dCS Vivaldi DAC Silver
dCS Vivaldi DAC Silver
DCS

Vivaldi APEX DAC

Vivaldi APEX DAC uses the latest groundbreaking dCS technology including ‘next generation’ versions of the dCS Ring APEX DAC™, Digital Processing Platform and Clocking System so that, as the hub of a digital audio system, an array of features guarantees superlative performance from any digital source.

Clear
3 Years
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Description

Vivaldi DAC features standard AES3, Dual AES, SDIF-2 and S/PDIF inputs in addition to an asynchronous USB 2.0 interface. The enhanced digital volume control allows direct connection to a power amplifier so that in the majority of systems there is no need for a separate preamplifier. Maximum output can be set any one of four levels to suit different amplifier and speaker combinations.

APEX is a new, enhanced version of the dCS Ring DAC™: the Digital to Analogue conversion system found inside all dCS DACs. First developed for our professional audio products, this unique system has been subject to continuous development and refinement over the past three decades, and remains renowned for its technical and sonic performance.

With APEX, we’ve reconfigured the Ring DAC’s™ circuit board and developed a new analogue output stage. This has allowed us to further reduce distortion, and increase linearity, resulting in a range of measured and sonic improvements – including an even greater sense of dynamic drive, detail, finesse and vitality.

The powerful digital processing platform of Vivaldi DAC is based around Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chips, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips and a microcontroller system. All use code developed and maintained in the UK by dCS. Offering twice the logic capacity of previous generations, Vivaldi DAC is the current state-of-the-art in digital audio, delivering unmatched sonic and measured performance.

dCS pioneered the use of external clocks in digital audio systems, and the redesigned multi-stage Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL) system used in Vivaldi DAC sets world-beating standards for accuracy and control of troublesome jitter from the incoming audio stream.

Featuring a completely new interface designed to handle all high resolution musical formats up to DXD (24-bit data at 352.8 and 384kS/s) plus DSD/64 or DSD/128, the optimised DSP filters available to Vivaldi DAC owners will ensure you can extract every last nuance of musical detail and emotion by tuning the system to suit your personal preference.

Type
Digital-to-Analogue Converter.

Colour
Silver or Black.

Dimensions
444mm/17.5” x 435mm/17.2” x 151mm/6.0” high. Allow extra depth for cable connectors. Allow space for air flow around the unit.

Weight
16.2kg/35.65lbs.

Converter Type
dCS proprietary APEX Ring DAC™ topology, with a choice of 3MHz or 6MHz operation.

Analogue Outputs
Output Levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V or 6V rms on all outputs for a full-scale input, set in the menu.
Balanced Outputs: 1 stereo pair on 2x 3-pin male XLR connectors (pin 2 = hot, pin 3 = cold). These outputs are electronically balanced and floating, the signal balance ratio at 1kHz is better than 40dB, Output impedance is 3Ω, maximum load is 600Ω (a 10kΩ-100kΩ load is recommended).
Unbalanced Outputs: 1 stereo pair on 2x RCA Phono connectors. Output impedance is 52Ω, maximum load is 600Ω (a 10kΩ-100kΩ load is recommended).

Digital Inputs
USB 2.0 interface on a type B connector. Operates in asynchronous mode, will accept PCM data up to 24 bits at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kS/s and DoP (DSD/64 or DSD/128 over PCM) in USB Audio Class 2 mode, can operate in Class 1.
4x AES/EBU on 3-pin female XLR connectors. Each will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kS/s & DoP/64 OR 2x Dual AES pairs at 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384kS/s & DoP/64, DoP/128 plus dCS encrypted DSD.
3x SPDIF on 2x RCA Phono and 1x BNC connectors. Each will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kS/s & DoP.
1x SPDIF optical on a Toslink connector, will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 & 96kS/s.
1x SDIF-2 interface on 2x BNC connectors, will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 & 96kS/s or SDIF-2 DSD (auto-selected). This interface requires a compatible Word Clock input, locked to the data rate.

Wordclock I/Oworldclock Io
3x Word Clock inputs on 3x 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 (0.25x, 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x) of the clock rate. Sensitive to TTL levels.
Word Clock output on 1x BNC connector. In Master mode, a TTL-compatible 44.1kHz Word Clock is available. In Universal Master Mode a 38.4kHz Word Clock is available 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.

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

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

Power Consumption
23 Watts typical/50 Watts maximum.