The V-CAN is a genuine state-of-the-art headphone amplifier. Most high quality headphones have impedance of around 30 Ohms. Almost all headphone amps have an output impedance between 50 and 100 Ohms. Because of their high output impedance they cannot drive headphones properly. Any sound they produce through the headphones is necessarily coloured, with distortion and non linear frequency response. The V-CAN is quite different. Its output impedance is 5 Ohms. This means it will drive any headphone available with ease. It will produce low distortion, ruler flat frequency response and complete linearity.

Design background

When the original V-DAC was launched three years ago, it got excellent
reviews. The technical reviews, in particular, were outstanding, and the V-DAC proved to be popular with music loving audiophiles. Most competent reviewers realized that the V-DAC was the technical equal of other DACs up to ten times the price. The only real criticism was about its appearance.

In the last three years, computer audio has become more popular. To get the best out of computer audio, you need an asynchronous USB input. The original V-DAC did not have this.

The design brief for the V-DAC?II

1. Improved appearance and finish
2. Add asynchronous USB input
3. If possible, improve the technical performance

1. Improved appearance and finish

Contrary to what many may think, Musical Fidelity listened closely to what was said about the aesthetics of the V-DAC and we took the criticism to heart. We have made a substantial investment in the extrusion fabrication techniques for the V-DAC II. The result is that it looks much better and the finish is also vastly improved. The V-DAC?II looks classy and technical at the same time, which is a perfect combination for a DAC.

The fine line extrusion with premium finish brushing exudes quality. The front and back end pieces are now made from machined aluminium, twice as thick as before, giving the V-DAC II more perceived quality.

2. Asynchronous USB input

The new V-DAC?II has an asynchronous USB input. This is exactly the same technology and programming as used in our highly successful, enthusiastically reviewed V-Link.

What an amazing combination: superlative 24bit 192k upsampling reclocking V-DAC technology and a super-performance, asynchronous USB in one box. This is amazing stuff!

3. If possible, improve the technical performance

The original V-DAC had superlative technical performance. With very low
distortion (0.005%), low noise, excellent linearity and low jitter, it was equal to, or in many cases better than, DACs that were vastly more expensive.

The V-DAC?II improves upon the original V-DAC’s benchmark performance. We have halved the distortion (0.002%) and improved the stereo separation to an incredible –105dB.

By any standards, the V-DAC?II is a new benchmark for superlative technical performance.

V-LINK

NEW! V LINK 24 BIT 96 kHz ASYCHRONOUS USB TO S/PDIF CONVERTER WITH COAX AND OPTICAL OUTPUT

Design Background

More people are storing their cherished music collections on computer. This exciting consumer led revolution gives new and exciting possibilities for audiophiles. However, the standard USB output from laptops has been a serious limitation on ultimate quality.

Standard computer USB outputs are synchronous. This means that the computer will determine its output data rate at its whim. From an audiophile’s perspective this is a disaster. The data rate might be 14 BIT 32 kHz or it might be at a higher data rate. It just depends on…what the computer decides to do.

The solution to this problem is asynchrony. Simply put the receiving device instructs the computer to give it data (via its USB output) at whatever rate it has been stored on the computer disc. This is a big change. Now an audiophile can be confident that the data received from his computer is genuinely high quality and unfailingly consistent. Perfect!

V-Link

The V-Link is 24 BIT 96 kHz asynchronous USB to S/PDIF converter. It is an exclusive in-house, Musical Fidelity development. The V-Link offers perfect performance from USB. Jitter is eliminated. Data transfer is perfect. It really, really does the job.

There are other products on the market which have similar functionality but, unless you spend big money on Ayre or other similar products, they do not work consistently, reliably or in some cases properly.

The V-Link has been designed from the ground up to offer perfect and consistent performance. It will work with a huge range of computers and operating systems. Extreme attention has been paid to all the detailed programming to ensure rock solid consistency. The low jitter power supply feeds an ultra high precision clock which is positioned almost on top of (in PCB terms at least) the V-Link’s vital components. This achieves extremely short tracks and ultra accurate clocking.

Our selected I2 Bus to S/PDIF converter ensures jitter free precision conversion.

The V-Link has Musical Fidelity’s unique proprietary asynchronous digital control system feedback technology software. When added to all the other elements, it produces virtual perfection. The V-Link (24 bit 96 kHz) produces performance equal to the most expensive and the most exotic on the market. It’s true!

Zero Jitter

…”Moreover, it offers completely jitter-free conversion from one interface to the other, as the graph above shows. (Ignore the extremely low-level peaks in the spectrum: they are the residual components of the J-test signal used for my measurement. PM)”…

Optical Output

Interfacing computers to audio systems dramatically reduces the audio system’s performance. This is because computers have large amounts of digital noise on their earths. This seriously reduces audio performance. The V-Link’s optical output eliminates it entirely.

The V-Link’s optical output gives audiophile performance from computers.

Musical Fidelity’s V-series competitive pricing

Musical Fidelity’s V-series offers state of the art performance for a low price. It is done by solid commercial principles and state of the art circuit/PCB design. The V-series has no extraneous anything. It is state of the art circuitry laid out to perfection with no trimmings, extraneous trouser stuffing braggadocio, packaged in a simple low cost housing made in large numbers. We are determined to give state of the art performance at an every day price.

… “The device works superbly.  There’s a clear sonic improvement” …

… “Overall, the new V-Link is a fine little tweaky product for computer audiophiles” …

JUNE 2011 HI-FI WORLD

… “Whether streaming music from my hard-disc storage over the home network, or with high-quality internet streamed services, the V-Link/netbook combination sounded magical – and I don’t use the term lightly” …

MAY 2011 GRAMOPHONE

V-LPS II

The V-LPS is a very high performance MM/MC Phono Stage. It is technically correct. It has virtually perfect RIAA (±0.3dB 20Hz - 20kHz), extremely low distortion, wide overload margin and very low noise. By every tehnical measure it is top quality.

We achieve this by putting our kW Series phono stage circuitry into a package which is extremely economical. It really isn't rocket science, all you have to do is to be determined to make incredible value for money. And that's the V-LPS!

V-PSU II

The V-PSU2 is a high quality fully regulated power supply. Up to three V-series components can be connected to it at the same time. The V-PSU2 is a fully regulated, ultra low noise, stable power supply. It enables any V-series component connected to it to deliver optimum sonic performance. The V-PSU2 can also be used with the original V-series.

The existing V-Link has gained reputation for extraordinary technical performance and incredible value for money. 

The V-LINK192 is for ultra high resolution 24-bit 192 kHz USB.  Up to now this has been the territory for very expensive asynchronous devices.  The new V-Link192  offers true 24-bit 192 kHz asynchronous performance at an outstandingly competitive price.

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

Additionally, the V-Link192   has input frequency LEDs (similar to the M1 DAC) which indicate the following frequencies:

44.1 kHz
48 kHz
88.2 kHz
96 kHz
176.4 kHz
192 kHz

The V-LINK192 has a multi-coloured LED array:

Blue:       Power
Green:      Lock
Yellow:   44 kHz, 48 kHz and 88.2 kHz
Orange:   96 kHz and 176.4 kHz