Digital Drive: REVIEW: McCormack DAC 1 DAC Processors by Ecruz

Model:	DAC 1
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$899
Description:	Solid State DAC
Manufacturer URL:	McCormack
Manufacturer URL:	McCormack

Review by Ecruz ( A ) on December 29, 2004 at 09:29:20
IP Address: 208.178.59.98

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for the DAC 1

I picked this DAC up used for $300 to hook up to my DSS (satellite). I was so impressed with what it did for the satellite that I figured I'd try it with my cd player.
I have a Rotel RCD 1072. It was TAS 2003 product of the year and I thought it sounded pretty darn good for $700. But when I threw the DAC 1 in to the mix, HOLY SMOKES! I don't have to skill to describe in words how much better it sounded. It sounded like I bought a new cd player. Everything improved. The soundstage got bigger. The upper frequencies more extended AND less harsh. The low end more extended AND tighter. A much warmer, richer and more realistic sound. Dare I say, tubelike. All of this with a $25 digital cable. When I bought a better cable everything improved again. I can't tell you how happy I am with this purchase.
It's also very nice looking. Typical McCormack build. Looks like high end gear should.
I contacted Steve McCormack just to let him know how happy I was with this thing and he told me that they do upgrades on these that will take it to a whole new level for only a few hundred dollars. It will be my next upgrade.
My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that I have to get up and walk over to the rack and flip a switch to go between the Toslink and Digital RCA inputs.

Product Weakness: Very minor complaint, I have to get up and physically flip a switch to go between Toslink and Digital RCA inputs.
Product Strengths: Made my already very good cd player better in EVERY way. Built like a tank. Looks sharp.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	McCormack DNA 1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Musical Fidelity A3 cr
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rotel RCD 1072
Speakers:	Magnepan 1.5
Cables/Interconnects:	Various
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Folk
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 16 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Bass Traps in corners
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio power cables
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Very minor complaint, I have to get up and physically flip a switch to go between Toslink and Digital RCA inputs.
Product Strengths:	Made my already very good cd player better in EVERY way. Built like a tank. Looks sharp.