Cambridge Audio's DACMAGIC 200M is THE Desktop Solution!

In this video review, I take a close look at the specs, features, functionality, and sound quality of the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M.
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0:00 Intro
2:01 Specs and Tech
4:35 Functionality
6:06 Sound Quality
7:46 Final Thoughts
#cambridgeaudio #dacmagic #200M

[@mykandrew]

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video! This area is a great place to call out new items you'd like for me to review. If you like the content please subscribe here: kzbin.info

[@michaelwright1602]

It sounds similar to my experience with the Cambridge CXN V2. I found the listening experience to be very fatiguing. I have this same issue with every delta sigma DAC I have owned. The Ares II was the game changer, or should I say the R2R architecture was the game changer. Folks really need to experience an R2R DAC, the Cayin RU6 is an affordable way to do just that at $250. I would recommend folks do this if they are suffering from fatigue or tired of the Uber detail and digital sound of most modern gear. Just my .02

[@remi2206]

One thing i like about your channel is that you focus on Cds players and Dacs amongst other things people like me that got back to buying cds appreciate that👍

[@mykandrew]

That's good because the next review is another CD Player 😉 Thank you for your support

[@NoEscape459]

Solid review. Never watched the channel before. New sub! Look forward to checking out some more of your content

[@thisisnev]

Switched headphone sockets! Whatever next? As featured on most entry-level amps 40+ years ago...!

[@joepokro4824]

Nice review! I would imagine that the mellow bass you were describing is by design. That when paired with Cambridge amps that the bass is just right, clean with some punch. As most of there amps are known to have some heft and warmth in the lower region.

[@robinr5787]

First video I have seen from you, and a nice one! Will look for more, so for now subscribed. Think the Pro-ject dac box ds2 ultra is a direct contender for this one, any experience or thoughts about that one? Regards

[@mykandrew]

Awesome I am glad you checked it out. I haven't yet heard the Pro-Ject, I'll make sure to try and do that soon! Thanks for subscribing, your support is greatly appreciated

[@hi-fihaven2257]

Great review Mike! I am getting one of these for the TV room. Two big pluses for me are the SABRE DAC chips and the ability to stream to it. FYI I just ordered some SACD’s from Music Direct today. 29.99 USD.

[@mykandrew]

Very nice! You will definitely enjoy it

[@joaomontespalma3946]

I have a DACMAGIC 200M connected with a "ifi" power supply and it works! With out any problem, and, even better than with the original.

[@themobileman6895]

Great review.

[@mykandrew]

Thank you!

[@robinkleinsteuber5217]

I like neutral equipment as much as possible as the baseline, but, I also believe in having tone controls/eq controls for the situations where there are; i) many bad recordings, ii) small system peaks that need to be tamed (although these are better accomplished with graphic eq or parametric eq units), and iii) naturally, personal listening biases.

[@mykandrew]

Couldn't agree more

[@timothycooley2455]

HELLO AGAIN MIKE,JUST ORDERED THE MISSION LX CONNECT WIRELESS,849.00,HALF OFF.THE FIVES OR THESE MISSIONS? AFTER LISTENING ONE SET IS BEING RETURNED.WILL LET YOU KNOW WHICH SPEAKER SOUNDS BETTER,TAKE CARE.

[@edmaster3147]

I own a CA200 and use it with a Zenstream input. The standard power plug is not great. Hooked up to a good PSU the CA200 starts to sound much better, yet such a PSU would double the price at least. It then is very enjoyable, which in my opinion is the key factor. I found the slow filter the far best option and DSD 2x playback very nice. In CD quality it is very disappointing, in HiRes it performs better. The CA200 is a good option when the budget is limited, the difference should be found in the neutral, easy sound around the middle. Cambridge had better left away most options, like balanced and headphone, made it a bit more expensive and concentrated on improving the sound. I think it does not lack bass, but bass emphasis, which is a good thing. If you want that, just turn up your sub and make it sound like a BigMac would. Tone controls are the work of the devil and only needed for poor-sounding devices. Cheers.

[@martinpaling1989]

Thanks for the sound and balanced review. Did you find out about the suitability of the ifi power supply? Which ifi unit do you use? Interesting to see you use a Primare CD transport. I have a Primare i35 amp and it is a great piece of kit and I’ve half a mind to add a DD35 CD transport for use with a Linn streamer fitted with their very nice Katalyst dac. My interest in the CA200 is solely as a headphone amp because there is none on any of my equipment.

[@timothycooley2455]

HELLO AGAIN MIKE,WHAT WOULD YOU GAIN OR LOSE USING A 3.5 mm to rca adapter instead of line in rca line input on the fives? That way i can leave turntable connected at all times.Second not 100 % sold on the fives,what would be a step or two upgrade above the fives? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!!!

[@mikepxg6406]

I have one of these and its predecessor the Dacmagic Plus. The Dacmagic 200m Sound is cleaner and tighter than the older plus also 200M has a far superior headphone stage and sound quality with my Sennheiser HD 600s. If headphones are not an issue the older dacmagic Plus is warmer sounding. My main source is FLAC Files from Apple M1Mac Mini and JRiver Media 28 software. By the way everything sounds better from the MAC M1 than with a PC with same files and same software.???

