Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 USB to S/PDIF Converter Review

Chris I already use a Halide Bridge converter, which goes only up to 96. Did you get a chance to compare? Would getting a V-Link be an up grade or a lateral move? Thanks, Sam

Hi Sam - I wish there was a simple answer to your question. It's really hard to say what's going to work best in your system to your ears. If you have 24/192 content that you really want to play then that could be part of the answer. If you want to use different USB cables that can also be part of your answer.

I didn't compare the two components directly during this review. Such a comparison would have made a lot of sense.

Hey Chris - nice review. Did you have the MF unit plugged into the USB ports on the SoTM card of the CAPS v2?

Hey Chris - nice review. Did you have the MF unit plugged into the USB ports on the SoTM card of the CAPS v2?

Hi John - Yes the 192 was connected to the SOtM USB card.

....and the MF 192 brought improvements over and above the SoTM USB card?

....and the MF 192 brought improvements over and above the SoTM USB card?

I don't understand your question. The 192 connects to the SOtM card.

Apologies - probably not explaining myself too well (it's been a long day down under). A) SOtM --> MF 192 --> EMM DAC versus B) SOtM --> EMM DAC. Direct connection had the upper hand?

Between setup A and B the direct connection from music server to DAC sounded better.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for that review. I have my mac mini connected via a Furutech USB cable direct to my Bel Canto DAC2.5 which you may remember is limited to 96 in the USB. From your time with the DAC1.5 would you expect to hear any improvement putting this MF box and a decent coaxial cable in between them or is it only going to give me benefits if I want to listen to 192 material?

Thanks in advance.

RS

Chris, in the review you mention three different setups: A) CAPS -> MF 192 -> DAC2X, B) CAPS -> DAC2X and C) CAPS -> BADA -> DAC2X. You state that you preferred both B and C to A. While I understand that the focus of the review is the MF 192, could you provide a complete ranking by indicating whether or not you have a preference between B and C? I asked the same question following your review of the DAC2X, but I did not get a clear answer.

Nice review Chris, this should be a really option for those who do not want to spend truly big bucks on something lke the Alpha USB, but still want all sample rates and a well designed unit. I am glad to hear that MF has adopted the XMOS and is now using two oscillators, avoiding the compromises of their past design. The display leds are a really nice touch as well.

A note to those who might be interested in pushing the performance of this converter to the next level: I made an adapter back when I was using the Wavelink converter (USB B-USB B) which allowed me to break out the power cable at the converter end of the USB cable, and then I applied an isolated, low noise linear power supply here. This mod really helped the Wavelink get even better, and I suspect it would allow for good performance improvement with the V-Link as well (without having to spend Alpha USB type coin).

Might be a sille question, but I recently set up a Musical Fidelity M1 DAC and M1 HPA in my system and was told that it was not necessary to get the V Link 192, as it would be redundant. Is this true, or might this 192 further help the cause towards better sound?

Might be a sille question, but I recently set up a Musical Fidelity M1 DAC and M1 HPA in my system and was told that it was not necessary to get the V Link 192, as it would be redundant. Is this true, or might this 192 further help the cause towards better sound?

The V-Link 192 will allow you to play back 24/192 via USB as well as the 24/96 already supported (with the M1 DAC-A version).

Will it improve sound quality over the built in USB... Maybe is the only answer I can give - you would need to demo.

As an aside MF do have a new M1 DAC-S coming in the Autumn which combines the M1 DAC, Headphone amp and analogue input preamp and supports 24/192 via USB.

Eloise

Between setup A and B the direct connection from music server to DAC sounded better.

Thanks Chris. I find that result very interesting because it suggests that the MF V-Link 192 is introducing something that compromises sound quality (jitter, EMI, unknown) into the chain (between music server and DAC). Either that, or the S/PDIF input on the EMM DAC isn't as good as its USB? I dunno as I've not played with the EMM unit. It does sound impressive though.

