Musical Fidelity V-LINK192 - Manual

V-LINK

192

Asynchronous 24bit 192KHz USB to SPDIF Converter

Instructions

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the V-LINK

I92

asynchronous 24 bit

192kHZ USB to SPDIF converter. This unit is host
computer-powered and features galvanic isolation of the
digital outputs for optimum noise free digital signal transfer.

It is designed for all sample frequencies up to and including
192kHz. This enables high sample rate source material to
be reproduced with stunning detail and clarity. We sincerely
hope that it will bring you many years of outstanding
listening pleasure.

Installation Precautions

Your new V-LINK

I92

is designed and built to provide

trouble-free performance, but as with all electronic devices,
it is necessary to observe a few precautions:
Do not use the V-LINK

I92

near water. The unit must not be

exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects filled with
liquids, such as vases, must be placed on the unit.
Keep the V-LINK

I92

away from heat such as radiators. No

naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be
placed on the unit.

Power Supply Note:

The V-LINK

I92

does not require a power supply; instead it

automatically draws a small amount of operating power
from the computer USB port it connects to.

This Hi-fi product has been tested to ensure that its
operation is not adversely affected by normal background
levels of Radio Frequency Interference (R.F.I.), and that it
does not itself generate excessive amounts of interference.
However, if a problem persists, please contact your Musical
Fidelity agent.
Never open the case of the V-LINK

I92

yourself, as this will

invalidate the guarantee.
Place all connecting cables where they are not likely to be
walked on or trapped by items placed on them.
The V-LINK

I92

will operate in accordance with its

specifications within the following environmental range:

Temperature 5 to 45 degrees Celsius
Humidity 10 to 90% non condensing

There are no user adjustments inside. Please refer all
service work to an authorised Musical Fidelity agent.

Front and back connections

USB input

Lock LED (Green)

Power LED (Blue)

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4,
192kHz incoming sample

rate LEDs

Connections

USB input
For Windows, it is necessary to install a driver for this unit before
connecting the input. Insert the disk into the computer to be used and
follow the onscreen guides to setup the driver software. The software
will advise when to connect the device.
Apple OSX or later has the necessary functionality built-in; and does
not require driver disk.
A good quality USB 2.0 A to B cable is required to connect the unit to
the computer.
Further advanced information not included here is available on the disk
in the form of a PDF document. To read it, Adobe PDF reader must be
installed on the machine.
Outputs
Connect the V-LINK

I92

output to the digital input of a DAC or other

digital media system. It is advisable to have any subsequently
connected amplifier turned down or off at this point. Coaxial (RCA) or
balanced (XLR) may be used. Files sampled up to and including
192kHz, are supported and the unit has the added advantage of
inherent galvanic isolation between computer and hi-fi equipment. This
helps avoid ground loops.
Power
The unit draws it’s power requirement from the USB host i.e. the
computer to which it is attached. The blue LED will light to confirm the
unit is receiving power, and the green LED will be lit once the unit is
correctly detected by the computer. A sample rate LED will light to
indicate when music is playing, and indicate the current sampling
frequency.
Use
Turn the volume on amplifier to normal listening levels, sit back and
enjoy the music. This product has been designed so it may be left on
indefinitely.

Please note, no sample rate

conversion

takes place in this unit, lower

sample rate files, e.g. CD-originated music are simply passed through
at their original sample rate. Other file types such as MP3, WAV, FLAC,
AAC, etc are passed through with the same sample rated as stored on
the computer.

Additional information

This device has been designed to work with Windows XP (SP3),
Windows VISTA, Windows 7, Linux (kernel 2.6.33 or later), and Apple
OS X 10.6.4 onwards.
A guide PDF is included if required on the CD. To view the PDF you will
need adobe acrobat reader installed. Use explorer to view the contents
of the CD ROM and view the additional guide by clicking on the
Installing_VLink file.
For the other supported (non-Windows) operating systems, the
computer drivers for the USB input of the V-LINK

192

should install

automatically. To check correct installation follow these steps:
PC Windows users
Check the computer has picked up the device and is currently using it
by clicking: (most Windows versions)

-

Start

-

Settings

-

Control panel

-

Sounds and Multimedia

-

Audio

Check “Musical Fidelity VLINK” appears under PREFERRED AUDIO
DEVICE tab
Mac users
Check the computer has picked up the device and is currently using it
by clicking: (MAC OS X)

-

System preferences

-

Hardware

-

Sound

Check that “Musical Fidelity VLINK 192” is selected under the OUTPUT
tab.
If the computer’s warning sounds/chimes are to played through the
DAC, make sure it is selected under the SOUND EFFECTS tab too.

This device is a high speed serial data processor, and by its nature,

requires a very high volume of USB bandwidth. It will benefit greatly

from being the only device connected on its USB ‘port’. Sharing the

same port with other devices may cause unwanted artefacts such as

dropouts or temporary loss of signal. This especially includes the use of

the DAC on a USB hub/splitter alongside other USB components.

Digital Coaxial output RCA

Digital balanced AES/EBU Output XLR