dCS Varese short review

[Charles S]

I'm sorry, i don't get your point with so much contradictions and mere speculations..
Updated system is yours?

Stereophonic, I appreciate your reply very much. Yes, the updated system is mine. I am a retired ER doc who has been in the high end as a layperson for over 60 years. I am also an expert roller skater and extremely physically fit. I treadmaill 48 miles weekly and skate 6-8 hours on the floor every week. I skate with some of the best skaters in America.

To your reply, certainly you understand from my absurd cartoon analogy, that the more complex a piece is the more likely it is to malfunction. I know this because I live in the real world and listen to music on my system for hours on end everyday 365 days out of the year. I have invested in my system about 850K. It is extremely cost effective. If I have an issue I have a direct access to McIntosh, Audioquest, or Wilson. My XVX has numbers 39 and forty on the left and right speakers respectively. I know the regional sales manager for Audioquest who offered me the custom made 1-meter Wel AES cable already at the store as a loner, fully returnable, if I didn't want it. I have good friends at both Wilson and McIntosh who are available to me with a phone call or email. Recently, one of the meters went bad on a 1.25KW which is over 7 years old, also a tube in my 3500. I was sent a new meter immediately from Mcintosh and a tube, at no charge. The meters are 1K and the tube 128 dollars. I have over 100 El509S output tubes in a closet.

I have had significantly reliability issues with my left 3500 because of poorly manufactured initial EL509S output tubes. The problem has been rectified but I have the 1.25KW's as general backups for my 3500's and my MC2.1KW. At the store one of their 2.1KW's was having a meter issue. I have an excellent backup in my MVP881 BR player which can play SACD's and has an excellent DAC.

I trust your ears that the Varese sounds great, but it decidedly would not be for me. It is designed for a system in the 2–3-million-dollar range and if I had that kind of money, I would have an excellent backup DAC. These new DAC's are IMO way over the top, way overly complex, totally impractical, but undeniably sound the best (I take your word for this), providing you want to have a custom room and surrounding gear like reference Dag amplification, etc. The ancillary wires in such a system will be 300K and you will want Subsonics with the XVX with the proper amplification. I use a MC2.1KW with my Thor which is 6 dB more sensitive than a Subsonic. I have learned that the amplification and wires to a subwoofer system are as important as with the main, so I use the very best that I can afford. I have bass blasts that require 2K watts at least from my Thor/2.1KW. You will need at the very least two mono Relentless 800's to properly drive your Subsonics. I could go on, but building out a high-end system around a Varese will cost 2 million dollars at least and this doesn't count the vinyl, which would be an additional 500K at least.

But here's the catch. None of you will ever own such a system. You only hear brief excerpts at a showroom for a few hours, and this system may not have had the Subsonics. I love the sound of my tubes with my XVX and the blend I have achieved between my Thor and XVX is perfect to my ears. I wouldn't trade it even money for the Varese system transported into in my room. It will be far too complex and unreliable for me, and I love the sound I have achieved with my tubes. With my 3500, I can take it to Nashville Amplifier Service, 12 miles away and 2 miles from my dealer and have the amp repaired and returned the next day for an additional 140 dollars. They fixed the meter on my 1.25KW and it was returned in a week by my dealer, but I haven't even hooked it up to verify the meter is working. I'm certain it will be.

Reliability, practically, and simplicity are extremely important for any high-end system., especially if you actually listen to it for hours on end and own it. It is very nice to know you, i.e., make your acquaintance.

p.s. I omitted an AQ Dragon 2-meter source power cord to my recently ordered gear. The wires are far more expensive than the gear.

All the best

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

Gear on Order: Hi Fi Rose 130RS Network Transport; Samsung internal SSD; Audioquest Wel Signature digital balanced 1-meter IC; Audioquest Diamond 1.5 meter USB cable; Audioquest Dragon 2-meter source power cord; HDMI cable 24’ for music videos

Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An
Preamp: C-12000 An
Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; Lenovo Yoga laptop
Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX
Sub-Woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables Main System AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital, Coffee digital coaxial cables; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon (5 HC, 3 source cords); Thunder & Monsoon power cords
Cables Subwoofer System AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC to ActivXO; Hurricane HC; Firebird HC; Firebird Source; Dragon HC, power cords
Power Conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000; Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines.
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD)
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes

 

[hifirabbit]

Stereophonic, I appreciate your reply very much. Yes, the updated system is mine. I am a retired ER doc who has been in the high end as a layperson for over 60 years. I am also an expert roller skater and extremely physically fit. I treadmaill 48 miles weekly and skate 6-8 hours on the floor every week. I skate with some of the best skaters in America.

