It has an auto power selecting. It is very nice. Good Job dCS.
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The Benelux distributor published some further details:
dCS Varèse: New technologies & innovations
| Varèse Mono DACs
The Varèse Music System utilises a Mono DAC configuration with a dedicated DAC for each audio channel (left and right). This configuration allows us to deliver a number of benefits — such as improving the power supplies within each DAC and enhancing cross talk performance. The Mono DACs utilise our new ACTUS and dCS Tomix technologies to deliver a superior sonic and measured performance with excellent local clocking, bit-perfect audio transmission and total system control. Each DAC features a dedicated Differential Ring DAC™ system — a new version of the dCS Ring DAC that brings improvements in noise floor and linearity.
| Mono DAC Power Supplies
The Varèse Mono DACs feature new, improved hybrid power supplies for enhanced performance.
The twin transformers inside each Mono DAC have been optimised for analogue and digital operations.
Secondary power supply circuits have been redesigned to reduce magnetostriction in the transformer core and the mechanical hum this can create.
Power supply regulators utilise a power management chip to achieve power sequencing — bringing tighter and more flexible control of supply activation and deactivation.
Additional regulation is provided for the analogue supplies serving the balanced output stage, allowing us to further reduce common mode noise at that output.
| Differential Ring DAC
The Differential Ring DAC is a new iteration of the dCS Ring DAC. There is a Differential Ring DAC inside each Varèse Mono DAC.
The Differential Ring DAC features 96 current sources for each audio channel. This means the Varèse Mono DACs have twice as many current sources for each audio channel as other dCS DACs.
In the Varèse Mono DACs, 48 current sources produce the analogue signal in the correct phase and 48 produce the same signal in antiphase. The outputs of these two sets of current sources is differenced, meaning the phase of the antiphase current sources is reversed and summed together with the correct phase current sources. This makes the Mono DACs inherently balanced in several areas, including residual noise, power supply draw, and summing node DC offset.
The differential design also improves on harmonic performance and allows us to further increase linearity while significantly lowering noise floor. This, in turn, brings significant sonic benefits - allowing us to once again elevate the musical experience we provide.
| ACTUS Audio Control & Timing Unified System
ACTUS is a bespoke interface developed by dCS to radically simplify system setup whilst ensuring ultimate audio quality.
The ACTUS interface delivers audio, control and timing signals between Varèse components. This enables the Varèse Music System to be connected with a single cable running from each unit to the Core.
dCS ACTUS cables carry asynchronous and error corrected digital audio, control signals, and a master clock signal sent via our proprietary Tomix interface.
| dCS Tomix
Tomix is a patented clocking technology developed by dCS engineers.
Its creation allows us to harness the sonic benefits of a Mono DAC arrangement within the Varèse Music System whilst maintaining the strict standards we have set for clocking performance.
Tomix ensures the clocks within each Mono DAC are tightly synchronised. This, in turn, allows us to ensure the left and right channels of each audio sample are converted at exactly the right moment, whilst also making sure that the Ring DAC operations within each DAC are tightly controlled via the DAC’s internal clock circuitry.
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Thanks for posting this Erno.
Nice to have a printed summary of what we heard on yesterdays call
The new info above is in the highlighted sections about the Mono DAC Power Supplies.
Great that you have heard that already yesterday, now we all know about it.
Erm, when will dCS make something us ordinary (not rich) people can afford?
dCS Lina network dac?
Or do you mean something in the <10k range?
I just finished reading a post on another forum and the lightbulb went off. I’m actually surprised to see this has yet to be mentioned in this thread.
I find it interesting dCS chose not to implement a fibre connection on the new Varese. They are remaining with traditional wired ethernet.
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Hi Gregg,
Maybe because around the world, if there is a fibre connection at home at all, there are so many different fibre connection types? Or for audio it is not mandatory? Their galvanic ethernet isolation is good enough?
It would be interesting to hear the view of dCS on this @Phil @James .
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Although optical fibre connections have immunity from parasitic noise there is no such thing as a free lunch and they usually involve use of a media converter at some point. These can be prone to self noise.
Maybe that was along the lines of their thinking?
On the other hand, what do I know?
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… and RJ45/ethernet is ubiquitous and completely fit for purpose.
Agreed however many have been experimenting with Fibre - and going ethernet>fibre>ethernet into dCS.
When Linn completely updated their Klimax DS Streamer they added a Fibre input and are on record stating they considered the performance better than standard ethernet
thats what I do as well. I’m also lucky to have a good ISP that supplies a fantastic fibe modem/router
While there are a number of disadvantages to having an SFP cage instead of a fixed Copper Ethernet port, noise (“self” made or otherwise), is not among them (despite rhetoric to the contrary you might have read from specialist Audiophile Ethernet Switch manufacturers).
Added complexity & cost, Yes. Extra element requiring compatibility, Yes. Extra element that could fail, Yes. Forcing users to either have a Switch with a fibre port or adding a media converter, Yes. Added heat, Yes.
Noise, No. RFI/EMI, No (easily mitigated with proper shielded SFP cage). Added Jitter, Yes (but irrelevant for asynchronous packet flows). More expensive, Yes.
Ultimately there are pros and cons. I certainly wouldn’t second guess dCS’s diligence on the matter, so it’s a non-issue in my view.
While there are a number of disadvantages to having an SFP cage instead of a fixed Copper Ethernet port, noise (“self” made or otherwise), is not among them, despite rhetoric to the contrary you might have read from specialist Audiophile Ethernet Switch manufacturers.
Added complexity & cost, Yes. Extra element requiring compatibility, Yes. Extra element that could fail, Yes. Forcing users to either have a Switch with a fibre port or adding a media converter, Yes. Added heat, Yes.
Noise, No. RFI/EMI, No (easily mitigated with proper shielded SFP cage). Added Jitter, Yes (but irrelevant for asynchronous packet flows). More expensive, Yes. More power consumed, Yes.
Ultimately there are pros and cons. I certainly wouldn’t second guess dCS’s diligence on the matter, so it’s a non-issue in my view.
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Just use WiFi. With a good router of course. What surprises me is that there is no mention at all if the system is RoonReady…?
dCS is unable to list services until they have been certified.
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“And the dCS Varèse Differential Mono DAC main board uses an Artix-7 FPGA” (a post on 9 Aug)
I believe I have seen this very board! I think the red/brown colour means it is a development board and not intended for finished products, and the socket mounted on the board - which at first seemed a little weird - is so that the thing can easily be connected for testing purposes.
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I get it, that goes for all brands, but they often announce that they have applied for certification. I’ll wait with ordering…haha.
That crossed my mind too. I think you are right!