Home > Consumer Reviews > Musical Fidelity V-DAC Upsampling Digital to Analog Audio Converter

I've had the Musical Fidelity V-DAC for just over a week now and put it through it's paces with a variety of rock, pop, jazz and classical music. The V-DAC definitely sounds quite a bit better than my Oppo DVD-980H's analog outputs or the Oppo connected via coaxial digital to my Onkyo TX-SR705. The difference is immediate: much deeper bass, wider and deeper "sound stage", instruments are clearly differentiated whereas before they sounded mixed up, much better tonal differences with voices, stringed instruments, even electronic music. I didn't find the Onkyo or Oppo thin sounding at all (quite the opposite), but the V-DAC sounds significantly richer and more "solid". For the money, I really couldn't be happier - it's a great little device. I also compared the V-DAC to the DAC built into my Marantz SR5300 A/V receiver and again, the V-DAC comes out on top.

** WARNING ** Don't try the following yourself unless you're comfortable experimenting with and modifying electronic components! **
One "tweak" I couldn't resist was to replace the wall mart power supply it comes with with a larger regulated power supply. The one I got came from Amazon at a very low price and I recommend it too: Pyramid PS3 3-Amp 13.8-Volt Power Supply. Changing the power supply does improve sound quality further - most noticeable as deeper and tighter bass, more "solid" images, and stronger dynamics. All of these attributes were already strong points even with the stock power supply. The V-DAC does run cooler too using the bigger power supply, so hopefully that will extend its life.

Even without the above "tweak", the V-DAC sounds just great, and should provide a noticeable improvement for folks who do not already own a high-end DAC or A/V receiver. I hope you have as much fun with the V-DAC.

I've had Musical Fidelity products in the past, so I knew their quality was good. The V line is a different approach for MF, rather than put tons of money into cosmetics, they have basically scrapped that for higher quality goods on the inside. This is the tradeoff for more value.

Bare bones cosmetics does not necessarily equate to "cheap, low quality" as within most products. The MF case is plain, it's down right utilitarian, but it is of high quality, no doubt. The V-DAC which I have, like the other two V products has inputs and outputs on both sides, which is a far stray from what is normal with everything in the back of the unit. If you want impressive looks, then this is not for you, but if you want quality and high end components on the inside, then look no further. This little black box might as well be turning lead into gold! That may be pushing it a little, but you get the point. When you bypass the internal DAC's of say your computer as I'm doing and run your digital music through a high quality DAC such as the MF V-DAC, the difference is, well, it's like the lead into gold!

I've actually taken to the design of it. By putting a high quality (read thick and big) glass fiber cable on it, it starts to look better. With the addition of spikes supporting, it, it becomes even better. Next thing in order for it, is a high quality external power supply to replace the ubiquitous "wall wart". I've been told that the addition of this piece is the most important upgrade for it. MF skipped cost on the power supply to stay focused on the inside, that's fine, because it holds the cost down, which is a large part of it. I guess they figured if anyone wanted a power supply upgrade that bad, then they would not mind adding that themselves.

If you want audio quality over looks and don't want to spend a bundle, then this audiophile grade product is worth taking a look at.

I got this to replace a couple of other DAC's I've owned, primarily because it met my critieria (connectivity, size, price, performance) and also I've had great experience with MF products. I wasn't disappointed here. This little unit is everything it says it is and then some. It makes me love to listen to digital - even crappy mp3's are very listenable - this thing has that elusive, intangible that is missing in so much audio equipment, it sounds musical, organic, and like music. Its fantastic - I can't imagine spending multiple thousands on a DAC when this thing is so good - really. Excellent bass, soundstage, clarity without harshness (sound rather tubelike actually) dynamic range, and smooth top end without lossing detail. In my book its virtually perfect...I even bought another and intend to buy the rest of the V line MF has created if this is representative of what they are like. Thanks Musical Fidelity! This thing is fantastic.

Some reviews say that the optical input sounds better than the USB connection. I read a review that said the USB chip is made by Texas Instruments and the optical chip is made by Burr Brown therefore there may be some credence to what the previous reviewers are saying (although Burr Brown was purchased by TI). Personally, I use both and feel that they are excellent and far superior to how my system previously sounded. The optical may be a bit more dynamic but the USB is no slouch and is probably as good as it gets when compared to other USB DACs. This is, by far, the best DAC available for the money. My V-DAC is connected to a Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amplifier. For loudspeakers, I have Epos ELS3 and Focal Chorus.

This Dac sounds really good, better than other similar priced products I tried.

I am using a desktop style 13.8v regulated power supply - the original wallwart supplis 16-17v...so 13.8 is good.

Apparently the ultimate power supply for this would be a 12v sealed lead acid (car/bike/ups) type battery - as this outputs totally "clean" DC current! Next upgrade on my list.

Also the Optical is better than USB, For example clapping (flamenco) becomes 3 dimensional with Optical, vs, 2 dimensional w/USB. HTPC Asus MB doesn't have a Coax out readily available...maybe configurable but I didn't try it!

I am using the super revealing and brilliant sounding Nuforce IA-7 Integrated for Amplification duties :)

If you are using cheap amp/speakers save your money and get yourself a usb 'hifi link!