To your reply, certainly you understand from my absurd cartoon analogy, that the more complex a piece is the more likely it is to malfunction. I know this because I live in the real world and listen to music on my system for hours on end everyday 365 days out of the year. I have invested in my system about 850K. It is extremely cost effective. If I have an issue I have a direct access to McIntosh, Audioquest, or Wilson. My XVX has numbers 39 and forty on the left and right speakers respectively. I know the regional sales manager for Audioquest who offered me the custom made 1-meter Wel AES cable already at the store as a loner, fully returnable, if I didn't want it. I have good friends at both Wilson and McIntosh who are available to me with a phone call or email. Recently, one of the meters went bad on a 1.25KW which is over 7 years old, also a tube in my 3500. I was sent a new meter immediately from Mcintosh and a tube, at no charge. The meters are 1K and the tube 128 dollars. I have over 100 El509S output tubes in a closet.

I have had significantly reliability issues with my left 3500 because of poorly manufactured initial EL509S output tubes. The problem has been rectified but I have the 1.25KW's as general backups for my 3500's and my MC2.1KW. At the store one of their 2.1KW's was having a meter issue. I have an excellent backup in my MVP881 BR player which can play SACD's and has an excellent DAC.

I trust your ears that the Varese sounds great, but it decidedly would not be for me. It is designed for a system in the 2–3-million-dollar range and if I had that kind of money, I would have an excellent backup DAC. These new DAC's are IMO way over the top, way overly complex, totally impractical, but undeniably sound the best (I take your word for this), providing you want to have a custom room and surrounding gear like reference Dag amplification, etc. The ancillary wires in such a system will be 300K and you will want Subsonics with the XVX with the proper amplification. I use a MC2.1KW with my Thor which is 6 dB more sensitive than a Subsonic. I have learned that the amplification and wires to a subwoofer system are as important as with the main, so I use the very best that I can afford. I have bass blasts that require 2K watts at least from my Thor/2.1KW. You will need at the very least two mono Relentless 800's to properly drive your Subsonics. I could go on, but building out a high-end system around a Varese will cost 2 million dollars at least and this doesn't count the vinyl, which would be an additional 500K at least.

But here's the catch. None of you will ever own such a system. You only hear brief excerpts at a showroom for a few hours, and this system may not have had the Subsonics. I love the sound of my tubes with my XVX and the blend I have achieved between my Thor and XVX is perfect to my ears. I wouldn't trade it even money for the Varese system transported into in my room. It will be far too complex and unreliable for me, and I love the sound I have achieved with my tubes. With my 3500, I can take it to Nashville Amplifier Service, 12 miles away and 2 miles from my dealer and have the amp repaired and returned the next day for an additional 140 dollars. They fixed the meter on my 1.25KW and it was returned in a week by my dealer, but I haven't even hooked it up to verify the meter is working. I'm certain it will be.

Reliability, practically, and simplicity are extremely important for any high-end system., especially if you actually listen to it for hours on end and own it. It is very nice to know you, i.e., make your acquaintance.

p.s. I omitted an AQ Dragon 2-meter source power cord to my recently ordered gear. The wires are far more expensive than the gear.

