Musical Fidelity
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC
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V90-DAC - DAC
The V90-DAC is a DAC designed to deliver stunning sound quality with a wide range of sources.
Our aim with the V90-DAC was, on balance, to make the best DAC in the world without breaking the bank.
Examine any high-end DAC, and the first thing you see is massive casework. As far as we are aware, this contributes nothing to its technical or sonic performance. Take the top off, and in most cases you will find a complex layout that suggests performance. However, further analysis will show that the real work of signal handling and data conversion is done by a dozen or so components. The rest is decoration, designed to suggest competence. These observations formed the basis for the V90-DAC concept.
We wanted to build the best DAC in the world, but to sell it at a fair price. Using state-of-the-art design techniques and components, we set out to design a DAC to produce top-notch technical performance – housed in a modest, reasonably priced package.
The V90-DAC has a balance of measurements: distortion, noise, linearity, bandwidth, and phase, which in their totality are not significantly bettered by any product at any price.
If you hunt around, you may find the occasional DAC that claims to have slightly better performance than the V90-DAC in one area or another, but in totality will not exceed it. There are plenty of competitors shouting about their new, wonderful version of the emperor’s new clothes, but they offer little or nothing in real performance to back up their claims. Just lots of talk about subjective this or that, but all of it is just a matter of opinion.
The V90-DAC is a matter of fact. Its technical and sonic performance is superlative. There are better DACs but they may cost twenty or thirty times more.
Buying the V90-DAC is your personal statement of independence from overhyped claims.
V90-DAC D/A converter in brief
- Exceptional technical performance combined with value for money
- Multiple digital inputs – coax, 2 x optical and asynchronous USB
- Low output impedance
- 32bit DAC
- 24bit 192kHz re-clocking and up-sampling on all inputs
- Extended linearity
- Outstanding channel separation
- Beautiful, considered build quality
REVIEW & AWARDS
Musical Fidelity V90 DAC review - Read More
"A well-priced, well-featured DAC that’s a pleasant listen, but far from the last word in outright entertainment" - What Hi-Fi?
Musical Fidelity V90 DAC - Read More
"So, whether you are a new-comer wishing to dip a toe in the murky waters of USB audio, or a seasoned silver spinner, the V-90 DAC will prove to be ideal. Apart from its rewarding high res. capability, it has the potential to give cherished old CDs a new lease of life in ripped format, or via a conventional CD transport or player – and all for the bargain price of £199. What’s not to like?" - Dave Berriman
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC D/A processor - Read More
"My head is spinning. I haven't even opened the 23-CD Leon Fleisher box. Compared to the V-DAC II, the V90 DAC offers still greater low-level resolution, superior dynamics, and fatigue-free listening. It does space and place particularly well, and really shines with brass, where lesser DACs tend to turn dull. The Brass Ear would love it." - Sam Tellig, John Atkinson
Musical Fidelity V90-AMP and V90-DAC - Read More
"Fleshing out details otherwise missed is what any worthy budget DAC does best, and the V90-DAC performs this admirably. With this DAC, Musical Fidelity chose to focus on musical fundamentals, thus avoiding the budget trap of doing one thing great at the expense of others, and creating an excellent balance. Upper frequencies are particularly well resolved, even with the most difficult musical presentations. The V90-DAC’s performance makes it a piece of gear worthy of serious consideration, regardless of budget. Don’t let the diminutive size fool you!
Overall, these components make for an excellent, practical, and small-footprint solution for the home office, or for those with serious space constraints" - Mark Marcantonio
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter - Read More
"I liked Musical Fidelity’s V90-DAC. I felt it offered a level of performance that other similarly priced DACs have not quite attained in my system. Its sound was robust and full, with a delightful sense of air. Over the past few years I’ve heard any number of DACs, mostly due to a friend’s quest for one whose sound he might really like. I think the V90-DAC is the best I’ve heard -- and it’s a total bargain. If you’re looking for a good, solid, reasonably priced, well-designed and -engineered, high-performance outboard digital-to-analog converter, I can’t think of a better buy." - Thom Moon
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC: Upgrade Your Sound Quality For $300 - Read More
"The improvement in sound from using an external DAC isn’t as noticeable as changing speakers, say, but it is noticeable. The audio is, generally, less harsh, more realistic sounding. If you’ve already got some speakers that you like, and a headphone amp or receiver, it’s worth checking out a DAC like the V90. $300 isn’t a lot to upgrade your sound. Or as Brent put it, “The V90-DAC is a very nice-sounding DAC for its price, a great way to get real audiophile-quality stereo sound from a mass-market Blu-ray player, a satellite receiver or cable box, or a laptop computer." - Geoffrey Morrison
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC – Smooth, natural and spacious - Read More
"Musical Fidelity proves it. Even in the class up to 500 euros - in this case even for just over half that amount - it is possible to present a musical, smooth, rich and natural sounding DAC. A DAC that converts all offered signals to 24 bit 192 kHz, also the signals that are offered via asynchronous USB 96 kHz. A product like this, especially for this price, can only be showered with compliments. Both in terms of sound and build quality and possibilities. I take my hat off to Musical Fidelity!" - Jan de Jeu
Hi-Fi Critic No3/2013
"This exceptional product is wholeheartedly recommended"
Audio 09/13
"A very good sound, many connection options and now hi-fi optics." - Christine Tantschinez
HIFI einsnull 06/13
"The small box sounds extremely good and outacts the predecessor easily." - Christian Rechenbach
Stereo 07/14
"All this at the combat price with proper processing - compliment!" - Michael Lang
SPECIFICATIONS
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