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