All the best

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

Gear on Order: Hi Fi Rose 130RS Network Transport; Samsung internal SSD; Audioquest Wel Signature digital balanced 1-meter IC; Audioquest Diamond 1.5 meter USB cable; Audioquest Dragon 2-meter source power cord; HDMI cable 24’ for music videos

Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An
Preamp: C-12000 An
Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; Lenovo Yoga laptop
Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX
Sub-Woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables Main System AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital, Coffee digital coaxial cables; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon (5 HC, 3 source cords); Thunder & Monsoon power cords
Cables Subwoofer System AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC to ActivXO; Hurricane HC; Firebird HC; Firebird Source; Dragon HC, power cords
Power Conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000; Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines.
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD)
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes

Hi Charles,
Great system you have assembled
Just a correction, the DCS Varese system includes the necessary Actus cables for connection. So no extra money.
Actually, you would have to spend less on cables with the Varese than a DCS Vavaldi 4 stack.
I just don’t understand why you are so negative on the DCS Varese. The Varese and the Wadax are probably the current contenders for state of the art.
If you add the Varese or Wadax or Taiko Olympus or MSB Cascade or Lampizator Horizon 360 to your current system, I guarantee that you will make a very significant jump in sound that will please you.
Improvements of the source usually pays greater dividends. It is a s good as the last link.
Regards

 

[buzzlulu]

Just a correction, the DCS Varese system includes the necessary Actus cables for connection. So no extra money.
Actually, you would have to spend less on cables with the Varese than a DCS Vavaldi 4 stack

Unfortunately, this will ultimately not be true
I have spoken with several individuals (let’s just say “connected”) who have told me third-party manufacturers will be working on cable alternatives.

Unfortunately the “game” continues

 

[Lee]

DCs is losing market customers, and its bet to Varèse is crucial for the brand's future. It needs to achieve visibility and results quickly.
I know the pressure they put on their distributors is very big, so I'm not surprised to see Varèse in any system in a showroom.
I'm talking from business view of the industry, i'm sure Varèse will be a nice choice for many people.

It’s hard to provide evidence dCS is losing market share. There has been a strong entry by Wadax but dealers I speak with report strong sales by dCS. I think the Lina and Bartok have been particularly good.

One would have to know how much the high end dac market is growing, if any, and what percent of the market Wadax and dCS have.

 

[Lee]

Stereophonic, I appreciate your reply very much. Yes, the updated system is mine. I am a retired ER doc who has been in the high end as a layperson for over 60 years. I am also an expert roller skater and extremely physically fit. I treadmaill 48 miles weekly and skate 6-8 hours on the floor every week. I skate with some of the best skaters in America.

To your reply, certainly you understand from my absurd cartoon analogy, that the more complex a piece is the more likely it is to malfunction. I know this because I live in the real world and listen to music on my system for hours on end everyday 365 days out of the year. I have invested in my system about 850K. It is extremely cost effective. If I have an issue I have a direct access to McIntosh, Audioquest, or Wilson. My XVX has numbers 39 and forty on the left and right speakers respectively. I know the regional sales manager for Audioquest who offered me the custom made 1-meter Wel AES cable already at the store as a loner, fully returnable, if I didn't want it. I have good friends at both Wilson and McIntosh who are available to me with a phone call or email. Recently, one of the meters went bad on a 1.25KW which is over 7 years old, also a tube in my 3500. I was sent a new meter immediately from Mcintosh and a tube, at no charge. The meters are 1K and the tube 128 dollars. I have over 100 El509S output tubes in a closet.

I have had significantly reliability issues with my left 3500 because of poorly manufactured initial EL509S output tubes. The problem has been rectified but I have the 1.25KW's as general backups for my 3500's and my MC2.1KW. At the store one of their 2.1KW's was having a meter issue. I have an excellent backup in my MVP881 BR player which can play SACD's and has an excellent DAC.

I trust your ears that the Varese sounds great, but it decidedly would not be for me. It is designed for a system in the 2–3-million-dollar range and if I had that kind of money, I would have an excellent backup DAC. These new DAC's are IMO way over the top, way overly complex, totally impractical, but undeniably sound the best (I take your word for this), providing you want to have a custom room and surrounding gear like reference Dag amplification, etc. The ancillary wires in such a system will be 300K and you will want Subsonics with the XVX with the proper amplification. I use a MC2.1KW with my Thor which is 6 dB more sensitive than a Subsonic. I have learned that the amplification and wires to a subwoofer system are as important as with the main, so I use the very best that I can afford. I have bass blasts that require 2K watts at least from my Thor/2.1KW. You will need at the very least two mono Relentless 800's to properly drive your Subsonics. I could go on, but building out a high-end system around a Varese will cost 2 million dollars at least and this doesn't count the vinyl, which would be an additional 500K at least.

