Vivaldi DAC Review
 

Some background first: I replaced my dCS Paganini transport and DAC with a dCS Vivaldi DAC only. I've cut the "physical media" cord and don't intend to look back. Before the switch, I was using a Mac Mini server running Pure Music's software engine to feed the USB port on the Pag Upsampler. I upsampled to DSD and sent that to the DAC via a Firewire interface. From the DAC I ran straight to my monoblocks without a pre amp. The sound I got from this set up was phenomenal. Never being one to leave good enough alone, I had to do something with the unused transport. When dCS announced the Vivaldi line back in August, the path became clear. I traded the Paganini transport and DAC for the Vivaldi DAC and patiently waited.

The first thing you notice about the Vivaldi DAC is the size and weight. It's a full 35 lbs and too big to fit in a standard rack shelf. Fortunately, my Adona rack has adjustable shelves. The fit and finish of the unit are what you would expect from dCS - flawless. I got the black version to complement the rest of my system electronics.

Connections: This was a little bit of a conundrum. dCS has abandoned the Firewire interface on the Vivaldi line for reasons unknown. This was the only way to get a pure DSD signal out of the Pag Upsampler. Consequently, I can't send a DSD output to the Vivaldi DAC. Instead I used the dual AES mode and sent the current maximum 24/192 resolution through a set of balanced interconnects to the DAC. I believe there is a software update for the Pag Upsampler coming that will increase the available sample rate that you can output. I will wait for that anxiously.

The set up menu's on the Vivaldi are simple and easily navigated. The display is a high resolution color LCD. This is a nice improvement for these old eyes over the Paganini displays. We had everything connected and ready to go in about 15 minutes.

Another note: The Vivaldi has multiple clock inputs that will let you send both 44kHz and 48.1Khz clocks separately if your sources are clocked differently. My Puccini clock can send either via the same connection and since I have only one source, this is nice to have but not required.

OK. Now for the sound. There are some variables I couldn't control in the comparison of Pag to Vivaldi. I was unprepared for the change from Firewire to AES (shame on me) so I had to use the pair of interconnects provided by dCS with the DAC. The sample rate is also different from my previous configuration (DSD to 24/192). With all this in mind, I cued up a sampler file from Blue Coast that is one of my reference recordings, held my breath and pushed Play. No burn in.

Two promising discoveries. The vocals have a weight and presence that bests the Paganini noticeably. Also the magical detail that was present at louder volumes with the Pag stack was now there at much quieter levels. The shimmer on cymbals for example lasted much longer into the decay than on my previous set up. These are both improvements to celebrate. I will update the post as the days go on. My Paganini stack took about 20 hours to fully develop. I also want to try the straight feed from Mac Mini to DAC USB without any upsampling. One of our fellow posters is interested in that configuration. I will have some time to play next weekend.

Pics attached. Merry Christmas to all!

Cincy

Outstanding. Thanks for the mini review. I look forward to hearing more from this as it burns in. :yes:

howie

Cincy, thank you for these initial impressions. Looking forward for developments namely the USB connection.

Can you explain the section quoted above? How do you run AES, and balanced interconnects, straight out of the MacMini?

I wish you a Merry Christmas! Obviously, form the gifts point of view, it will be :D

The AES pair run from the upsampler to the DAC. The signal chain is server to upsampler to DAC to mono blocks.

Cincy

Nice rig!
Thanks for the mini review
Look forward to more insights as the Vivaldi breaks in

Cincy,

Nice setup :)
Did you try sending DSD files to the Vivaldi? I believe it's DSD-capable...


alexandre

Yes it is. But there is only one way for the DSD format signal out of the Pag Upsampler - via the Firewire connector.

Cincy

Cincy,

Perhaps you can bypass the Upsampler altogether, given that the Vivaldi has a proper USB 2.0 input.

alexandre

Going to give that a try once the electronics burn in for 20 hours or so. It will be an easy test to A / B the sound with a 24/192 output and the standard 16/44 out of the server. The Pure Music software program also has a code driven upsampler. Lots of fun coming.

Cincy

Update
 

Spent some more time this afternoon with the Vivaldi. One of my favorite acoustic albums is called Preachin' the Blues by the Blue Rider Trio. It is scarily close to live music on the Paganini. With the Vivaldi in the loop the vocals and the guitar all had more weight. The individual notes in the guitar chords were better defined. In one track called Gallows Pole, there is a foot stomping in the back part of the sound stage. With the Pag it was precisely positioned and clear. With the Vivaldi, I heard the type of leather in the sole. I don't know if its possible to get closer to live music. If it is, I don't have the words to describe it. What happens when this thing breaks in?

Next up: Different digital filters and then a straight USB feed to the DAC.

Cincy