Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital-to-Audio Converter and Preamplifier with Bluetooth aptX

Product Information

Digital audio is brilliant, but it needs to be analog audio before you can hear it. And the way it ends up sounding depends entirely on how you convert the digital audio files stored on your computer, on CD, or from your favorite streaming service. DacMagic 200M performs the digital-to-analog conversion perfectly every time, letting all kinds of audio systems sound better than ever before.

Studio Quality Audio

DacMagic 200M is Cambridge Audio’s first product to support MQA. MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers studio-quality sound in a file small enough to stream. TIDAL, for instance, uses MQA technology to deliver master-quality sound in their Hi-Fi membership. Cambridge Audio’s DacMagic 200M can fully decode and playback MQA files, so they sound exactly like the original studio recording.

On the product, look out for the blue MQA indicator. This indicates you are playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist or producer or has been verified by the copyright owner. The green indicator is confirmation you are playing and decoding an MQA music file.

Powerful Processing

At the heart of the DacMagic 200M is a pair of extremely high-quality ESS Sabre digital-to-analogue converters. They handle digital audio files up to 32bit/768kHz or DSD512, so they can deal with digital music of any kind stored on CDs, smartphones, computers - or anywhere else, for that matter. Once a digital file is onboard DacMagic 200M, its twin DACs convert it to analog information with all of its dynamics and detail intact. And because the analog signal it sends to your audio, set-up is so astonishingly free of distortion, so precise and so lifelike, your system will sound more convincing and complete than it ever has before.

Well Connected

It’s possible to get digital audio files into DacMagic 200M in any number of ways. Digital optical, digital coaxial and USB inputs mean CD players, games consoles, laptops or any other digital equipment can be easily hooked up - and Bluetooth aptX reception means it’s just as straightforward to wirelessly deliver files from your smartphone or tablet too.

DacMagic 200M has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, so can be easily connected to audio systems of all types, and switchable filters to give you different sonic options. And as well as its ability to deliver stunning sound to your speakers, it has a high-quality headphone amplifier with 6.3mm output on board too. So you can enjoy DacMagic 200M’s thrilling sound quality in private – at whatever volume you like.

Easy Integration

Despite the incredible number of features, the extensive functionality, and the extraordinary technology onboard the DacMagic 200M, Cambridge Audio has managed to fit it all into a beautifully built, flawlessly finished steel and aluminum box measuring just 52 x 215 x 191mm.

This means it will fit neatly and discreetly into any existing audio set-up without taking up loads of room or drawing too much attention to itself. All that’s required is a balanced or unbalanced connection to your system (and some mains power, of course) for DacMagic 200M to deliver you a sonic upgrade that’s way bigger than the box it comes from.

Specifications

Digital-to-Analog Converters: Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs
Digital Filter: Selectable, fast – slow – short delay
Frequency Response: 10hz to 50khz (±1db)
THD+N @ 1kHZ 0DBFS: <0.0005% (a-weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >115db (a-weighted)
Crosstalk @ 10kHZ: < -110db
Output Impedance: <50 ohms (unbal), <100 ohm (ball)
Max. Output level (unbalanced): 2.1v rms (fixed or variable – user selectable)
Max. Output level (balanced): 4.2v rms (fixed or variable – user selectable)
Digital input word widths supported: 16bit (bluetooth), 16-24bit (optical, coaxial), 16-32bit (USB)
Digital input sampling frequencies supported: 44.1khz to 96khz pcm, dop64 (optical), 44.1khz to 192khz pcm, dop64 (coaxial), 44.1khz to 768khz pcm, native dsd 64x to 512x, dop 64x to 256x (USB)
MQA Compatibility: Full decoding (core + renderer)
Bluetooth: V4.2, a2dp profile, sbc and aptx codecs
Headphone Output THD+N: < 0.001% at 1khz 0dbfs @ 100mw into 32ohm
Headphone output s/n: > 115db (a-weighted)
Max output power: >300mw @ 32ohm, >65mw @ 150ohm
Frequency response: 10hz - 50khz (±1db)
Recommend headphone impedance: 10 ohm to 600 ohm
Max power consumption: 12w
Color: Lunar grey
Dimensions (W x H x D): 8.6" x 2" x 7.6”
Weight: 2.6lbs

What's in the Box

DacMagic 200M Digital-to-Audio Converter and Preamplifier with Bluetooth aptX
12V Power Supply
Bluetooth Antenna
Quick Start Guide
Safety Instructions

Reviews

Customer Reviews for Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital-to-Audio Converter and Preamplifier with Bluetooth aptX

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4.5 / 5.0

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Rated 4 out of 5

Great sounding multifunction DAC , be aware some optical outs on tv may have audio drops on this Dac because of the quality of signal from the tv.

I received the DacMagic 200m well packaged and good condition, and quickly good job world wide stereo.
Performance wise the DacMagic is a winner great sound quality from all inputs, BT worked great with the best Bluetooth performance I ever had.
Cd and SACD also excellent.
The only problem is the unit does not play well with optical out from an LG tv, this is not DacMagic issue but one with LG tv the audio drop outs occurred with other Dacs also connected to the new LG tv.
Otherwise the DacMagic is a keeper, maybe enjoy it more when a different brand tv is connected.