But here's the catch. None of you will ever own such a system. You only hear brief excerpts at a showroom for a few hours, and this system may not have had the Subsonics. I love the sound of my tubes with my XVX and the blend I have achieved between my Thor and XVX is perfect to my ears. I wouldn't trade it even money for the Varese system transported into in my room. It will be far too complex and unreliable for me, and I love the sound I have achieved with my tubes. With my 3500, I can take it to Nashville Amplifier Service, 12 miles away and 2 miles from my dealer and have the amp repaired and returned the next day for an additional 140 dollars. They fixed the meter on my 1.25KW and it was returned in a week by my dealer, but I haven't even hooked it up to verify the meter is working. I'm certain it will be.

Reliability, practically, and simplicity are extremely important for any high-end system., especially if you actually listen to it for hours on end and own it. It is very nice to know you, i.e., make your acquaintance.

p.s. I omitted an AQ Dragon 2-meter source power cord to my recently ordered gear. The wires are far more expensive than the gear.

All the best

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

Gear on Order: Hi Fi Rose 130RS Network Transport; Samsung internal SSD; Audioquest Wel Signature digital balanced 1-meter IC; Audioquest Diamond 1.5 meter USB cable; Audioquest Dragon 2-meter source power cord; HDMI cable 24’ for music videos

Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An
Preamp: C-12000 An
Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; Lenovo Yoga laptop
Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX
Sub-Woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables Main System AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital, Coffee digital coaxial cables; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon (5 HC, 3 source cords); Thunder & Monsoon power cords
Cables Subwoofer System AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC to ActivXO; Hurricane HC; Firebird HC; Firebird Source; Dragon HC, power cords
Power Conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000; Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines.
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD)
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes

If one is focused on just digital and has a reference level or near reference level dac with trade in value then Varese would work in systems $250K and higher. Having a state of the art source is a helluva drug!

 

[microstrip]

Sure. But don't from Lotus Hifi ( London).

Great to know that 2015 dCS units are still worth this high price - most DACs of this age are worth maximum 25% of this value. But you could also refer that it is an almost one year ago advertisement, not current, that could be also found in the dCS forum. Before Brexit I have bought goods from them.

We can expect to see some Vivaldi DACs for sale - it is a proof of their success along the years. Audiophiles change and some of them also change brand. Surely this could have turned against dCS before the Varese - the competition could valuate highly the dCS equipment in part exchanges. Expensive audio has some similitude with cars ...

Some people may ask why we always find a lot of Audio Research and McIntosh equipment in used lists - there is a simple answer - they sold a lot more than others!

 

[microstrip]

(...) I think the Lina and Bartok have been particularly good.

Yes, it also happened in my country. Even the distributor was not expecting such success, considering the price.

One would have to know how much the high end dac market is growing, if any, and what percent of the market Wadax and dCS have.

Don't expect it. And nowadays Asia Pacific and Europe together buy more than the US.

 

[thedudeabides]

I have invested in my system about 850K. It is extremely cost effective.

Hi Charles,

Can you please explain to me or the average lay person or your typical DIY audiophile or someone who has an audio system costing less than say six figures, all of whom are music lovers and daily music listeners, the following:

How is having $850K invested in an audio system extremely cost effective? And in a more general context, what are the typical characteristics of a non-cost effective system? Thanks in advance and glad you are happy with your system. Best.

 

[Stereophonic]

Great to know that 2015 dCS units are still worth this high price - most DACs of this age are worth maximum 25% of this value. But you could also refer that it is an almost one year ago advertisement, not current, that could be also found in the dCS forum. Before Brexit I have bought goods from them.

We can expect to see some Vivaldi DACs for sale - it is a proof of their success along the years. Audiophiles change and some of them also change brand. Surely this could have turned against dCS before the Varese - the competition could valuate highly the dCS equipment in part exchanges. Expensive audio has some similitude with cars ...

Some people may ask why we always find a lot of Audio Research and McIntosh equipment in used lists - there is a simple answer - they sold a lot more than others!

