Set Up and Listening:

The V-DAC II was a snap to install. Simply plug in your USB, Coax, or Toslink cable, connect the wal wart power supply and off you go. I first used my Squeezebox Touch, connected via DH Labs Toslink cable, and then my Marantz 5003 CD player connected via DH Labs coaxial cable.  Functionally, there is a toggle switch between SPDIF and USB inputs.  The V-DAC's layout is a bit unusual in that the digital inputs and analog outputs are on opposite sides of the brick shaped chassis. I ended up laying it on its narrow side, with the digital inputs facing me, so I could see the LED indicators for power and incoming signal.  I later decided to lay it on its broad side as well. I used a pair of Kimber HB Hero interconnects, which fed a Marantz PM6004 integrated amplifier (review forthcoming).

Switching between the generally good sounding analog outputs of the Squeezebox Touch to the V-DAC II was like going from a distant AM radio signal to full on High Definition Digital FM. There was loads of space around instruments, a delicate, detailed top end, and a beautifully transparent midrange.  It was obvious to me there was no going back to the Touch’s analog outputs. I did multiple comparisons using various recordings, and the results were the same.

Using the Marantz CD5003 yielded similar results. Switching back and forth between the player's analog outputs and the V-DAC II, I was able to pick out the V-DAC II’s superior transparency every time. On discs ranging from Olabelle’s Neon Blue Bird to Anoushaka Shankar’s Traveller, there was an improved delicacy on acoustic instruments and voices, and deep bass was taught and articulate.  On heavier, rocking albums like The Who’s Quadrophenia (2011 Super Deluxe Version), and Queen’s The Game (2011 remaster), the drums had visceral impact, and electric guitars had real crunch and presence. Roger Daltry’s and Freddie Mercury’s vocals were amazingly detailed and present.

Routing various digital sources through the V-DAC II seemed to remove a layer of haze, and it was like looking through a newly cleaned window. This effect was consistent no matter the source material or component. A pretty neat trick for a $350 DAC, but I should not be surprised considering what Musical Fidelity has done in the past.

Using the USB input was also a snap. I ran a Belkin Gold USB cable from my Dell Netbook, using the Windows XP dbPoweramp for playback of FLAC files.  I simply selected the V-DAC II as the output device and decided what music to play.  I had the HDTracks.com 96 Khz / 24 bit download of Fleetwood Mac’s classic Rumours, and a sampling of high resolution files from MA Recordings. I was not prepared for how good the USB input sounded.  There was a solidity, dimension, and authority to the sound that was easy to hear. It is hard to believe this level of sonic performance is possible at this price point.

Conclusion:

Musical Fidelity has been in the game of high-end audio for decades, and as a matter of fact, they are also pioneers in digital playback. They brought to market one of the first outboard DAC units, and their disc players have always been cutting edge. The V Series is clearly a resounding success, and has allowed budget audiophiles to experience true high-end sound. Musical Fidelity has done this by dispensing with fancy casework and luxury features, which has allowed them to focus on parts quality and circuit design.

I had heard through the grapevine that the V-DAC II was a great sounding DAC, but it actually surpassed my expectations, and then some. All three inputs performed superbly, and quite frankly, it brought my Squeezebox Touch up to the level of a really fine CD player or computer audio set up. I don’t see any other product on the market at the $350 price point that is offering asynchronous USB, upsampling to 192 Khz and 24 bits on all inputs, and has the V-DAC II's measurement specs.  For tweakers, Musical Fidelity offers the V-PSU II external power supply upgrade as well. There is also a third party power supply available from Audio Advisor.

I hope to review more Musical Fidelity products in the future.  If they are as fun, great sounding, and as easy to integrate as the V-DAC II, it will hardly be work. Musical Fidelity has already begun to establish itself in what most in the audiophile community consider to be the future of music playback: streaming audio. Their new M1 CLiC digital hub looks incredibly interesting, and we can only guess what else is coming down the pike. As for the V-DAC II, it would be a steal at double the price, and can only bettered by spending four or five times as much. 

Highly recommended, and a candidate for audio product of the year in my book.

Specifications

Review System 1

Review System 2

Comments

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Enrique   |2011-12-14 19:18:12 Hey there!Is it as good or better than the Arcam rDAC? 0   0

Andre Marc   |2011-12-15 18:53:25 Hi Enrique: Both the MF V-DAC II and the Arcam rDAC are amazing values. They both sound great, and both offer high quality USB inputs and good design. 0   0

steven elliot  - Channel Islands versus   |2011-12-17 09:56:55 Hi, I am definitely seeking a 24/96 capable DAC. The Channel Islands became your reference DAC. Is it still your reference? Might you offer a brief list of the best sub $1,000 Dacs in the running? Thank you. 1   0

Andre Marc  - Sub $1000 DACs   |2011-12-18 13:58:50 Hi Steven: Yes, the CIA DAC is still a reference. It a few years old but still sounds excellent. Maybe the only factor that some might consider is a lack of a USB input, if you happen to care. Sub $1000 DACs to consider, aside from the V-DAC II and CIA- Arcam rDAC: $449 Lindemann 192 Khz DAC: $995 SIMAudio Moon 100D: $599 Schitt Audio Bifrost: $350 (+100 for USB) Cambridge Audio DacMagic: Centrance DACMini CX: $800 Some others I have not heard, that should be considered: Peachtree DACiT Rega DAC Musical Fidelity M1A Monarchy Combo 0   0

George Denver  - U are yet to hear MF V-DAC II's full potential.   |2012-04-18 03:39:46 Hello Andre, Reviewing the MF V-DAC II without it's upgraded power supply V-PSU II is like driving a formula 1 car with low octane petrol & still praising it's capabilities as opposed to appreciating it's performance at full potential. The switch mode power supply (wall wart) that comes with the MF V-DAC II is a joke. Replacing it with a transformer based V-PSU II takes the MF V-DAC II to another level. The difference is night & day. The third party power supply from Audio Advisor may be an upgrade to the free wall wart but it is in no way better than the MF V-PSU II. You just get what you pay for. With the MF V-PSU II you get the best transformer based power supply & U also get further options of tweaking that includes the C7 (figure 8) powercord, link cable & internal fuse. It's a cost that is truly well spent & totally worth the effort. Brgds. 0   0

marco angel  - vdac with squeezebox   |2012-10-10 12:49:10 i have an squeezebox duet, with optical and coaxial outputs, also is supposed to have a variable volume output through the rca and digital outputs, for me is quite convenient to just conect the SB directly to an margules ADE to open more the musicality, and then directly to the amps with an b&w 803s. My concern is if i could do the same conecting via coaxial de SB to de vdac and managing the volume output via de SB. Hope you can help me with that Greetings from mexico!!! 2   0

Fredrik  - George Denver V-PSU tweaking??   |2013-04-08 16:11:29 Gerorge can you please tell me what fuse you have to change and to what sort, and do you got any tip of the link cable btw the V-dac and the V-PSU in better quality? Best regards Fredrik 0   0

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