dCS new flagship

[Lee]

When CD was released, it was all done in the one box. Then someone had the bright idea to separate the functionality into two boxes, transport and DAC with an interface (SPDIF ). This was the first level of added complexity, As you add more interfaces the complexity increases. Having an external clock also adds complexity.

Simplicity is when you have all the essential aspects close together with optimised interfaces. Examples would be:

- the source as in CD optical drive close to the DAC connected by a short I2S bus;
- the clock should be as close to the DAC as possible to minimise jitter;
- not having multiple inputs and outputs with selection switching and extra processing/digital devices;
- digital devices are essentially noisy on the power supply, so the more processing you have the more noise;

Naim were very smart when they designed their first CD player, the CDS, in that they made it 2 boxes with all the essentials optimised in one and the power supply in the other. They also used the best of the Philips transports and selected 1541.

A rebuilt CDS with better parts (audio grade capacitors, UF rectifiers, improved regulators, no digital filtering/oversampling) and a clever analog filter would be something special.

The modern trend for digital is to have as much functionality/options/inputs as possible with everything externalised and connected with uber cables. Those that I have heard always sound wrong to me.

The Vivaldi offering is built with many boxes and it sounds great to my ears. But dCS offers one box solutions at both Rossini and Vivaldi level if you prefer that.

 

[Lee]

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This is very interesting.

 

[Lee]

Hi Amir,

Although not a final deciding factor for me, I do consider the number of boxes because it directly affects:

- Number of upgraded power cords I need to buy;
- Number of vibration control feet/platforms I need to buy;
- Number of extra plug sockets I now need on my power filtration boxes;
-Number of shelf spaces I have;
-Number of upgraded interconnects I will need.

So for me personally the more boxes I have, the more the price jumps exponentially.

This is a good point. Well done sir.

 

[bonzo75]

And for those with less space, the two box Lamm linestage is a truly superb unit at half the price.

I thought Peter’s room was 15x16, family room? It has 9 Lamm boxes? How small is a 2 box room?

 

[tima]

I thought Peter’s room was 15x16, family room? It has 9 Lamm boxes? How small is a 2 box room?

Rack size not room size.

 

[Lagonda]

Rack size not room size.

That is why he does not use digital, no more room for equipment

 

[PeterA]

I thought Peter’s room was 15x16, family room? It has 9 Lamm boxes? How small is a 2 box room?

How small is a zero box room?

 

[Lee]

How small is a zero box room?

Big enough for an Air Force Zero?

 

[Jambo]

I don’t see this link in this thread, so hopefully i’m not duplicating it, some feedback on the new stack.

dCS Varése: First Listen, the email response!

One one of our reviewers – Paul Soor – was invited to hear the new dCS Varèse digital flagship. This is his ‘thanks’ email to the company describing that early listening session.

hifiplus.com

 

[Phantom-Audio]

We live in interesting times. It has become more advantageous to sell fewer high-end DACs in the $300K range than to focus on larger quantities of low-cost DACs. It would be intriguing to see how these premium models compare to MSB and Wadax DACs, which also occupy the same price segment. However, one lesson I've learned over the years is that price does not always equate to musicality.

 

[jfrech]

I don’t see this link in this thread, so hopefully i’m not duplicating it, some feedback on the new stack.

dCS Varése: First Listen, the email response!

One one of our reviewers – Paul Soor – was invited to hear the new dCS Varèse digital flagship. This is his ‘thanks’ email to the company describing that early listening session.

hifiplus.com

Thanks for posting. I hadn't seen this. Doesn't surprise me what Paul is saying. I suspect for dCS lovers this is going to be mind blowing along with wallet blowing. Divorce maker in 5 boxes...haha

 

[Stereophonic]

Let’s see what Varése has to put on the table…

 

[defride]

Anyone know the system dCS would have used for the Varese demo at the factory?

 

[nirodha]

Let’s see what Varése has to put on the table…

Can’t be as bad as the composer they are named after

 

[Iving]

Anyone know the system dCS would have used for the Varese demo at the factory?

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2024/08/08/dcs-varese-music-system-first-listen-announcements/

dCS Varèse Music System First Listen

While visiting dCS in Cambridge earlier this summer, we had the opportunity to examine the development in depth and listen to a prototype of the dCS Varèse Music System. As a long-time dCS Vivaldi owner, I was excited to see where dCS could further elevate my listening experience over the Vivaldi APEX.

The dCS listening room consisted of Wilson Audio Alexx Vs and Dan D’Agostino Momentum M400 amplifiers driven by either a complete dCS Vivaldi APEX stack or dCS Varèse stack side by side.

 

[buzzlulu]

Anyone know the system dCS would have used for the Varese demo at the factory?

In addition to D'Agostino the dCS factory also has DarTZeel and Constellation

 

[mtemur]

The dCS listening room consisted of Wilson Audio Alexx Vs and Dan D’Agostino Momentum M400 amplifiers driven by either a complete dCS Vivaldi APEX stack or dCS Varèse stack side by side.

In addition to D'Agostino the dCS factory also has DarTZeel and Constellation

Oh, fantastic. I bet they've got Transparent cables running the whole setup—because why not? And of course, nothing says perfection like a room drenched in ASC tube traps and custom wall sponges as treatment. Just the cherry on top of this audio masterpiece.

Wilson, Krell, DarTZeel, Halcro. A full circle. I wonder why no Mark Levinson.

BTW I deliberately wrote Krell and Halcro instead of new names of same sound by same people.

 

[Stereophonic]

Oh, fantastic. I bet they've got Transparent cables running the whole setup—because why not? And of course, nothing says perfection like a room drenched in ASC tube traps and custom wall sponges as treatment. Just the cherry on top of this audio masterpiece.

Wilson, Krell, DarTZeel, Halcro. A full circle. I wonder why no Mark Levinson.

BTW I deliberately wrote Krell and Halcro instead of new names of same sound by same people.

You'll see same systems as always in next Varèse demos.....
I even think both Wilson and Dan d´Agostino have pushed dCS to make something different and specially expensive to keep their top Relentless and Chronosonic line level.....

 

[bonzo75]

Oh, fantastic. I bet they've got Transparent cables running the whole setup—because why not? And of course, nothing says perfection like a room drenched in ASC tube traps and custom wall sponges as treatment. Just the cherry on top of this audio masterpiece.

Wilson, Krell, DarTZeel, Halcro. A full circle. I wonder why no Mark Levinson.

BTW I deliberately wrote Krell and Halcro instead of new names of same sound by same people.

We might even be able to guess the music they will use for demo

 

[AnonymousAudiophile]

Will the trend toward manufacturer specialized cables and interfaces change that going forward?

Seems like even Naim is moving away from this now, so my guess is its not a great trend.