I wasn't talking about resale.
Lotus Hifi (London) left the brand in the heart of DCs home..
At least, relevant how audio is changing...

 

[microstrip]

I wasn't talking about resale.
Lotus Hifi (London) left the brand in the heart of DCs home..
At least, relevant how audio is changing...

The heart of dCS home ...

 

[Stereophonic]

Stereophonic, I appreciate your reply very much. Yes, the updated system is mine. I am a retired ER doc who has been in the high end as a layperson for over 60 years. I am also an expert roller skater and extremely physically fit. I treadmaill 48 miles weekly and skate 6-8 hours on the floor every week. I skate with some of the best skaters in America.

To your reply, certainly you understand from my absurd cartoon analogy, that the more complex a piece is the more likely it is to malfunction. I know this because I live in the real world and listen to music on my system for hours on end everyday 365 days out of the year. I have invested in my system about 850K. It is extremely cost effective. If I have an issue I have a direct access to McIntosh, Audioquest, or Wilson. My XVX has numbers 39 and forty on the left and right speakers respectively. I know the regional sales manager for Audioquest who offered me the custom made 1-meter Wel AES cable already at the store as a loner, fully returnable, if I didn't want it. I have good friends at both Wilson and McIntosh who are available to me with a phone call or email. Recently, one of the meters went bad on a 1.25KW which is over 7 years old, also a tube in my 3500. I was sent a new meter immediately from Mcintosh and a tube, at no charge. The meters are 1K and the tube 128 dollars. I have over 100 El509S output tubes in a closet.

I have had significantly reliability issues with my left 3500 because of poorly manufactured initial EL509S output tubes. The problem has been rectified but I have the 1.25KW's as general backups for my 3500's and my MC2.1KW. At the store one of their 2.1KW's was having a meter issue. I have an excellent backup in my MVP881 BR player which can play SACD's and has an excellent DAC.

I trust your ears that the Varese sounds great, but it decidedly would not be for me. It is designed for a system in the 2–3-million-dollar range and if I had that kind of money, I would have an excellent backup DAC. These new DAC's are IMO way over the top, way overly complex, totally impractical, but undeniably sound the best (I take your word for this), providing you want to have a custom room and surrounding gear like reference Dag amplification, etc. The ancillary wires in such a system will be 300K and you will want Subsonics with the XVX with the proper amplification. I use a MC2.1KW with my Thor which is 6 dB more sensitive than a Subsonic. I have learned that the amplification and wires to a subwoofer system are as important as with the main, so I use the very best that I can afford. I have bass blasts that require 2K watts at least from my Thor/2.1KW. You will need at the very least two mono Relentless 800's to properly drive your Subsonics. I could go on, but building out a high-end system around a Varese will cost 2 million dollars at least and this doesn't count the vinyl, which would be an additional 500K at least.

But here's the catch. None of you will ever own such a system. You only hear brief excerpts at a showroom for a few hours, and this system may not have had the Subsonics. I love the sound of my tubes with my XVX and the blend I have achieved between my Thor and XVX is perfect to my ears. I wouldn't trade it even money for the Varese system transported into in my room. It will be far too complex and unreliable for me, and I love the sound I have achieved with my tubes. With my 3500, I can take it to Nashville Amplifier Service, 12 miles away and 2 miles from my dealer and have the amp repaired and returned the next day for an additional 140 dollars. They fixed the meter on my 1.25KW and it was returned in a week by my dealer, but I haven't even hooked it up to verify the meter is working. I'm certain it will be.

Reliability, practically, and simplicity are extremely important for any high-end system., especially if you actually listen to it for hours on end and own it. It is very nice to know you, i.e., make your acquaintance.

p.s. I omitted an AQ Dragon 2-meter source power cord to my recently ordered gear. The wires are far more expensive than the gear.

