My Positive Feedback Review of the dCS Varese

[Lee]

And please allow me to ask you the following, Lee: did you maybe listen in the past to the DCS Vivaldi in the same audio set up? And if yes, is it possible to put into words the sonic differences between the Vivaldi and Varese? I am asking because I have never been a ‘fan’ of the Vivaldi (and I listened to the latter at home in my Tidal La Assoluta system, albeit in the ‘pre Apex era’).

Yes, Scott had the Vivaldi stack on the left side of the rack and the Varese on the right. Each went into a different input on the three box Relentless preamp. At the dCS event Scott and David Steven A/Bed several tracks and it really wasn’t close which is sad news for me as I want a Vivaldi at some point.

It’s like I describe it in my review. It is a completely invisible dac that music flows right through. There is such low noise that everything feels effortless and real.

The Apex was a huge step up for the Vivaldi and the Rossini. There is more innovation from the Varese coming soon I am told.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Congratulations, Lee, on becoming a reviewer for Positive Feedback, and on the publication of this great review!

 

[microstrip]

(...) At the dCS event Scott and David Steven A/Bed several tracks and it really wasn’t close which is sad news for me as I want a Vivaldi at some point. (...)

So now you want a Varese! Fortunately it will be a few months before I also want one ...

Audiophiles must co-exist with the knowledge that there is always something better. Having listened to the WAMM with their subs in a top system in a large room driven by the Vivaldi, I know that even if I get the Varese I will not get in my system and room the level of performance of such system.

I could have written the same words as you "There is such low noise that everything feels effortless and real." about twenty five years ago, the first time I listened to an dCS stack using the Elgar plus in a conrad johnson system. It was so different from the digital I was used to listen that I was puzzled. Unfortunately at that time I could not afford dCS, only ten years ago I fulfilled my desire and consider the Vivaldi stack the best investment I ever did in high-end.

BTW, since people are asking for Wadax/dCS comparisons, I have listened to the top Wadax and the old Wadax several times and did not like it. I do not commented on it because I think it is unfair to comment on something that does not match our preference or expectation in this hobby. It is an individual hobby, people have different preferences.

Considering the intrinsic high level of bias expectation and interest of this hobby I consider such A/B comparison reports and debates a futile fencing session. Surely MHO, you may disagree. The same way I consider the Vivaldi/Varese an exercise of hyperbolic written statements - history repeats. I have no doubt the Varese is better - I have done my private research.

 

[Lee]

So now you want a Varese! Fortunately it will be a few months before I also want one ...

Audiophiles must co-exist with the knowledge that there is always something better. Having listened to the WAMM with their subs in a top system in a large room driven by the Vivaldi, I know that even if I get the Varese I will not get in my system and room the level of performance of such system.

I could have written the same words as you "There is such low noise that everything feels effortless and real." about twenty five years ago, the first time I listened to an dCS stack using the Elgar plus in a conrad johnson system. It was so different from the digital I was used to listen that I was puzzled. Unfortunately at that time I could not afford dCS, only ten years ago I fulfilled my desire and consider the Vivaldi stack the best investment I ever did in high-end.

BTW, since people are asking for Wadax/dCS comparisons, I have listened to the top Wadax and the old Wadax several times and did not like it. I do not commented on it because I think it is unfair to comment on something that does not match our preference or expectation in this hobby. It is an individual hobby, people have different preferences.

Considering the intrinsic high level of bias expectation and interest of this hobby I consider such A/B comparison reports and debates a futile fencing session. Surely MHO, you may disagree. The same way I consider the Vivaldi/Varese an exercise of hyperbolic written statements - history repeats. I have no doubt the Varese is better - I have done my private research.

As I read this, I am listening to my Rossini APEX and it sounds amazing.

But yes I want the Varese. But then again Sofia Vergara is single and she’s not returning my calls.

There will be more innovations from dCS, Wadax, and others. However, every 10-20 years or so, something comes along that redefines what is possible. It is my opinion that Varese is one of those rare breakthrough products. A new benchmark in realism made possible by low noise and state-of-the-art digital conversion.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I do not commented on it because I think it is unfair to comment on something that does not match our preference or expectation in this hobby.

This is an honorable policy.

I have listened to the top Wadax and the old Wadax several times and did not like it.

So you do comment, and you break your own professed policy.

 

[Lee]

Maybe if I had a Varese then Sofia would return my calls…

 

[microstrip]

This is an honorable policy.

Thanks.

So you do comment, and you break your own professed policy.

