Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 Review

A couple of years ago, a brand new product difficulty appeared in high-end audio: the USB to S/PDIF converter. As a matter of fact, the bomb expansion of P.C. audio has spawned multi-part new product categories for audiophiles. These add the proliferation of USB DACs, "audiophile" rank USB cables, and high-end playback software. The thought of using a consumer rank P.C. joined with the products on top of as a source has taken foothold, and manufacturers have found a brand new market.

For the starting from scratch, and no other digital sources other than a computer, shopping a USB DAC with a singular submit may make sense. The makers of USB-only DACs have probably maximized the USB submit to its limit promising and there are no extra tools indispensable to assimilate multi-part inputs. However, if a is gritty to use a P.C. as a USB source, but has a DAC with no fitting USB input, a converter is the answer. This is notably loyal if a has multi-part digital sources besides a computer. USB converters are a great selection in this context, as they normally cost good beneath $1000, and are really easy to confederate in to a system.

Essentially, USB convertor translates your computer's USB digital outlay to the more familiar S/PDIF format. S/PDIF stands for Sony Philips Digital Interface Format. This may be in the form of coaxial RCA, optical, or BNC. Some convertors moreover enable you to modify to AES/EBU, a familiar veteran digital standard. USB converters can moreover be self-powered, or USB heart powered. Most convertors on the marketplace moreover run in "asynchronous" mode, shortening jitter, and permitting the DAC to call the shots, so to speak.

Tempo , the venerable US importer of Musical Fidelity products, sent along the brand new V-Link 192 for me to review. This is the third USB convertor Musical Fidelity has brought to marketplace -- the initial being the V-Link, then

Set Up Listening:

The V- Link 192 is USB heart powered, so there is no combining wal wart power supply. At the finish of the V-Link 192 that has the AES/EBU and persuade outputs, LED lights show power, lock, and incoming representation rate from 48 Khz to 192 Khz. we could make an evidence that the LED indicators should be on the USB submit side, as this is how we found myself of course positioning the unit. we had to double back the cables in such a way as to have the DAC connectors confronting me so we could see the indicators.