All the best

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

Gear on Order: Hi Fi Rose 130RS Network Transport; Samsung internal SSD; Audioquest Wel Signature digital balanced 1-meter IC; Audioquest Diamond 1.5 meter USB cable; Audioquest Dragon 2-meter source power cord; HDMI cable 24’ for music videos

Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An
Preamp: C-12000 An
Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; Lenovo Yoga laptop
Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX
Sub-Woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables Main System AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital, Coffee digital coaxial cables; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon (5 HC, 3 source cords); Thunder & Monsoon power cords
Cables Subwoofer System AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC to ActivXO; Hurricane HC; Firebird HC; Firebird Source; Dragon HC, power cords
Power Conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000; Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines.
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD)
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes

Hi Charles.
I'm glad to know you have so good health. Most important without hesitation.
Your case isn't the common one.
As you say, you have McIntosh because you live near to factory and Audioquest because your relationship with regional sales man.
I've listened first any cable or component before purchase it with no compromise as many others. This is a normal practice.
I don't share your opinion about malfuction.
In any case, the cheaper maybe could be more defective than models we are talking about.
Your problems with amps are due valves are more sensible to have problems than SS, that's it.
850K$ are opened to research about best sinergy in each position. I'm not a one brand guy. But i understand your comfort position.
I'm glad to see how important is power quality for you. It is the blood of the system. Question is it is even more important to a good designer.
So this means more boxes to get better quality power.
Anyway, there are a lot of good tube Dacs.
APL is one the best in one box.
Regards...

 

[Charles S]

First, I appreciated stereophonics very kind replies very much. I have chosen to spend my money on wires and power beginning at the light pole because without this foundation, the rest is severely compromised. I think you all would be happily surprised at the gorgeous sound that I have achieved. DE from Wilson will be hearing my system this spring and we will be going out to dinner afterwards.

I'm actually not negative on the Varese. If I had the money and the room, it would be my choice for a DAC. But I would want a backup if possible. I think we are living in the golden age of the high end. It is not up for debate that gear like the Varese is the absolute best, but with careful gear matching and synergy it is amazing the beauty that can be achieved with a million-dollar or slightly less system.

In regard to cost effectiveness, I have achieved the most beautiful sound in my room imaginable. I couldn't put a price tag on it. I listen to it constantly and never tire of it, probably 3-4 hours every day. My primary amplification and source are about 110K-115K retail and the MCD12000 and C-12000 using the tube output sounds amazing.

The counterpoint is that I have an audiophile buddy who works for Emotiva. We talk constantly. He calls me up all the time, when he is on the road or has a spare minute at work to just talk. He is really into the high end, and he comes over occasionally to try to tweak his system to make it sound more like mine. He uses Revel speakers with aluminum tweeters and has made more room measurements than you can imagine. His wires are totally inexpensive. Recently he now has more money and is talking about a MCD12000. I have never been invited over, and I don't push it.

But I think that with careful planning there are wonderful speakers and gear out there that can achieve amazing sound for much less money than I have spent. As I have said, I truly believe that we are living in the golden age of high-end audio, where amazing results can be achieved. My system is cost effective because I have achieved exactly the sound I have always dreamed of. I'm really looking forward to my streaming installation. I got a tremendous amount of help from the guys on AA. I took all their suggestions and advice. Cost will be about 25K, again very cost effective.

I'll be skating with Antonio the Great early tonight. We are brothers on the floor. He's 34 and I'm 76. He's one of the finest skaters in America and we will be giving a little exhibition for a physician friend of mine who is very sick with pancreatic cancer. Also, possibly with Corissa alias Sunchild who is certainly one of the finest athletes and female skaters in the country, if she will skate with me. I have a wonderful life. I'm a little nervous about tonight.

All the Best

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

Gear on Order: Hi Fi Rose 130RS Network Transport; Samsung internal SSD; Audioquest Wel Signature digital balanced 1-meter IC; Audioquest Diamond 1.5-meter USB cable; Audioquest Dragon 2-meter source power cord; HDMI cable 24’ for music videos

Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An
Preamp: C-12000 An
Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; Lenovo Yoga laptop
Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX
Sub-Woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables Main System AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital, Coffee digital coaxial cables; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon (5 HC, 3 source cords); Thunder & Monsoon power cords
Cables Subwoofer System AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC to ActivXO; Hurricane HC; Firebird HC; Firebird Source; Dragon HC, power cords
Power Conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000; Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines.
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD)
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes

 

[wil]

@Charles S, Do I understand correctly that you put in your own wiring from the Utility transformer to the Utility meter?

