The new musical fidelity V-link 192 USB/SPDIF converter

Posted by: pz on 09 January 2012

Have anyone heard it ?

How does it compare to the other similar devices ?

I would like to integrate my laptop to my main system

to feed  my DAC and play downloaded 'normal' and hires

music files. So I try to find the best sounding

solution. What are your recommendations ?

 

Regards,

Posted on: 09 January 2012 by Aleg

John Kenny MK3 modded HiFace is my favourite.

 

Posted on: 09 January 2012 by Guido Fawkes

I've not heard it, but it doesn't seem as well thought out as the original V-Link. I say this because it does not galvanically isolate the computer and yet uses coaxial rather optical. The use of coaxial is part of the marketing push to get that 192 kHz sampling rate.


In my opinion if you are not going to isolate the noisy computer then you should avoid coax; MF obviously disagree. 


There is also a bit of price hike. However, it might sound good nonetheless. 


I still think the original V-Link is ideal unless you really want the 192 capability.

For £89 it is still hard to beat. 


I don't know the device Aleg recommends, but I think it is galvanically isolated so I would suggest its use of coax is fine. That seems the proper way to do it if the design uses coaxial.  The original hiFace was fine, but I didn't like its need for drivers even on a Mac. On a PC you nearly always need drivers so once again, I don't think this is an issue.  


If you are keen on the V-Link 192 then I'd recommend trying before you buy. 

Posted on: 10 January 2012 by Eloise
Guido, you say the V-Link 192 is not galvanically isolated but that's contry to the statement on Musical Fidelity's website...

"The new V-Link192  offers outstanding technical performance.  It has both COAX and fully balanced digital outputs.  Both are fully galvanically isolated."

Eloise