A year on from their London Olympic relay flop, it was the same result but a very different outlook from Australia's male sprinters at the world championships in Barcelona.
Australia surrendered the 4x100m freestyle world title it captured in Shanghai two years ago, finishing fourth behind France, the US and Russia in a thrilling blanket finish on Sunday.
It was the same top-four order as in London last year but the mood within the Australian camp was considerably brighter this time.
Although Magnussen was clearly disappointed with his opening leg of 48.00 seconds, he felt his mistakes were tactical rather than preparation-related as he chased out American Nathan Adrian, who narrowly beat him in the individual Olympic final.
"It's been a while since someone's led me out to 50 so that felt a bit foreign," Magnussen said.
"I probably chased a little bit too early, burned my legs a bit early."
Having entered the Olympic final as hot favourites, Australia's sprint stars were gutted to come up empty handed in London.
But a youthful squad of Magnussen, Cameron McEvoy, Tommaso D'Orsogna and James Roberts found plenty of encouraging signs as they finished just 0.40 seconds behind the French on Sunday.
France won in three minutes and 11.18 seconds ahead of the US (3:11.42), Russia (3:11.44) and Australia (3:11.58).
"Last year took us all by surprise but this year we didn't have the pressure on us," Roberts said.
"We're an extremely young team and we're about moving forward.
"It was very close and definitely an improvement on last year.
"It's really looking good for the future."
D'Orsogna, who beat out the likes of Kenneth To and Matt Targett to a spot in the final, pointed to the fact the squad would be in its prime come Rio in 2016.
"I'm the oldest (in the team) and I'm 22," he said.
"That's a pretty young relay and that's not something any other country can say that they have."
Magnussen and McEvoy will begin their campaigns in the individual 100m event on Wednesday.
Magnussen's coach Brant Best is confident the reigning world champion is much better equipped to bounce back from the relay than he was 12 months ago.
The Australian spearhead wasn't alone in clocking a time well below his best, with Adrian and Russian Vladimir Morozov also among those who overcooked the opening leg.
There were several eye-catching swims, with Frenchman Fabien Gilot producing a sizzling third leg of 46.90 to announce himself as a genuine gold medal threat in the individual event.
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