DCS VIVALDI APEX DAC, DCS ROSSINI APEX DAC AND DCS ROSSINI APEX PLAYER LAUNCHED

The ultra-high-end British HiFi brand releases the first models featuring their new dCS Ring DAC APEX technology, we have all the pricing and first pictures.

Last month we brought you the news that dCS had updated their DAC technology releasing Ring DAC APEX. We now have pictures of the first models, prices and info on upgrades for current dCS customers.

dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC

DCS RING DAC APEX

The dCS Ring DAC is an integral part of all dCS DACS and integrated music players. This digital-to-analogue conversion system, unique to dCS, was developed from the ground up by dCS engineers and was originally created for their professional audio products. dCS Ring DAC features a combination of proprietary hardware and software, all developed in-house in Cambridgeshire, UK.

The dCS Ring DAC APEX

The dCS engineering team have made extensive changes to the Ring DAC’s hardware. With the exception of the resistor array, which remains unchanged, the latest generation Ring DAC APEX hardware is all new.

Modifications include modifying the reference supply that feeds the Ring DAC, resulting in lower output impedance. Enhancing the filter, summing and output stages of the Ring DAC. Improving the symmetry of summing stages. • Creating an all-new output stage and reconfiguring the main Ring DAC circuit board.

DCS VIVALDI APEX DAC

The next generation APEX edition of the dCS Vivaldi DAC offers the same array of features as previous generation Vivaldi DACs, with the addition of the new Ring DAC APEX hardware as standard.

dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC front and back

DCS VIVALDI APEX DAC SPECS

Digital-to-Analogue Converter in Silver or Black

444mm/17.5” x 435mm/17.2” x 151mm/6.0” high, 16.2kg/35.65lbs

Converter type: dCS proprietary Ring DAC™ topology, with a choice of 3MHz or 6MHz operation

Analogue outputs

1 x pair balanced outputs on 2x XLR connectors. Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedance: 3Ω. Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended); 1x pair unbalanced outputs on 2x RCA connectors. Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedance: 52Ω. Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended)

Digital inputs

USB 2.0 interface on B-type connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DoP format; 4x AES/EBU inputs on 3-pin female XLR connectors, accepts 24-bit 32 – 192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 2 x Dual AES pairs, accepts 24-bit 88.2 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format; 2 x SPDIF on RCA Phono connectors, accepts 24-bit 32-192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF on BNC connector, accepts 24-bit 32-192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF on TOSLINK connector, accepts 24-bit 32 – 96kS/s PCM; 1 x SDIF-2 interface on 2x BNC connectors, accepts 24-bit 32 – 96kS/s PCM or SDIF-2 DSD (auto selected). This interface requires a compatible Word Clock input, locked to the correct data rate

Wordclock I/O

3 x Word Clock Inputs on BNC connectors, accept standard Word Clock at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz. The data rate can be the same as the clock rate or an exact multiple of the clock rate. Sensitive to TTL levels; 1 x Word Clock Output on 1x BNC connector. With Sync Mode set to Master, a TTL-compatible 44.1kHz Word Clock is output. In Universal Master Mode, a 38.4kHz Word Clock is output for use with the Vivaldi Upsampler

Residual noise: Better than -113dB0 @ 20Hz-20kHz unweighted (6V setting)

L/R crosstalk: Better than -115dB0, 20-20kHz

Spurious responses: Better than -105dB0 @ 20-20kHz

Filters: PCM mode: 4 filters give different trade-offs between the Nyquist image rejection and the phase response. 2 extra filters are available at 44.1, 176.4, 192, 352.8 and 384kS/s. DSD mode: 4 filters progressively reduce out-of-audio band noise level (inherent in the 1 bit nature of DSD), plus Filter 5 which has an improved transient response

Software updates: Loaded from CD-R via PCM inputs or PC via USB interface

dCS Universal Remote is supplied as standard. RS232 (controlled by the Vivaldi Upsampler / app or a third party device)

Power: Factory set for 100, 115, 220 or 230V AC, 50-60Hz

Power consumption: 23 Watts typical/50 Watts maximum

DCS ROSSINI APEX DAC AND DCS ROSSINI APEX PLAYER

Next-generation APEX editions of the dCS Rossini DAC and Rossini Player are also now available. The dCS Rossini APEX DAC combines the new APEX DAC technology with a custom UPnP streamer. The dCS Rossini APEX Player combines DAC, streamer and CD transport into an integrated player.

dCS Rossini DAC APEX front and back

Rear of the dCS Rossini APEX Player

RING DAC APEX UPGRADES

In addition to the launch of the next generation APEX models, dCS are making the Ring DAC APEX hardware available to existing Rossini and Vivaldi owners through a global upgrade programme. Owners of the dCS Vivaldi DAC, Rossini DAC, Rossini Player and Vivaldi One will all be eligible to purchase upgrades, allowing them to receive the latest generation dCS hardware, without having to having to purchase a new system.

The upgrades will be available via dCS distributors worldwide, starting in May. For owners in the UK, the upgrade cost is £6,000 per unit. In the UK this is through Absolute Sounds.

Vivaldi APEX DAC

DCS VIVALDI APEX DAC, DCS ROSSINI APEX DAC AND DCS ROSSINI APEX PLAYER PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

The new APEX editions of the Vivaldi DAC, Rossini DAC and Rossini Player are available from the 4^th of March, replacing previous versions. UK RRPs are as follows:

dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC: £33,000

dCS Rossini APEX DAC: £25,500

dCS Rossini APEX Player: £28,000

HiFi Pig Says: This is, of course, the very ultra high end of HiFi, and a fabulous example of British design, engineering and manufacturing.

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