The Hi-Fi News Yearbook 2024 just dropped through my letterbox. As a subscriber I don’t pay great attention as it basically consists of edited reviews tha thave appeared previously over the past ear. However I checked the December Issue taster on the final page. There is going to be a review of Varese which will be a little earlier than I expected. HFN also provide their own measurements too so this promises to be very interesting. Out on November 15th.
Is that to be the world’s first formal review? I am not counting some reported listening sessions at the factory. AV Tech Media magazines on either side of the pond often often deal with similar items so I anticipate Stereophile being close.
My dealer is having what I believe is the North American premier of the Varese this Friday. Unfortunately that is the one night this month that I cannot get away to attend. He is going to let me know if I can come earlier in the day or possibly early the next to give the units a listen.
In the past he has always been great about allowing me to audition any product of interest in my own set-up. I have never abused that offer by bringing home a product to A/B that I had absolutely no interest in purchasing. So it Is unlikely that I will take him up on that when he has his permanent demo set. The pricing is just too high for my comfort. That said I do look forward to hearing them in his store,
Ditto. I never waste my dealer’s time. If I contact him I am seriously in the market. Varese is totally out of my reach. Of course I would love to hear it in a familiar context but why torture myself?
Last week when Paragon hosted the US debut of the D’Agostino C2 pre-amp they inserted the C2 where the Relentless pre-amp had been in the main room. At that time Vivaldi into the C2 which was feeding Relentless 800’s, which were driving the Sonus Faber Suprema.
So this week it will either be Suprema or Chronosonic XVX’s.
Away from the promo photos this shot shows how awkward it is going to be to house especially as most audio tacks have a 4 shelf maximum height. There is also a sixth box for optical disc transport to come (for those that need it).
The price quoted by Paragon is not for the 5 box Varese which we are familiar with but the 6.5 box system ( includes the forthcoming SACD transport and I/O Module). However he price here in the UK for that is 251.5K gbp. Further that includes VAT @20%. Shows how difficult it is to compare prices internationally. Imagining the likely buyers at this level I doubt if a few thousand dollars either way is all that significant.
Pete - if one plays with the configurator the 5 box system goes to $254,000. While we do not have VAT we do have sales tax. If the 5 box $254,000 system were to be purchased from a dealer in New York City an additional $22,542.50 of sales tax needs to be added which results in a final price of $276,542.50.
Last I looked I could purchase not one but an additional two Porsche 911’s for the cost of a Varese. I believe those two cars would also come equipped with an optional Burmeister sound system
My previous comment about companies studying the recent comments made by Herve Delatraz of DarTZeel and his views on the sustainability of the ultra high end remains valid, IMHO.
Thanks Gregg, I was trying to make a point subtly:
Yes, it is an astounding price being quoted by Paragon, even though it is for a 6.5 box system, not 5. I appreciate the taxes in the USA but as these are not Federal are not normally included, at least as far as I can see from this side of the pond. Of course at face value this would suggest that instead of the dealer getting a discount he could be getting a surcharge .
I was unable to attend last nights event but I did get about 90 minutes on my own with the system today. For the first hour I listened on my own then spent the next 45 minutes listening and talking with Larry and David Steven of dCS.
The system had both a Vivaldi and the Verse connected to a D’Agostino Relentless Pre for A/B, sending the signal to Relentless amp’s powering Wilson Chronosonics. During my session I chose tracks I knew from Tidal.
Even before A/B’ing it with the Vivaldi I knew the was something special with the Verse. Everything sounded better. From staging, weight, vocals, placement of instruments, it all sounded right.
That display is really nice and with an upcoming software update it will show you just about everything you can see in the Mosaic App.
One small issue for those who thought you might be able to only purchase the Core and DAC’s to start off then add the clock and display module later, that is currently not possible. It currently cannot function as a headless unit… Too many processes in that display. Of course those who can afford this product that is not a concern.
