Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

Item 7 of 15

€ 599,⁰⁰ (including VAT)

Overview

Overview: The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M is a desktop digital-to-analog converter featuring a USB (type-B) digital audio input, and dual Optical (Toslink) and Coaxial (RCA) digital inputs. The DacMagic 200M is the first product from Cambridge Audio to support MQA, delivering studio-quality sound. It can convert digital audio files up to 32-bit/768kHz or DSD 512. The unit is also Roon Ready. The DacMagic 200M also has Bluetooth 4.2 so you can listen to music files from your smartphone or tablet. Balanced and unbalanced outputs send the analog signal to your home's integrated amplifier or A/V receiver, plus a 1/4" front panel headphone output lets you listen in private.

Chassis: The DacMagic 200M features a compact steel and aluminum chassis that measures 8-1/2" (w) x 2-1/4" (h) x 9-1/2" (d)(including connectors), so it doesn't take up too much room. The unit weighs 2.718 pounds.

DACs: The DacMagic 200M is equipped with dual ESS ES9028Q2M digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to provide exceptional sound quality.

Inputs: The unit has the following digital audio inputs:

USB Type B: The USB input lets you connect your PC (Windows OS 10 and newer) or Mac (OSX 11.0 [Big Sur] and newer) for converting your digital audio files. Windows-based PCs require a Cambridge Audio USB driver to be installed before connecting. The USB input supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM, Native DSD 64x to 512x, and DoP (DSD over PCM) 64x to 256x.
Digital Inputs 1 and 2: Both digital inputs give you the choice of an optical (Toslink) and coaxial (RCA) jack for connecting CD players, game consoles, laptops, and other digital audio sources. The optical inputs support up to 24-bit/96kHz PCM and DoP64. The coaxial inputs support up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DoP64. (Note: Only one coaxial or optical cable should be connected to each digital input.)
Bluetooth: In addition to the wired inputs, the DacMagic 200M is equipped with Bluetooth (Version 4.2) with support for A2DP profile, as well as SBC, and aptX codecs. You can wirelessly receive Bluetooth audio from most smartphones, tablets, and laptops. A short Bluetooth antenna is provided, and connects to the rear panel.

Master Quality Authenticated (MQA): The DacMagic 200M includes full decoding MQA technology (Core + Renderer), which allows you to play back MQA audio files and streams and listen to audio that is the quality of the original master recording. Audio streaming services such as TIDAL uses MQA technology to stream master-quality audio to their subscribers. The front panel LED glows blue to indicate you are playing an approved or verified MQA Studio file. The LED glows green to confirm you are playing and decoding an MQA music file. If the LED glows magenta, the unit is rendering an MQA file or stream, delivering the final unfold of the MQA file.

Outputs: The DacMagic 200M features balanced and unbalanced outputs on the rear panel. The balanced outputs have XLR connectors, and are better at rejecting noise and interference, especially in long cable runs to an XLR equipped amplifier or receiver. The unbalanced outputs feature RCA connectors. It is possible to use both the balanced and unbalanced outputs at the same time, allowing you to connect the DAC to different amplifiers or powered speakers simultaneously. The XLR and RCA outputs can be set to a fixed output (not controllable by the DAC's volume knob) or a variable output (controllable by the volume knob).

Headphone Output: The DAC's front panel has a 1/4" (6.3mm) unbalanced headphone jack. The headphone output is always variable, regardless of the XLR/RCA output setting.

Power Requirements: The DacMagic 200M is powered by the supplied AC power adapter with an output of 12V DC / 2A. The AC adapter is separate from the DAC to further improve sound quality. Three AC plug inserts are provided for the power adapter, allowing you to use the DAC in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The Input is rated at 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz, 0.75A.

Auto Power Down (APD): The unit will automatically power down and switch to standby mode after 20 minutes of inactivity. You can turn APD on or off by pressing the Volume Knob for 5 seconds (Off) or 10 seconds (On).

Controls

Standby/On: The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M's front-panel Standby/On button turns the unit On or Off. When in Standby (Off) mode, the unit draws less than 1-watt.

Source Button: The DacMagic 200M features a front-panel Source button. You can press this button to cycle through the DAC's four inputs: USB, Digital Input 1 (D1), Digital Input 2 (D2), and Bluetooth. The corresponding LED will light up to show which source you have selected.

Volume: The unit has a large rotary digital volume knob.

Filter: The DacMagic 200M's Digital Filter button lets you cycle through the three available filter modes, each with a different sonic signature:

Fast: The Fast setting is designed to provide a very clean sound spectrum, and minimize extraneous noise by using a sharp linear phase filter. This setting is suggested as a default, but you should try all settings to see which best suits the acoustics of the room.
Slow: The Slow setting lowers phase distortion and improves temporal characteristics by reducing pre- and post-impulse ringing. The Anti-Aliasing effect is less effect in this setting.
Short Delay: The Short Delay setting features excellent Anti-Aliasing filtering, and minimizes pre-impulse ringing while providing a quick temporal response. Minor phase distortion may be slightly higher at this setting.

Sample Rate LEDs: When a digital stream is input, the corresponding LED of the incoming digital sampling frequency will light up. LEDs are provided for 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz and 768kHz. When playing DSD or PoP streams are detected the DSD LED will light up, along with the relevant 64x, 128x, 256x, or 512x LED. There is a single MQA LED that will glow in green (MQA), blue (for MQA Studio), or magenta (MQA rendering).

Ground/Lift Switch: The DacMagic 200M features a rear-panel Ground/Lift switch. The Ground position is the default position, and the DAC and the USB host use a common ground for the highest link reliability. The Lift position can be used if an electronic hum is heard through the speakers.

Specifications

Line Outputs:

Frequency Response: 10Hz to 50kHz (+/-1dB)
THD+N (1kHz 0dBFS): <0.005% (A-weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >115dB (A-weighted)
Crosstalk (at 10kHz): < -110dB
Output Impedance: <50 ohms (unbalanced); <100 ohms (balanced)
Maximum Output Level (Fixed or variable): 2.1V rms (unbalanced), 4.2V rms (balanced)

Headphone Output: