DacMagic XS Top Tips English single pages - Cambridge Audio

A great little gadget that
will transform the way
your computer sounds
Listening to music on your computer is
brilliant – instant, easy access to all your
digital files and a world of streaming
services, internet radio and video
sites.
But did you know that the
headphone output on a computer
produces extremely poor sound?
Computer manufacturers spend
most of their budget on the screen
and video processor, only leaving a few
dollars to spend on the audio output. For
example, the audio output probably only
cost $4 or $5 on a $1000 laptop, so it’s
not good enough to get the best quality
from your headphones.
The DacMagic XS is an instant
upgrade to any computer’s sound output.
It connects quickly and easily to your
computer’s USB port and allows you to
hear your favourite music, games and
films, exactly as the artist intended.
The DacMagic XS is not just for
audiophiles – if you like to listen to
music online from services such as
Spotify or Pandora, or if you like to listen
to MP3s, watch videos on YouTube,
or even if you’re a gamer, then the
DacMagic XS is for you!
With the DacMagic XS, music,
movies and games played from your
computer have never sounded
better!
Without the DacMagic XS,
you’re missing out on a world
of audio quality.
The inside story
The DacMagic XS is an instant upgrade
to any computer’s headphone output.
You will never realise the depth, clarity
and bass you are missing out on by using
your laptop’s headphone output, until you
try listening through a DacMagic XS...
High quality DAC. The DacMagic XS
uses a a high quality ESS DAC
(Digital to Analogue Converter)
to provide far superior sound
than your computer would ever be
capable of.
Digital audio. The DacMagic XS uses
a single USB connection for
both power and audio. This
single connection minimises
untidy cabling and allows a direct digital
signal to be taken from your computer,
A wealth of technologies
instead of the poor quality sound
of amplification to your headphones,
normally available through a computer’s allowing you to hear bass as it should
soundcard. The DacMagic XS then be, and is also loud and clear enough to
processes the digital audio signal for overcome background noise in places
a much better sound than you would like airports, trains and planes.
normally get from your computer’s
High resolution audio. Most computers
headphone output.
can’t play high resolution
High power. A computer outputs between
audio through their headphone
10 and 20mW of power to
output. Featuring asynchronous
drive your headphones. This USB audio clocking, and supporting
simply isn’t enough to get both USB Class 1 and USB Class 2,
the best quality or performance from the DacMagic XS can be used to play
your headphones, resulting in a loss everything from MP3 to the highest
of bass and clarity. The DacMagic XS quality 24-bit/192kHz studio master
outputs 10 times more power than recordings from your computer, free from
a typical computer! It sends 150mW unwanted noise, jitter and distortion.
www.cambridge-audio.com

Small and stylish, with
a big sound – perfect
at home or on the go!
Instantly connect any computer,
headphones or amplifier...
Simple to use...
● The DacMagic XS has an LED to
indicate incoming sample rates, ensuring
that you always know you’re getting the
best quality, or when you’ve hit maximum
or minimum volume.
Designer’s note
USB input – The DacMagic XS uses a single
USB connection for both power and audio.
This single connection minimises untidy
cabling and allows a direct digital
signal to be taken from your computer
or laptop, instead of the poor quality
sound normally available through a
computer’s soundcard. Simply connect
the DacMagic XS to any available USB
port on your computer and it will process
the digital audio signal for a much better
Max volume
Blink red
Mute
LED Blinking
44.1kHz/48kHz
88.2kHz/96kHz
176.4kHz/192kHz
“DacMagic XS adds no weight or bulk to my
existing laptop bag, but carrying it means
my music sounds so much better through my
headphones. I can hear tiny details and get
a far more emotional, immersive response to
my music.” Daniel, Business Development
sound than you would normally
get from your computer’s
headphone output. There’s even a
Micro USB cable included with the
DacMagic XS.
3.5mm output – 3.5mm headphone
output socket means that the DacMagic
XS isn’t just perfect for headphones; it can
also be used to connect to your hi-fi amplifier, so you can enjoy the
same improvement at home, as well as on the go.
● The DacMagic XS features finger
tip analogue volume control, fully
bypassing the soundcard and
volume control of your computer.
Not only does this improve
sound quality, but also means
no more long combinations of
button presses with two hands,
or several mouse clicks to change
volume. Instead, the DacMagic XS
allows you to quickly and easily change
volume with one finger, at the touch of a button, thanks to its
simple, ergonomic design.
● The DacMagic XS doesn’t stick straight out of your computer’s
USB port, eliminating the risk of straining or accidentally
damaging your computers USB port.
● Smaller than a box of matches, the DacMagic XS is small
enough to be carried in your shirt pocket, and is even fully
powered over USB; ideal for improving your listening experience
wherever you are, in your armchair or on the go.

So many
great uses...
The DacMagic XS’s high quality (digital
to analogue) audio conversion makes
everything sound just as the recording
artist intended.
Wherever, whenever. Your music will
sound incredible however you choose to
listen – the DacMagic XS will improve the
sound of any app or streaming service
like Spotify, Pandora or Skype, as well as
the music stored on your laptop or in the
cloud.
Music, games, films and more. The
DacMagic XS is not only for music fans –
if you like to watch films, play games or
speak to your friends on Skype, then the
DacMagic XS will transform the sound of
all of these too!
Headphones. The DacMagic XS lets
you use your headphones to their full
potential. Even if you’re only using the
free headphones that were supplied with
your iPod, you’ll notice a big improvement
in sound.
In a different class!
High resolution audio – most computers
can’t play high resolution audio
through their headphone output.
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 MP3s
to the highest quality 24-bit/192kHz studio
master recordings from your computer, all
free from unwanted noise, jitter and
distortion.
Class 1 and Class 2 audio – just like
its bigger brother, the award
winning DacMagic Plus, the
DacMagic XS can be switched
into USB Class 2 mode, allowing you to play
everything from MP3 to the highest quality
24-bit/192kHz studio master recordings
straight from your computer.
Dedicated USB driver – when running in
Class 2 mode, the DacMagic XS
can also use Cambridge Audio’s
dedicated Windows USB Class
2 USB driver. 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.
Did you know?
The robust brushed
aluminium chassis not only
looks great, but also protects
the electronics from shock or
damage, and minimises undesirable
interference.
But if you’ve spent your hard earned cash
on better headphones, then don’t waste
them by connecting them to the low quality
output on your computer – drive them
properly with the DacMagic XS!
Subscription services. If you’ve paid for a
better quality music subscription service,
such as Spotify or Pandora, then use the
DacMagic XS to hear what you’re paying
for – don’t settle for the low quality output
from your computer!
Hi-fi at home. The DacMagic XS can be
used with headphones, but can also be
connected directly to your hi-fi amplifier, so
you can enjoy the same improvement at
home, as well as on the go.
Vital statistics:
DAC: .........................................ESS9023
Power: ..........................................150mV
Weight: ................................ 100g (3.5oz)
Dimensions (W x H x D): ... 30 x 10 x 53.5mm
(1.2 x 0.4 x 2.1’’)
www.cambridge-audio.com

Top reasons you should buy
the DacMagic XS
The DacMagic XS delivers exceptional quality audio from a wide variety of sources... here are
10 reasons to choose the Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS over other systems
1
2
3
4
5
6
Upgrade your computer’s sound
The DacMagic XS is an instant upgrade to any
computer’s sound output. The DacMagic XS outputs
10 times more power than a typical computer! It sends
150mW of amplification to your headphones, allowing
you to hear bass as it should be, and is also loud and
clear enough to overcome background noise in places
like airports, trains and planes.
Music, movies, games and more
The DacMagic XS allows you to hear your favourite
music, exactly as the artist intended.
But if you mainly play games or watch films on
your laptop or computer, you’ll know how lousy the
sound can be. Now you can play the audio through
the DacMagic XS and hear all the bangs, crashes and
effects in the most amazing detail!
Digital audio
The DacMagic XS uses USB for the audio connection,
allowing a direct digital signal to be taken from your
computer, instead of the poor quality sound normally
available through a computer’s soundcard. The
DacMagic XS then processes the digital audio signal
for a much better sound than you would normally get
from your computer’s headphone output.
High quality DAC
The DacMagic XS uses a high quality ESS DAC (Digital
to Analogue Converter) to provide far higher quality
sound than your computer would ever be capable of.
Easy to use
The DacMagic XS allows you to quickly and easily
change volume with one finger, at the touch of a
button, without several mouse clicks or needing to use
both hands.
Playback of any audio
Featuring asynchronous USB audio clocking, and
supporting both USB Class 1 and USB Class 2,
the DacMagic XS can play everything from MP3 to
the highest quality 24-bit/192kHz studio master
recordings from your computer, free from unwanted
noise, jitter and distortion.
7
8
9
10
The best sound from your headphones
The DacMagic XS lets you use your headphones to
their full potential. Even if you’re only using the free
headphones that were supplied with your iPod, you’ll
notice a big improvement in sound.
But if you’ve spent your hard earned cash on better
headphones, then don’t waste them by connecting
them to the low quality output on your computer – drive
them properly with the DacMagic XS!
Know what you’re getting
The DacMagic XS has an LED to indicate incoming
sample rates, ensuring that you always know you’re
getting the best quality, or when you’ve hit maximum or
minimum volume.
Use at home or on the go
The DacMagic XS can be used with headphones, but
can also be connected directly to your hi-fi amplifier, so
you can enjoy the same improvement at home, as well
as on the go.
Subtle, small and stylish
Smaller than a box of matches, the DacMagic XS is
small enough to be carried in your shirt pocket, and
is even fully powered over USB; ideal for improving
your listening experience wherever you are, at
home or on the go.
Cambridge Audio’s policy of continuous improvement means design and specification may change without notice. All rights reserved © 2013 Cambridge Audio. Cambridge Audio is a brand
of Audio Partnership Plc Registered Office: Gallery Court, Hankey Place, London SE1 4BB, United Kingdom. Registered in England No. 2953313. iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc. registered
in the U.S and other countries. Other product and company names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for reference purposes only.
www.cambridge-audio.com
10/2013