Added Dec 8, 2021

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December 8, 2021

Richard

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1 year ago

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Rated 5 out of 5

Love it

This DAC is worth every dollar! The sound is amazing and the build quality is outstanding! Also…and I can’t overstate this..The folks at World Wide Stereo are the best. I’ve been in plenty of high end stereo stores where they talk down to you or make you feel stupid for asking the basic just starting out questions. Not these guys. They are happy with you getting started and will answer any questions you have without making you feel stupid. They also aren’t pushy and try to over sell you! That part is very important to me. Point is..from a regular guy who’s just really started, I can recommend these folks as being truly invested in you being happy within your budget! Oh..and to prove my point..I drive an hour each way just to buy my equipment there!!!

Jeromie

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July 10, 2021

Jeromie H

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Q&A

Customer Q & A

Have a functionality, compatibility, or otherwise product-specific question about this product? Ask it here! If you have a customer service or shipping question, please direct it to our customer service department

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Why did you choose this?

World Wide Stereo Store

wanted budget dac with bluetooth capability

Debbie C on Sep 21, 2022

This DAC has the necessary functionality and has excellent reviews

Yerzhan B on Jul 3, 2021

wanted budget dac with bluetooth capability

Debbie C on Sep 21, 2022

It was a gift for my son

Kevin F on Nov 19, 2021

This DAC has the necessary functionality and has excellent reviews

Yerzhan B on Jul 3, 2021

Cambridge DAC + MQA = Great Value

Adam E on Mar 3, 2021

It was a gift for my son

Kevin F on Nov 19, 2021

Cambridge DAC + MQA = Great Value

Adam E on Mar 3, 2021

Will the dac in the dacmagic 200m override the dac in my sr 8012?

Joe S on Feb 21, 2021

Thanks for your inquiry. The audio (analog audio) output of the DacMagic would be plugged into an analog input on the Marantz SR8012, bypassing the DAC in the Marantz. Note that a source component like a CD player with a digital output could be plugged into the Marantz and would utilize the Marantz DACs. The DACMagic doesnt have a digital output, just pure analog audio outputs, including balanced outputs if the Marantz was so equipped.

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Inaccurate
Mike K Staff on Mar 4, 2021

i am useing Tidal for my music threw a vintage kenwood kr 9600 and a dell pc. do you think i would benefit from a dac ? and also i have about 60 percent hearing in one ear and good in the other. i get what i think is pretty good sound but when i play a cd on a cd or dvd player the music is louder and seems to hit harder

A shopper on Sep 18, 2023

Thanks for your inquiry. The DacMagic 200M is a superior digital to analog converter and will do a fine job with Tidal. Its output level is greater than the analog output from a computer resulting in the music playing louder more like what you hear from CDs.

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Inaccurate
Mike K Staff on Sep 18, 2023

How does this unit sound compared to the one that its replacing, the Cambridge audio Dacmagic plus?

Steve G on Sep 1, 2021

Thanks for your inquiry. The 200M is using dual ESS 24 bit DACs which is an upgrade from the dual Wolfson DACs in the Magic Plus. Cambridge Audio units offer superb resolution and the 200M has outstanding sound but we have not done a direct side by side comparison.

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Inaccurate
Mike K Staff on Sep 7, 2021

Will my node 2i output MQA to this thru coax out and then be played as MQA from this dac ?

Ted on Jun 12, 2021

Thanks for your inquiry. We contacted Bluesound tech support regarding your question. Their reply:
In this case, this will depend on if the external DAC they are using is MQA certified. Since the digital outputs from the Node 2i (i.e. Optical or Coaxial) will bypass the internal DAC, which is MQA certified. Therefore, if the external DAC is MQA certified, then I would advise going into Settings -> Player -> Audio and turn OFF Tone Controls, turn ON Output Level Fixed, and finally turn ON MQA External DAC.

As a result, the Node 2i will simply send the MQA signal out the digital outputs untouched, and the external MQA certified DAC will handle the 'MQA unfolding' from here.

Also, please be advised that Radio Paradise MQA is exclusive to BluOS. This exclusivity means that the MQA unfold is done by the BluOS Player and cannot be passed to an external DAC via the digital outputs.

The Cambridge Audio DACMagic 200M supports MQA.

Reply(1)
Inaccurate
Mike K Staff on Jun 16, 2021

0

Thanks for your inquiry. We contacted Bluesound tech support regarding your question. Their reply:
In this case, this will depend on if the external DAC they are using is MQA certified. Since the digital outputs from the Node 2i (i.e. Optical or Coaxial) will bypass the internal DAC, which is MQA certified. Therefore, if the external DAC is MQA certified, then I would advise going into Settings -> Player -> Audio and turn OFF Tone Controls, turn ON Output Level Fixed, and finally turn ON MQA External DAC.

As a result, the Node 2i will simply send the MQA signal out the digital outputs untouched, and the external MQA certified DAC will handle the 'MQA unfolding' from here.

Also, please be advised that Radio Paradise MQA is exclusive to BluOS. This exclusivity means that the MQA unfold is done by the BluOS Player and cannot be passed to an external DAC via the digital outputs.

The Cambridge Audio DACMagic 200M supports MQA.

Reply(1)
Inaccurate
Mike K Staff on Jun 16, 2021

Vote for the best answer above!

Tidal mqa files, how does tidal actually work with this unit, how do I use my computer to send tidal into unit? My phone defaults back to hi-fi output if you try blue tooth or cast, either way master goes away.

Scott Towler O on May 6, 2021

Thanks for your inquiry. The DacMagic 200M has full MQA decoding. A digital optical or digital co-ax connection from computer (if so equipped) will provide full MQA decoding. If it has Bluetooth transmit (TX) capability then that could work to the DacMagic.