Could you share in more detail? Thanks

 

[Holli82]

Unfortunately, this will ultimately not be true
I have spoken with several individuals (let’s just say “connected”) who have told me third-party manufacturers will be working on cable alternatives.

Unfortunately the “game” continues

It never ends....

 

[Charles S]

Stereophonic, I'm headed out the door to the rink but here are some pics. And yes you are essentially correct about the wiring. Ill explaain later with pics. That's Antonio, Ruth, and Corissa. Ruth is a fine skater. Corissa is among the best in the country. That's me and T-Stacks Frank. He's giving me my black Fomac Freestyle vintage wheels. He is the best skater in America. There's no one that can match him.

 

[microstrip]

Unfortunately, this will ultimately not be true
I have spoken with several individuals (let’s just say “connected”) who have told me third-party manufacturers will be working on cable alternatives.

Unfortunately the “game” continues

Yes, it is true several companies are developing ACTUS cables. But I can't see why you consider it an unfortunate thing. In this hobby people are free to play the game as they wish. I tried several types of digital clock and AES/EBU cables with the Vivaldi for a few months nine years ago and then settled.

 

[pk_LA]

I agree that if you like the Vivaldi you'll love the Varese.

It is curious to me that people refer to the 'dCS sound' as being raw and brutal to the recording while also reading that the Varese comes closest yet to vinyl. I believe there is a contradiction here.

Also, please note that within five years we will be reading about the next generation of DACs. They'll be described as lifelike and a 'quantum leap' forward...

 

[Charles S]

I did vinyl and analog tape for many years. I know what they sound like. Analog tape is the best medium, vinyl is a close second. No digital system can ever match them, especially analog tape. That's exactly why I enjoy the MCD12000 so incredibly much. Say what you want but my system sounds analog. I am fully tube. My resolution is incredible. if you have experienced analog tape, you know exactly what I mean. I just finished a session with A Complete Unknown CD soundtrack. It's beautiful and powerful.

Stereophonic, here is my "light pole". If you look closely, you will see a Transguard Tg60 all house surge protector. This essential device has a wonderful noise filter, and it drops the noise coming from the light pole 15 dB. It is easily and immediately audible. No power conditioner can accomplish this. In the next two pics you see my "alternate light pole", a whole house 60K watt GE natural gas generator at the opposite end of the house. When the power goes out the generator become the light pole. The enormous switch is the GE Transfer Switch which is activated by the loss of power. This was a massive and expensive installation.

Regarding my most recent upcoming installation, notice that my Audioquest wires are the most expensive of the gear by far. But I have a noise floor that is supremely quiet and amazing power. A foundation of the very best power is significantly more important than the DAC. I personally would not trade my MCD1200/C-12000/MC3500 all tube for the Dag/Varese SS digital even money. That's what I mean by cost effectiveness, but it begins at the light pole.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I did vinyl and analog tape for many years. I know what they sound like. Analog tape is the best medium, vinyl is a close second. No digital system can ever match them, especially analog tape. That's exactly why I enjoy the MCD12000 so incredibly much. Say what you want but my system sounds analog.

To your ears what fraction of your analog tape playback does your digital playback achieve?

 

[microstrip]

I agree that if you like the Vivaldi you'll love the Varese.

Probably.

It is curious to me that people refer to the 'dCS sound' as being raw and brutal to the recording

Never referred to it in such terms. Surely if you just read from people who prefer warmth and euphonic sound you will find such wording. We had excellent long posts in WBF describing in full the dCS sound, you seem to prefer to to ignore them.

while also reading that the Varese comes closest yet to vinyl.

No. One or two say it reaches some characteristics that until today were better served by vinyl in their opinion.

I believe there is a contradiction here.

Surely if you just read posts in forums you will find many contradictions to feed your discourse ...

Also, please note that within five years we will be reading about the next generation of DACs. They'll be described as lifelike and a 'quantum leap' forward...

For me my the dCS Vivaldi was the top for ten years and I was happy with it, I have no problem knowing that there is something better. I listened several times to the WAMMs and went on sleeping well ...

You look like the guy who goes to a friends dinner just to tell everyone that the good tasty food they are eating is potentially shortening their lifespan ...