You have a point, but I do not consider a like/dislike opinion in unknow conditions as an high-end comment - and WBF is an high-end forum. In order to consider something as "commenting something" I thing some more substance is needed.

 

[Lee]

Congratulations, Lee, on becoming a reviewer for Positive Feedback, and on the publication of this great review!

Thanks Ron!

 

[Charles S]

Lee, thanks for a truly great review of what represents the very best in digital playback. You are a superb reviewer. I agree with you that the heart of the Varese must be the mono DAC's. I will never be able to hear anything like this, but like you I believe that a "best there is" or "state of the art" is very necessary to advance the overall quality of the high end forward. I'm fundamentally a speaker afficionado, then power (wires and cords), then amps and preamps, then sources. I believe that the speaker should be preeminent, when you must make choices and I must make choices for my personal system as you do also. Very few of us will have the means for a system like this, but I have no doubt that based on your positive review and what I already know about dCS, the Varese represents the very best that digital has to offer. And when you think how expensive a topline turntable can be, a 276K price becomes more reasonable and understandable. Rather than being jealous or think it excess, we should be thankful that there will be folks like me but with more funds who will purchase a piece like this, otherwise it could never exist. Thanks for taking the time to make the review.

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

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

 

[Lee]

Lee, thanks for a truly great review of what represents the very best in digital playback. You are a superb reviewer. I agree with you that the heart of the Varese must be the mono DAC's. I will never be able to hear anything like this, but like you I believe that a "best there is" or "state of the art" is very necessary to advance the overall quality of the high end forward. I'm fundamentally a speaker afficionado, then power (wires and cords), then amps and preamps, then sources. I believe that the speaker should be preeminent, when you must make choices and I must make choices for my personal system as you do also. Very few of us will have the means for a system like this, but I have no doubt that based on your positive review and what I already know about dCS, the Varese represents the very best that digital has to offer. And when you think how expensive a topline turntable can be, a 276K price becomes more reasonable and understandable. Rather than being jealous or think it excess, we should be thankful that there will be folks like me but with more funds who will purchase a piece like this, otherwise it could never exist. Thanks for taking the time to make the review.

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

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

I look at these things as a business man often so I think in terms of Return on Invested Capital. I think the price is fair given the investment.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[mtemur]

Maybe if I had a Varese then Sofia would return my calls…
View attachment 144035

If you’d saved that money for her instead, she might actually pick up your calls. But after dropping $300K+ on a DAC? Yeah, I don’t think so. Even blondes can do that math.

 

[Lee]

If you’d saved that money for her instead, she might actually pick up your calls. But after dropping $300K+ on a DAC? Yeah, I don’t think so. Even blondes can do that math.

I didn’t spend a dime on this. It was only an audition!

Come back Sofia, there’s been a misunderstanding!

 

[andromedaaudio]

I look at these things as a business man often so I think in terms of Return on Invested Capital. I think the price is fair given the investment.

Thanks for the kind words.

Lee you re a marketeer not an investor

" Investing " in a expensive Dac will only get you laughs from wallstreet folks .
Thats why i dont have one lol.
It has probably one of the worst investment returns one can imagine

 

[Lee]

Lee you re a marketeer not an investor

" Investing " in a expensive Dac will only get you laughs from wallstreet folks .
Thats why i dont have one lol.
It has probably one of the worst investment returns one can imagine

Huh? I am one of the Wall Street folks. I was an investment banker for 12 years. I’m in PE now raising money right now for five different companies. Indeed, Wall Street folks are the first to understand that if you spend $3 million on R&D, you need to charge for it.

 

[rangda]

Maybe if I had a Varese then Sofia would return my calls…

I don't think I'm going out on much of a limb speculating that whatever features the woman might want in a man, a dCS DAC isn't one of them.

 

[Lee]

I don't think I'm going out on much of a limb speculating that whatever features the woman might want in a man, a dCS DAC isn't one of them.

It was a joke.

 

[spiritofmusic]

It was a joke.

They don't do humour on this site.
My wife disagrees, she sees all the astronomic prices and thinks the industry must be joking.

 

[bonzo75]

I don't think I'm going out on much of a limb speculating that whatever features the woman might want in a man, a dCS DAC isn't one of them.

This is not entirely correct. You might want to check with Lagonda if his wife left because he is analog only

 

[bonzo75]

My wife disagrees, she sees all the astronomic prices and thinks the industry must be joking.

industry is just having fun at the cost of the users

 

[spiritofmusic]

industry is just having fun at the cost of the users

Yep, and that's no joke at all.