New dCS Vivaldi

[JemHadar]

All pictures should be public domain...if not, pls PM.

[vintage_tube]

I have some info to share from an attendee at the HK unveiling:

"I was at the show yesterday and got lucky to listen to the system. The list price quoted at the show was:

dCS Vivaldi
Transport HKD 390.000 (USD 50.000)
DAC HKD 311.500 (USD 40.000)

The upsampler and master clock I forgot but should be about USD 22.000 - 23.000 each."

Now, the best part:

I know a retired scientist who has analyszed the printed wiring board (the white one) and this is his speculation:

Bob, I hate it that I spend time researching gear that I cannot afford, but I got sucked into the buzz on the Vivaldi:

This is pure speculation on my part, but you will notice that the printed wiring boards (PWB's) in the images of the inside of the box are white. This could mean that the PEB's are "Teflon" boards. You cannot actually use Teflon to make PWB's because its mechanical properties are too weak for PWB construction, however, there are materials that impregnate the Teflon with stiffing fillers that are used for very hi-end PWB's. The reason for making "Teflon" PWB's is the dielectric properties of Teflon give improved high frequency (MHz and above) signal integrity. If those are "Teflon" PWB's this is where at least some of that $135K price tag goes.

If they will let me in the front door and if am am physically able to be there, I plan to get to Ears Nova for the US debut of the Vivaldi next month. "
---------------------
Bob

Holy Moly dCS...you guys have been stealthy busy.

[vintage_tube]

2012 Worldwide Vivaldi System Premiers

Hong Kong > 10-12 August - RADAR @ Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show 2012

United States > 14-15 September - dCS North America @ Ears Nova, New York City

United Kingdom > 22-23 September - dCS Ltd @ National Audio Show 2012

Japan > dates TBD - Taiyo International - Tokyo

Bob

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Anyone want to chime in (??)

Have a question as to why the Scarlattti Transport has a much larger chassis than the other 3 components. Is it because it uses the top-of-the-line Esoteric VRDS NEO™ mechanism, which necessitates the larger chassis?

The end result, with the larger Transport chassis, when stacked & with its Space Odyssey 2001 appearance, I'm sort of turned off by its visual presentation. Definitely not as appealing to the eye as is Puccini and Ms. Paganini. Someone recently told me the Scarlatti looks more like studio equipment, which when I think about it is so true.

Now, we have the dCS Vivaldi. Take a look at its transport, Holy Moly, talk about being pregnant. At least from the display, it appears to have the same width as the other 3 components which is a great drift away from the 'non-matching chassis footprint' of Mrs. Scarlatti.

The Vivaldi has some interesting curves; if the polish is there maybe some potential exists, however; the display is also lacking some aesthetics for me.

Best

Bob

Hi Bob, yes the Scarlatti Transport is stuffed with stuff (components), It had to he the size is. What I don't know is why they just didn't make the others a bit larger to get the same footprint. And they don't stack, I have my clock stacked on my dac...but separated by cardas wood blocks...

[Still-One]

Wow, that is a beautiful stack of gear. The $135 price tag sure leaves me out of the picture. That is a sandbox I have no desire in which to partake. I am sure it sounds great.

JIm

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by jfrech

Hi Bob, yes the Scarlatti Transport is stuffed with stuff (components), It had to he the size is. What I don't know is why they just didn't make the others a bit larger to get the same footprint. And they don't stack, I have my clock stacked on my dac...but separated by cardas wood blocks...

Thanks jfrech for the input. I see dCS changed their chassis design with this new stack with components sized identically. I still wonder though why the Scarlatti Transport chassis is several inches larger than the other 3. Knowing dCS, they had a definite reason & beside those I speculated earlier, maybe it is a 'mass' thing? dunno.

Best to you jfrech,

Bob

[Kingsrule]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Isn't that the truth --

"The 2009 Scarlatti system replaces dCS's combo of Verdi SACD/CD transport, Purcell D/D converter, and Elgar Plus DAC and adds a master clock unit developed from the 2005 year (or so +/-) Verona.

One particular print mag stated this about the Scarlatti at the time -- "Calling the Scarlatti an SACD/CD player is like calling the Hubble a telescope."

The dCS folks in Cambridge aren't sitting on their butts checking their account balances, that's for sure.

Bob

2009 was eons ago when it comes to digital components.
I'm surprised that it wasn't superseded sooner

I'll bet Vivaldi is a huge sonic upgrade

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by g997

2009 was eons ago when it comes to digital components. I'm surprised that it wasn't superseded sooner. I'll bet Vivaldi is a huge sonic upgrade

I see it everyday too in my line of work...amazing the large leaps undertaken in such a short period of time.

Regarding the Vivaldi g997-- the digital mountain top King has been crowned.

Best

Bob

[Jerome W]

I cannot understand the companies who keep changing the looks of their products all the time.

[Amfibius]

Well said Jerome. If I was in the market, I would be looking at a product which offers an upgrade path rather than one which obsoletes my equipment after a few years.