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Cambridge Audio DAC Magic XS USB DAC/headphone amplifier

Item # 779DACMGXH

Whether you're into MP3s, Internet radio, online streaming services, or even high-res music files, here's a...

Whether you're into MP3s, Internet radio, online streaming services, or even high-res music files, here's a...

2 questions - 5 answers

Item # 779DACMGXH

Shop all Cambridge Audio DACs

About the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic XS

Dave Bar

A pocketful of magic for your music

Whether you're into MP3s, Internet radio, online streaming services, or even high-res music files, here's a fantastic way to improve the sound quality coming from your computer. Just plug Cambridge Audio's DacMagic XS digital-to-analog converter into an open USB port on your PC or Mac®, then connect it to your headphones, powered speakers, or home audio system. This tiny, pocket-sized DAC bypasses the sound card inside your computer, and magically transforms those cold hard zeroes and ones into warm, organic sound. You'll instantly hear your music with greater detail and clarity, plus a real sense of scale and presence.
Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS connected to a laptop computer

A pocketful of magic for your music

Whether you're into MP3s, Internet radio, online streaming services, or even high-res music files, here's a fantastic way to improve the sound quality coming from your computer. Just plug Cambridge Audio's DacMagic XS digital-to-analog converter into an open USB port on your PC or Mac®, then connect it to your headphones, powered speakers, or home audio system. This tiny, pocket-sized DAC bypasses the sound card inside your computer, and magically transforms those cold hard zeroes and ones into warm, organic sound. You'll instantly hear your music with greater detail and clarity, plus a real sense of scale and presence.

There's technical wizardry on the inside

The DacMagic XS comes packed with high-tech engineering designed to extract better sound from your digital music sources. Its audiophile-grade ESS Sabre™ DAC provides superb resolution that really brings out the best in your tunes, for a truly engaging listening experience. This DAC also reduces "jitter" — timing errors in the digital data stream that can make your music sound harsh and edgy — by using its own separate, or "asynchronous," clock to precisely control the timing of the data rate from your computer. You'll hear a stunning improvement in low-level ambience, along with a wider, deeper soundstage.


High-res audio

Explore high-resolution audio

Along with all the sonic benefits the DacMagic XS provides for your compressed and CD-quality music files, it also has another trick up its sleeve — it decodes high-resolution data streams with up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, so you can enjoy better-than-CD audio quality (Free USB driver download required for Windows® PCs.). If you download high-res music files from HDtracks and other audiophile sources, this DAC will ensure that you hear them in all their glory.

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Product highlights:

  • ESS Sabre™ ES9023 digital-to-analog converter supports sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz for listening to high-resolution digital music sources
  • asynchronous USB technology for reduced timing jitter and better sound with computer audio sources
  • micro USB input for connection to a computer (USB adapter cable included)
  • powered by USB connection — no need for external power supply
  • built-in 53-step analog volume control
  • 3.5mm stereo minijack provides variable-level headphone and line-level output
  • minimum recommended headphone impedance: 12 ohms
  • LED sample rate indicator helps verify source sample rate
  • brushed aluminum case for added durability
  • supported incoming sample rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz
  • input bit depth: 16 bit, 24 bit
  • compatible with Mac® and PC
  • dedicated Cambridge Audio USB Audio 2.0 Windows driver required for 24-bit/176.4kHz and 24-bit/192kHz playback on a PC (free USB driver download available from Cambridge Audio website)
  • soft carrying pouch and micro USB (type-B) to USB (type-A) cable included
  • 1-1/4"W x 7/16"H x 2-13/16"D
  • warranty: 2 years
  • MFR # CAMBDACMAGXS - BL

What's in the box:

  • USB DAC/Headphone Amp
  • 6" microUSB-to-USB cable
  • Cloth pouch
  • "Thank You" note

Customer reviews for Cambridge Audio DAC Magic XS

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More details on the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic XS

Mark G.

Product Research

Features

USB DAC/Headphone Amp: The DacMagic XS USB DAC/Headphone Amp instantly upgrades your computer's sound output. It connects quickly and easily to a free USB (type-A) port on your laptop or desktop computer and allows you to hear your favorite music and movies with clarity and detail, as the artist intended. This portable USB DAC/Headphone Amp is easy to use and small enough to be carried around the home, to the office, or on vacation; anywhere you take your laptop.

ESS 9023 24-Bit DAC: The DacMagic XS uses a high quality ESS9023 24-bit DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) to provide far superior sound than your computer's soundcard would ever be capable of. The built-in DAC dramatically improves the sound quality of your computer's digital audio; including low-resolution and high resolution music files, plus online streaming services, movies, TV shows, and games.