[@BibhuduttaM]

I would need your advice in setting up a music at home. My choice is Cambridge DacMagic 200 connected to ONKYO TX NR 6100 . Please suggest speakers supporting ONKYO.

[@burghelvasile3313]

Mr. Mike, you have tested the Cambridge magic 200m and you may have also heard the Ifi one zen signature. Maybe you can tell me which of the two would suit the Marantz pm 6006 + Dali Oberon 3 better. Thanks.

[@mykandrew]

My preference is the Cambridge. Just all around great sound.

[@rlwings]

Tone controls are essential. Bass will help to balance room modes and treble will help balance the speaker In an not-so-ideal room setup.... Which is almost everybody. Unfortunately tone controls will degrade the signal somewhat so it's a trade-off.

[@mikepxg6406]

Tone controls are evil. In UK we got over them decades ago.

[@Audiorevue]

Don't you often find though that a big dac is demonstrably better than a small dac. For a long time I was dissatisfied with most of the dacs I had experienced because I realized that they were all small and then I had the opportunity to experience a big dac and I'm talking like it was huge and once you go big you'll never go back. Because truthfully the level and quality of pleasure I receive from a big dac versus a small dac is worth the price of admission.

[@mykandrew]

I could imagine there is a lot more going on within a bigger DAC. I'll have to look into it.

[@edmaster3147]

@@mykandrew If you take the CA 200 out of its case and just rest it on some plastic standoffs about 3cm high, don't feed it from a computer but a dedicated bridge, use some more decent cables and an very quiet PSU it starts to sound like a 1000€ DAC.

[@cenkisil574]

Hey. Could Chord Mojo 2 be a candidate for a similar-ish priced dac with a different sound?

[@mykandrew]

Possibly, however if I went Chord I would start at the Qutest and go up from there.

[@New-England-HiFi-Guy]

Yes. Love my Mojo. Best sounding g dac I e had. Highly recommend and I use it as my mai dac for my HiFi setup.

[@cenkisil574]

@@New-England-HiFi-Guy the Mojo II? is the new eq really useful?

[@New-England-HiFi-Guy]

@@cenkisil574 I own the original Mojo.

[@timothycooley2455]

hello,MIKE,can i output using the rca outs on the CAMBRIDGE AUDIO 200 M TO THE RCA LINE INPUTS ON THE KLIPSCH THE FIVES WHEN USING MY AUDIOLAB 6000 CDT?? AM I BYPASSNG THE INTERNAL DAC OF THE FIVES BY DOING THIS??

[@mykandrew]

Yes, you would take the RCA output from the 200M and plug it into the Five's RCA inputs. That way you are using the 200M as the DAC. It's exactly what I use now with my SVS Powered Speakers.

[@timothycooley2455]

@@mykandrew THANKS MIKE,KLIPSCH SAID NO WAY TO DO IT.APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. ALSO,WHY IS SVS TAKING SO LONG WITH PRIME WIRELESS PRO??

[@eddietours3728]

pretty good DAC

[@mykandrew]

I enjoyed it!.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

Does it prevent the speakers from popping when turning on PC?

[@mykandrew]

What speakers are you using? How do you have them plugged in now? What cables do you use? What type of PC rig are you running. Anytime you get popping like that when powering on your PC it could be a hardware issue or something as simple as a cable.

[@israelescamilla6527]

Topping EX5 MQA vs Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 200M?

[@mykandrew]

That is a tough one, I haven't heard the EX5 however I hear really nice things....

[@philipslighting8240]

British Audio equipment always sounds right. Tha 200M is perfect not boomy like US American products.

[@tomasmartinsolis9020]

It depende if you are going to listen to analogue sound or if you want to play stream music, anyway make sure its not made in China. To be honest I prefer old models of this brand or the aura evolution va100mk II which are less complex and they develop a much better sound quality

[@Rock-Pirate]

If you purchase a good CD player, there is no need for a separate DAC. They are a solution to a non-existent problem.

[@mykandrew]

Normally I would disagree, however after listening to the Lyngdorf CD-2 I am currently reviewing you are 100% correct.

[@califmike2003]

Headphone amp sound ????????????

[@mykandrew]

Fantastic, I use it daily on my desktop.

[@mykandrew]

PS. next time, one question mark will suffice. 12 is a bit aggressive 🤣 🤣

[@crate718]

no dac has a tone lol it is clean sound man. audiophiles are not Musicians and the things you guys say is really silly

[@mykandrew]

We will have to agree to disagree. When you have tested enough of them, well, enough of everything there is a difference. I do wish I had your mindset because I would be happy with just about anything. Either way I appreciate the feedback

[@crate718]

@@mykandrew headphones is what gives you the tone and sound stage the slam or what ever you want to call it. Think about it if the dac had a tone it wouldn’t be good for music editing. This reminds me of people debating if electric guitars wood makes a difference in sound lol

[@crate718]

@@mykandrew you have to A B them with the same exact volume. You will find that they all sound almost exactly the same as.

[@Dr.reese_UBR3]

Is the headphone output balanced?