Hopefully the title grabbed your attention and you think: "what on earth is he on about".... well let me explain...

We recently took delivery of the new Musical Fidelity V-90DAC,

As with any new toys that arrive we can't wait to get them out and give them a test. I thought that as the V-90 would be mainly used with moderate systems that I would test it using the Sonos Connect with an Arcam A19 amp and KEF LS50 speakers.

I decided to use the Sonos as a source as this is the kind of thing that can really benefit from a helping hand in the digital to analogue conversion department, as well as the benefits of being able to plug other things into it like your TV, SKY box, Blu-ray player, PC or any other streamer like a Squeezebox.

It's surprising how many people already have a DAC with a component nearby with a digital or USB output that is not plugged into the DAC! The TV I would say is the most common, it can make massive improvements to the sound of the TV by putting it through the hi-fi (as long as the layout lends itself to it of course - mine does!).

Hang on - I'm getting to Ann.........

So - got it all fired up...

Playing the Sonos through the system on it's own at first gave surprisingly good results from spotify and from our higher rate ripped music, I then swapped over to using the DAC (connected with QED standard optical cable)....and what a difference!!!!

Here is where Ms Widdecombe comes in.....

It's often very difficult to express in words how something sounds or how you felt when listening to music, what can I compare it to??... then I suddenly thought ..... what starts this weekend??????

the Nation's favourite sequined celebrity humilation festival that is STRICTLY!!

ahhhhh - the penny drops ....

It is quite simply the same as listening to the judges comments after watching Louis Smith (and for those of you that say you have not seen the programme and don't know who he is - nobody believes you!) compared to good old Ann. They will say that Louis has wonderful timing with a flow that is smooth and elegant and they would love to see it again, whereas Ann managed to get through the performance but you wouldn't really want to watch it again - feet not in time with music and so on - you get the idea........ the Sonos on it's own sounds ponderous and a bit flat compared to the DAC which suddenly brings a whole different feel to the music.

The interesting thing is that you realise the information is actually there but the internals of the Sonos are just not up to the level of a decent external DAC, then of course you realise that the other components you have with digital outputs will also get the same improvement...... a bargain really!..

And that is how you connect a Privy Councillor to hi-fi!!

If you would like to read more about the bits and jitters etc. here's a link to the MF webpage: http://www.musicalfidelity.com/v90-dac/

Or why not call in for a listen yourself....

more bizzare connections coming soon.......