Asynchronous USB Port (Class 1/Class 2): The DacMagic XS features a microUSB (type-B) port and includes a microUSB-to-USB cable to connect to a free USB (type-A) port on your computer or laptop. Featuring asynchronous USB audio clocking, and supporting both USB Class 1 and USB Class 2, the DacMagic XS can be used to play everything from MP3 to the highest quality 24-bit/192kHz studio master recordings from your computer, free from unwanted noise, jitter and distortion.

  • Class 1 Mode: You will be able to improve the sound from your computer by using the DacMagic XS in its default USB Class 1.0 mode. Instead of connecting your headphones or 3.5mm cable directly to your computer, you will instead be connecting them to the DacMagic XS. By doing this, you are bypassing the computer's own internal soundcard and allowing the DacMagic XS to perform the Digital to Analog conversion in far higher quality, resulting in a much better sound.
  • Class 2 Mode:  To improve the sound even further, it is possible to use the DacMagic XS in USB Class 2.0 mode. When running in Class 2 mode, the DacMagic XS can also use Cambridge Audio's dedicated Windows USB Class 2 USB driver (driver not required for Apple computers). This allows you to bypass the computer operating system's poor audio path, preventing unwanted interference and re-sampling, guaranteeing a professional quality audio output.
Note: The DacMagic XS USB DAC/Headphone Amp is powered by your computer's USB port; no need for AC outlet or extra connections.

Computer Compatibility: The DacMagic XS USB DAC/Headphone Amp is compatible with Windows PCs (XP/Vista/7/8) and Mac computers (Mac OS-X 10. Snow Leopard +). Windows USB Class 2 USB driver required for Windows PC when device is in Class 2.0 mode.

Supported Sampling Rates: The DacMagic XS supports a variety of low-resolution music files (like MP3 or WMA), and high resolution music files (like FLAC or WAV) with various sampling/bit rates. A single LED indicates the incoming sample rate by variable color.

  • USB 1.0 Mode: 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz 
  • USB 2.0 Mode: 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz

Headphone Amp: The DACMagic XS is fitted with a gold-plated 3.5mm headphone jack that has a 150mw maximum power output and 12-ohm minimum headphone impedance; that is 10x the power of most computer headphone outputs. The headphone jack lets you connect a set of headphones for private listening of your laptop's digital music files; or connect to your home audio system, so you can enjoy your computer's digital music library from your stereo speakers.

Analog Volume Control: The DacMagic XS features a finger-tip analog volume control (53-steps) that fully bypasses the soundcard and volume control of your computer. Not only does this improve sound quality, but also means no more combinations of button presses with two hands, or several mouse clicks to change volume.

Compact Aluminum Casing: The 1.25" (w) x 0.4375" (h) x 2.125" (d) brushed aluminum case weighs a mere 3.5 oz, protects the electronics from shock or damage, and minimizes undesirable interference.

Specifications:

  • Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz (+/-2dB)
  • THD: <0.004%
  • SNR: 103 dBr (unweighted)
  • Crosstalk: 66dB
  • Output Impedance: 0.5 ohms
  • Output Voltage: 2V RMS

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Customer Q&A

2 questions already asked

Q
Hello can I use this with iPad Air 2 ?
david  Sep 10, 2015
4 answers
A
You should have no problems with the Momentum 2.0 Wireless headphones. You will pair the device as an audio output device via Bluetooth, which is just casual bluetooth pairing. I have never had a problem with the audio streaming (via bluetooth) with iOS, but I have had nothing but problems with OS X with and version greater than 10.9.5, ALthough recently the new OS 'El Capitan' version (which is in beta at this time of posting) works reasonably well. The audio streaming now works (is no longer 'choppy'), but I did seem to lose playback controls. I like this headphones, but they have caused me a lot of frustration, which I put most the blame on Apple's operating system OS X.
michael  Sep 11, 2015
A
You will need a USB adapter for it to work
roxine  Sep 11, 2015
A
I do not believe that this product will work with an iPad because there is not USB port to attach it.
jeffrey  Sep 11, 2015
A
I believe it is only a USB interface.
robert  Sep 11, 2015
Q
Hello I am considering buying this product but I have one question. Can I connect it between my iPhone 5S (source) and my B&W P7? (this is my primary use) , I would rarely be using this product with my MAC as a source. Thanks in advance
manny  Jan 16, 2014
1 answer
A
We have not received any answers from other customers on your question. I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They should be able to help answer your question.
jeff  Jan 19, 2014 (Staff)

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