Cary Audio DMS-700 Network Audio Player
The DMS-700 combines Cary’s smooth, relaxed poise with cleaner detail, nimble timing and impressively focused imaging. Terry Ellis found its upsampling especially rewarding, while The Hans Beekhuyzen noted a balanced presentation with textured bass. Extensive high-resolution streaming, DAC and connectivity options make this a musical, transparent digital hub for systems that prize refinement over flash.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
78/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
80/100
Pros
Clean, clear and detailed sound retains a smooth, relaxed musical character, with stronger timing and agility.
Upsampling improves image focus and tightens the presentation; DSD256 upsampling performed particularly well in review.
Balanced sonics with slightly textured low frequencies, plus an app considered easy to operate.
Cons
Premium pricing faces competition from products offering similar or broader specifications and features.
The control app is reliable and straightforward but not as advanced or feature-rich as some alternatives; Roon requires a separate subscription.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The DMS-700 is described as clean, clear, smooth and relaxed, while bringing more transparency than the earlier Cary presentation. Reviewers also found it well balanced, with textured low frequencies and improved focus when using Cary’s upsampling.
Tonal Balance Musicality
90/100
Pursuit Perfect System heard the familiar smooth, relaxed Cary character remain intact even as the DMS-700 became cleaner and more transparent. Hans Beekhuyzen similarly found the presentation immediately pleasing, well balanced, and slightly more textured at the low end.
Resolution Detail
89/100
The internal DAC was said to deliver better clarity and allow more individual details to emerge than the comparison source. Upsampling was also found to tighten the presentation and improve image focus, helping music sound quicker and more nimble.
Digital Performance
90/100
The DAC section made a clear positive impression in listening, producing a cleaner and clearer presentation without losing Cary’s easy-going character. The review also found the DMS-700’s DSD upsampling option especially successful, with a worthwhile gain in focus.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
This is a highly capable DAC/streaming hub with broad digital input support, balanced and single-ended outputs, Bluetooth, Roon capability and extensive hi-res PCM/DSD support. The Cary app is described as easy to operate, although one review notes that less expensive rivals can offer a better app experience.
Streaming Software
84/100
Hans Beekhuyzen found the Cary Audio app very easy to operate. Pursuit Perfect System was less enthusiastic by comparison, noting that more affordable alternatives can provide a better app experience; Roon use also requires a separate subscription.
Features Connectivity
91/100
The DMS-700 is unusually flexible, with AES/EBU, coaxial, Toslink, USB, SD-card and Bluetooth inputs, plus balanced XLR and RCA analogue outputs. It supports MQA, Roon, high-resolution PCM up to 768 kHz, DSD up to DSD512, and wired or Wi-Fi networking.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
78/100
The supplied reviews say little about chassis rigidity, control feel, long-term reliability, or the quality of the internal construction. Its substantial 28 lb aluminium-bodied design is listed in the specifications, but neither reviewer offers meaningful hands-on construction commentary.
Value for Money
80/100
At roughly £8,090 in the cited UK review, the DMS-700 is positioned as a costly premium streamer/DAC. Pursuit Perfect System considered its sound character a major attraction, but noted strong competition offering equal or broader specifications and features, including cheaper options with better app experiences.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- Master Clock Jitter
- Below measurable levels
- Digital Sampling Rates (Fs)
- 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz, DSD64 to DSD512
- Digital Filter
- 32-Bit 8x Oversampling Digital Filter
- Digital/Analog Converters
- 1 – 4 channel AK4499EQ for true balanced output
- BLUETOOTH
- CSR Bluetooth v 4.0 with aptX HD for 24 Bit / 48 kHz high definition audio decoder
- Analog Filter
- 3rd Order Bessel
- Analog Outputs
- Balanced XLR, Single – Ended RCA
- Digital Outputs
- Coaxial, Toslink operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz, 16 bit to 24 bit, DSD64, DSD128
- Digital Inputs
- USB x 3, SD Card x 1 BLUETOOTH x1 AES/EBU x1, Coaxial x2, Toslink x1
- Digital Input Sample Rate
