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Musical Fidelity V-Link with Rega DAC REVIEW



This is MAINLY a review of the Musical Fidelity V-Link which converts the USB from my Mac Mini to a coax and enables Hi-Res playback through the Rega DAC.

The unit is small, perhaps twice the size of a pack of cigarettes and finished in black. The newer version of the unit is silver BTW and sells for closer to 200.00. The version 1 I'm using has been on sale for an amazing 99.00! Connections takes all of a few minutes. The unit is powered by the USB connection and it also has power and signal lights, both of which are too bright. In fact I don't think I've ever seen indicator lights so bright on any equipment!

The unit is connected via Cardas HD cable, resting on home made dense latex sponge feet just like the Rega DAC is.

(As a side note my friend and I used the V-Link previously when comparing the EE Minimax Plus Dac and Rega DAC. He has sold the Minimax and bought a Rega DAC to replace it. I should point out that he's a turntable lover and finds the Rega leans in that direction.)

The Mac Mini is software tweaked and loaded with memory. Pure Music was used. The best news I can give anyone is that the V-Link sounded utterly transparent overall. Nothing was lost and a few things gained. This may be credited to the V-Link or the Rega's spdif connection, but bass was tighter and soundstage depth also improved. The soundstage advantage was subtle, but the improvement in bass was quite easy to hear. It still took very careful listening to spot any difference with the V-link. Hi Res files sounded great, though I have not listened in depth enough to make any comments regarding comparison to 16 bit counterparts. Dubious of the hi res advantage I was more worried about losing something with the converter and am pleased that it's quite the opposite.

The bottom line....
The Mac Mini is my new serious source. With the Rega DAC and V-Link I'm getting more realism than I have ever heard from my system with CD players. My friend, who's system is vastly larger, is now using the Rega/Mac combo as well. He has abandoned some pretty good players, including the ARC. Still, it's VERY important to remember that everything we've tried, including my el-cheapo Oppo player ALL sounded excellent. It's down to what we call "micro-differences." The V-Link is a wonderful addition to my system and the fact that it's also a bargain isn't so bad either!

Happy New year!

Rob
robbob
robbob OP
273 posts
 
Drdennis,

So far as I understand, the only way to get hi res via the Rega DAC is with the converter. The USB on the Rega is only 16 bit, so the USB out from the Mac, through the V-Link to the Rega DAC was the best route.

I am so pleased with the sound of the Mac/Rega that I'm done with that end of the system and now focused on having my Merlin TSM-MXr speakers upgraded to Masters and tweaking other parts of my system.

Happy new year!

Rob
Ag insider logo xs@2x
amsco15
16 posts
 
Thanks for your review. Do you have the 2011 Mac Mini? Have you tried the optical ouput of the Mac Mini? My understanding is the 2011 Mac Mini optical oputput is capable of 24/196.

Thanks, Dale
robbob OP
273 posts
 
I do have the latest Mac Mini, but I was told that it's optical was not the best way to go. I admit that I never tried it...guilty!

I was also under the impression that the Rega DAC did best with SPDIF.

Rob
robbob OP
273 posts
 
Sorry...meant SPDIF coax instead of optical.

Rob
vincent25
6 posts
 
I'm using the optical spdif out on my laptop into the Rega. There's a noticeable improvement in the mids compared with going directly USB. In the latter instance, I felt the highs and lows were extended but the mids were left behind. I've thought about getting a vlink but I'm not sure it will add anything at this point except for the extra cable.
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