I've done a whole bunch of listening with the Audiophilleo, JKSPDIF and KingRex UD384 (and the original MF V-Link). They ALL brought improvements to cheaper DACs (no question!) but none of them have made any of those DACs sound 'worse' than the stock USB (which is what you have found here, I think).

I'm currently playing with the PSAudio PerfectWave MKII. It's a killer unit. Neither the Audiophilleo nor Empiricial Audio's Synchro-Mesh bring any improvement to its sound. That is, the PSAudio DAC sounds the same with or without each of these clocking devices in the chain.

Thanks for the detailed review on the MF V-Link 192 though. It sounds like they nailed it with the addition of a second clock (over the original V-Link). Think I'll get one and give it a whirl....

Hi Cris,

thanks to work on my side of the budget from time to time! :-)

Great review, assertive, clear.

Someday maybe I experiment and build myself a kind of C.A.P.S server, (maybe based on linux and using MPD)...just for the fun...

In that case, it seems that this V-Link 192 could be used.

So the MF S/PDIF output impedance is 50 ohms? I thought S/PDIF coax was a 75 ohm impedance system. Or is it ok if the output impedance is lower than the load impedance?

Vade Forrester

Ho-hum.

When are you going to review the Wadia 121 and Schiit Bifrost? Reviews of these two products are conspicuous by their absence.

Ho-hum.

 

When are you going to review the Wadia 121 and Schiit Bifrost? Reviews of these two products are conspicuous by their absence.

Next week.

Next week.

Excellent, thank you. I look forward to it.

So the MF S/PDIF output impedance is 50 ohms? I thought S/PDIF coax was a 75 ohm impedance system. Or is it ok if the output impedance is lower than the load impedance?

 

Vade Forrester

That's exactly my question.

Can a common 75 Ohm S/PDIF cable be used to connect V-Link's 50 Ohm S/PDIF Output to the S/PDIF input of a DAC (that is commonly specified at 75 Ohm)? Is there any potential loss in quality by doing so?

Thanks in advance.

I am glad to hear that MF has adopted the XMOS and is now using two oscillators, avoiding the compromises of their past design. The display leds are a really nice touch as well.

Hello Cris and Barrows...

If one only plays up to 24/96 content..Do you think because of a better implementation the V-Link 192 will perform better at 24/96, comparing to the previous unit? Or, in practical terms, performance will be the same?

A note to those who might be interested in pushing the performance of this converter to the next level: I made an adapter back when I was using the Wavelink converter (USB B-USB B) which allowed me to break out the power cable at the converter end of the USB cable, and then I applied an isolated, low noise linear power supply here. This mod really helped the Wavelink get even better, and I suspect it would allow for good performance improvement with the V-Link as well (without having to spend Alpha USB type coin).

Are you aware if this mod is commercial available?

(if I understood correctly, a different USB cable is needed to by-pass the power coming from the computer and apply power from the power supply).

Thanks!

Hi Chris

Did you use either Pure Music or Amarra while reviewing the V-Link 192. If so any compatibility issues or difference with them turned on/off. Or does the usage of the bridge eliminate the need for the additional software?

I'm thinking of the V-Link or the Stello U3, but can't see where you have reviewed the Stello. I would be interested in a comparison. I will have to purchase one blind as no dealer around that carries either. Keep up the great work.

If you don't have impedance match you can get reflextions in the cable that what I assume may cause disturbances and by that reading errors. Why does not MF conform to standard in home audio?

/Johan

Hello Cris and Barrows...

Are you aware if this mod is commercial available?

(if I understood correctly, a different USB cable is needed to by-pass the power coming from the computer and apply power from the power supply).

If like me you are not into DIY stuff, a convenient and relatively cheap way of providing good-quality power to a USB interface is to buy an AQVOX power supply. I purchased one about six months ago to power my Audiophilleo 2 (AP2) and have been pleased with the result. I have to disclaim that I did no thorough AB testing, but the sound seems cleaner to me since I installed the Aqvox (compared with the previous situation where the AP2 was powered by the USB cable running from my Macbook).

Just saw that the price on this has dropped from $399 to $199 on Amazon and other sellers. Wonder if something new is coming?