugs into the phone the usb cable plugs into the DAC and the OTG cable and it works automatically self powered etc ? also apparently the headphone amp part is way louder than any MP3 player/phone out there.
flowerhearts
29 Aug 16#14
You will need a OTG cable and maybe a powered hub.
GQ Man
29 Aug 16#13
Ordered for use with my Nexus 6 whilst out & about so how would this be powered in this situation and what cables am i going to need to get etc ?
GQ Man
26 Aug 16#6
Have to say i may have to bite at this as this is always rated #2 just behind the Dragonfly one whenever ive looked into it but at £50 its an incredibly good deal anyone know what are the differences between this and the V1 ? as i cant seem to find a review of this V2 think it may not of long come out.
storedab to GQ Man
27 Aug 161#12
Says on the CA site here that the V2 has different colour finishes, nothing else.
fzurro
27 Aug 16#11
awaynfrom the uk but to good to be missed. ordered too. thanks OP. I'll use it on my phone too. a flex 2 with MM.
mudds
27 Aug 16#10
No worries I'll let you know how I get on when I receive mine. Have ordered an otg from amazon not the transcend one though.
I need to try and find some other OTG cables in the house but that will be difficult due to refurbishments...
MarineRX179
26 Aug 161#8
I have (or should I say had...as I lost it T^T) the V1 and I was using with my Sony Xperia Z Ultra all the time. It didn't work with the phone initially, but once Android got to the point of being updated to 5.0 it worked. Also since RS has 30 days money back offer for this DAC, so there's literally zero risk as you can buy and try it on your own phone, and if you cannot get it to work you can simply return it for a refund.
mudds
26 Aug 16#3
I might get one for my note 4, can anyone recommend an OTG cable they use for their Note 4 (I know some are hit and miss)
DevilzGtr to mudds
26 Aug 16#4
I've just reserved one to pick up later. I will be testing it on a Note 4
Lanius to mudds
26 Aug 16#7
Did a bit of research and apparently it doesn't work with phones as it's USB powered. Maybe the V2 fixes that but better look into it.
mudds
26 Aug 16#5
Lovely let me know how you get on... will compare notes, I've ordered myself and have downloaded Onkyo HF to use once I order an OTG cable.
SaltyCDogg
26 Aug 161#2
I'm using one of these with my old vinyl collection and wireless headphones and it's superb!
ShootistUK
26 Aug 16#1
Good portable DAC - perfect for those wishing to dip their toes into trying one of these units. Thanks OP
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Opening post
I made a short YouTube video to show how to use this device with iPhone
https://youtu.be/uh2BeVtXcsQ
Features from sellers page
Your music, your way
Gone are the days of CD being the only way of listening to a new album. Now it comes in a variety of formats, with downloading a popular choice. Your computer is perfect for storing music, but with playback, less so. Often the quality of the built-in DACs (Digital to Analogue Convertor) and headphone amplifiers leave a lot to be desired, failing to reproduce your music with the soul and character as intended by the artist. The Cambridge DacMagic XS V2 is the answer.
Currently in-store only.
- Agharta
Latest comments (30)
What you say may be true about budget androids but that's not a fair comparison. It you compare with the flagship android phones they will at least be on a par.
Not really usable with a phone and used as a portable device, due to needing power input.
I'm must admit I only own £60 akg headphones, I play my lossless music via my Denon amp thru my dual concentric tannoy speakers.
I use Chromecast audio to cast to my Cyrus amp
Will be of use with hi end equipment and loss less music
Thanks... Just need another push for the trigger :smiley:
I used Onkyo HF for android and you have to change the settings to accept the usb cable as the output. Finally make sure your dacmagic is set to usb 2 (see the card in the box). Not sure about volumes as I didn't test that too much with wife watching Holby next to me...
https://youtu.be/uh2BeVtXcsQ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KOJCKVY
I need to try and find some other OTG cables in the house but that will be difficult due to refurbishments...