- USB operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz to 705.6 kHz, 16 bit to 32 bit, DSD 64, 128, 256 and 512. BLUETOOTH Sample Frequency (Fs) 48 kHz, 24bit. AES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz, 16 bit to 24 bit, DSD64, DSD128
- Control
- Trigger input 12VDC x1 IR control x1
- Communication
- Ethernet RJ45 full remote configuration interface Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac support MU-MIMO
- Power Input
- Configured at factory for either 110-120 or 220-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
- AC Power Requirements
- 45 Watts
- Finish
- Custom aluminum chassis and faceplate available in either Silver or Black anodized finish
- Weight
- 28 lbs
- Dimensions
- 3.75″ H x 17.25″ W x 16.25″ D
- Frequency Range
- 2 Hz – 22 kHz (44.1 kHz)
- Amplitude Linearity
- 0.1 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Phase Linearity
- 3 degrees (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Dynamic Range
- 124 dB (1 kHz)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 127 dB (1 kHz)
- Channel Separation
- 107 dB (1 kHz)
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- 0.0001% (1 kHz)
- Audio Output Level
- 2.0V RMS (220 Ω output impedance) for Volume at 0.0dB 3.0V RMS (220 Ω output impedance) for Volume at +8.0dB
- Balanced XLR Output
- +/- 2.0V RMS (440 Ω output impedance) for Volume at 0.0dB +/- 3.0V RMS (440 Ω output impedance) for Volume at +8.0dB
- Playback Format Supply
- .dsf, .dff (DSD64, 128, 256, 512), .aif, .aiff, .alac, .flac, .m4a, .mp4, .wav, .ape, .mp3, .aac, .wma, .ogg, .asf
- Frequency Range
- 2 Hz – 100 kHz
- Signal System
- 16, 20, 24, & 32 bit PCM and 1 bit DSD
- Sampling Frequency
- 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz PCM and 2.822MHz – 22.5792 MHz DSD
- Dynamic Range
- 124 dB
- DSD System Clock
- Frequency 22.5792 MHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 127 dB
- Audio Output Level
- 2.0V RMS (220 Ω output impedance) for Volume at 0.0dB 3.0V RMS (220 Ω output impedance) for Volume at +8.0dB
- Balanced XLR Output
- +/- 2.0V RMS (440 Ω output impedance) for Volume at 0.0dB +/- 3.0V RMS (440 Ω output impedance) for Volume at +8.0dB
- Frequency Range
- 2 Hz – 100 kHz
- Signal System
- 16, 20, and 24 bit
- Sampling Frequency
- 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz PCM, DSD64, DSD128
- Dynamic Range
- 124 dB
- System Clock
- Frequency 22.5792 MHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 127 dB
- Audio Output Level
- 2.0V RMS (220 Ω output impedance) for Volume at 0.0dB 3.0V RMS (220 Ω output impedance) for Volume at +8.0dB
- Balanced XLR Output
- +/- 2.0V RMS (440 Ω output impedance) for Volume at 0.0dB +/- 3.0V RMS (440 Ω output impedance) for Volume at +8.0dB
Manufacturer's Description — Cary Audio
ABOUT THE DMS-700 NETWORK AUDIO PLAYER
Positioned at the heart of our DMS range, the DMS-700 embodies the perfect blend of performance and value. Sharing key components with our top-tier Reference DMS-800 Professional Version, including identical DACs and analog output stages, it offers exceptional audio fidelity that rivals higher-priced alternatives. With its expanded soundstage, nuanced sonic details, and seamless integration of cutting-edge technology, the DMS-700 delivers an immersive listening experience that surpasses expectations.
Equipped with original AKM AK4499EQ DACs and a comprehensive suite of streaming features, including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready, the DMS-700 ensures versatility and convenience. Its support for PCM & DSD selectable upsampling and optional PCM to DSD conversion, coupled with various connectivity options, makes it the ideal solution for audiophiles seeking uncompromising sound quality. Elevate your listening journey with the DMS-700 and experience the pinnacle of audio performance.
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download.
The MQA logo is a trademark of MQA Limited. © MQA Limited 2024
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
The DMS-700 includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The DMS-700 LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. It glows blue to indicate it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner.
Roon is the most engaging, enjoyable way to browse your music.
Being RoonReady means that Cary Audio network players transparently discover and connect to Roon, with no network configuration, with bitperfect delivery of audio to your dac.
Together, Roon and Cary Audio deliver the power, flexibility, and performance benefits of networked audio, with the easiest setup and highest reliability available.
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