General Asylum: REVIEW: Musical Fidelity Musical Fidelity V-LINK192 DAC Processors by jonbee

Model:	Musical Fidelity V-LINK192
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$249
Description:	USB/SPDIF Converter
Manufacturer URL:	Musical Fidelity
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee on December 26, 2012 at 09:42:27
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for the Musical Fidelity V-LINK192

I've been using my ASRock HTPC/JRiver pc into an Eastern Electric Plus DAC with Dexa discrete op-amps as my main source of quality music and really like what I've heard, but talk of spdif's musical superiority over good asynch USB led me to try this MF converter. It is powered by the PC, so no external PS, is galvanically isolated from the DAC, and uses the regarded XMOS chipset for the usb input.
This is a simple device to use. One USB input, coax and XLR outputs. With a PC you must install drivers from the CD, which went well for me, and otherwise it is plug and play. I have configured the USB to be always powered on, as some have reported better sound that way, and in Event Mode. These options are available from the set up screens. After running setup the device was already configured as the default audio device in Win7.
I did note that after a reboot of the PC, the unit did not re-lock onto the signal, requiring the unit to be powered down/up to reconnect.
Sonically, I've very pleased. The sound is more relaxed, with greater depth and separation than the supposedly good M2Tech async usb interface built into the DAC. There are no downsides I've noted.
So, although I was pleased before, I feel the $200 on-sale price brought nearly as much an improvement as the DEXA discrete op amps, which cost about $275. If you're shooting for a really good digital front end, this little unit carries a lot of performance for the $, even for a DAC with a good async USB built in.

Product Weakness:	I had an issue with re-locking the signal after PC restart.
Product Strengths:	Easy to install, adds to depth, space and sonic naturalness.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Hypex NC-400 dual mono
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio-GD C-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable): review
Speakers: Selah Audio Tempestas/James EMB-1000
Cables/Interconnects: Zu Event, Discovery Essence, AQ Coffee USB, Zu Ash digital IC, Discovery Essential
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots
Room Size (LxWxH): 17 x 19 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: lots of glass- room eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio Power Plant Premier
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Hypex NC-400 dual mono
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio-GD C-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	review
Speakers:	Selah Audio Tempestas/James EMB-1000
Cables/Interconnects:	Zu Event, Discovery Essence, AQ Coffee USB, Zu Ash digital IC, Discovery Essential
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	17 x 19 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	lots of glass- room eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Power Plant Premier
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner