dCS Launches Varèse Music System

the present day Vivaldi Apex refuses to die

On August 7th dCS launched its Varèse Music System, characterizing it as a product that embodies "our boldest ideas, realized" and naming it for the French experimental composer who invented the term "organized sound" and who famously said "What is music but organized noises?" The late Frank Zappa was among his most ardent Baby Boomer generation fans and promoters.

The new Varèse Music System consists of a multiple task pre-DAC Core that supports most hi-res formats, audio inputs, conversion, noise shaping and filtering, using a new ACTUS protocol dCS says simplifies setup and helps produces new sonic heights from a company already known for aiming and reaching a high sonic bar.

The new system stack features said Core plus a pair of mono DACs, a master clock and a user interface. dCS managing director David Steven issued a statement long on ambition and short on tech details that are sure to come soon. He said: "Varèse is the most challenging undertaking of our careers in audio. We set out to redefine state-of-the-art whilst at the same time creating an entirely new and immersive user experience.We knew we had to embrace a singular vision, and be brave and relentless in our pursuit of this, to bring listeners a system that is measurably and demonstrably special."

As you've probably noticed, there's no CD/SACD transport. dCS will add that in 2025. One of the goals was to simplify and make more intuitive the user interface. On the tech side, dCS introduces Tomix, a patented new clocking technology: ACTUS, a bespoke interface that carries audio, control and timing signals between components; and the Differential Ring DAC, a new version of the dCS Ring DAC™ that represents the biggest change to the company's DAC architecture in a generation.

Varèse also features several mechanical and electronic innovations, from new circuit design to enhanced power supplies. The benefits of these advancements are wide-ranging: we’ve further reduced jitter, whilst increasing linearity, lowering noise floor and eliminating crosstalk, once again setting a new standard for measured performance in the process.

Varèse Systems will be manufactured in limited quantities and shipping will commence from late 2024. 

Varèse Music System

Silver

All dimensions given as height x width x depth. Allow additional 60mm depth for ACTUS cable connectors plus 120mm for ACTUS cable bend radius. Allow space for air flow around the unit.

- User Interface: 131mm x 444mm x 450mm / 5.2” x 17.5” x 17.8” (includes Bluetooth aerial depth) - Master Clock: 131mm x 444mm x 437mm / 5.2” x 17.5” x 17.3”
- Left Mono DAC: 131mm x 444mm x 437mm / 5.2” x 17.5” x 17.3”
- Right Mono DAC: 131mm x 444mm x 437mm / 5.2” x 17.5” x 17.3”

- Core: 244mm x 444mm x 438mm / 9.7” x 17.5” x 17.3”

- User Interface: 14.6kg / 32.2lbs
- Master Clock: 15.7kg / 34.7lbs
- Left Mono DAC: 18.7kg / 41.3lbs - Right Mono DAC: 18.7kg / 41.3lbs - Core: 33.1kg / 73lbs

dCS Differential Ring DAC

- 2x pair balanced outputs on 4x XLR connectors. Output impedance: 1.5Ω.

- 2x pair unbalanced outputs on 4x RCA connectors. Output impedance: 52Ω.

- Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended).
- Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu.

- Ethernet on RJ45 connector for network streaming.

- USB Type A connector for mass storage devices (navigated using Mosaic ACTUS).

If the Digital I/O Module is fitted to the Varese Core:

• -  USB 2.0 interface on B-type connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DoP format.

• -  3x AES/EBU inputs on 3-pin female XLR connectors, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format. AES1+2 act as a Dual AES pair, accepts 24-bit 88.2 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format.

  If the Digital I/O Module is fitted to the Varese Core, 1 x S/PDIF interface on RCA Phono connector, outputs 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM, DSD/64 in DoP format.

  If the Digital I/O Module is fitted to the Varese Core, 1 x Word Clock Output on 1x BNC connector. Outputs a TTL-compatible Wordclock at either 44.1kHz or 48kHz depending on the input sample rate.

  Supports the following audio formats and sample rates: - 44.1-384kS/s up to 24 bits
  - DSD/64, DSD/128, DSD/256, DSD/512
  - Native DSD + DoP

  - FLAC, WAV, AIFF
  Better than 118dB0, 20-20kHz
  Better than -115dB0, 20-20kHz
  Self-selecting for 100, 115, 220 and 230V AC 50-60Hz 30W