# 🎶 How does the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M compare to other DACs in sound quality?

*Published: 2024-07-24 | Updated: 2024-10-06 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/how-does-the-cambridge-audio-dacmagic-200m-compare-to-other-dacs-in-sound-quality*

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## Product: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M DAC and Headphone Amp
**Brand:** Cambridge Audio

If you're checking out the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M, it's got quite a strong reputation for sound quality. Our data shows that it's built around dual ESS ES9028Q2M DAC chips, which help it handle high-resolution audio files up to 24-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. 

So, if you're really into getting great sound from different audio formats, this one could be up your alley.

A couple of things to highlight: it has balanced XLR outputs and Bluetooth with aptX support, which gives you some nice setup flexibility and wireless streaming options. 

But, if you're planning to primarily use it as a headphone amplifier, the feedback is a bit mixed.

It seems the built-in headphone amp is decent for casual listening. However, if you're after top-tier headphone sound, you might want to consider adding a [dedicated headphone amp](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Ddedicated%2Bheadphone%2Bamp%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) to really max out the performance.

Just a heads-up—some folks have mentioned software quirks, like needing to reconnect it after your computer wakes up from sleep mode. It's not a huge deal, but worth considering.

Overall, compared to other DACs, the DacMagic 200M brings a lot to the table with its feature set and sound quality. 

If superior audio is what you're after, especially as part of a home audio system, it's a solid option. But if you're all about those headphones, pairing it with an external amp might be the way to go.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*