APEX Upgrade

How do you elevate an already exemplary design? This is the question the engineers at dCS asked when they embarked on a project to further refine the hardware portion of the dCS Ring DAC™ – the renowned digital-to-analogue conversion system that resides at the heart of all dCS DACs and Players.

Their investigation led to a new, improved design that brings significant benefits in several key areas. This, in turn, has enabled them to further enhance the musical performance of the beloved Vivaldi, Rossini and Bartók DACs and Players.

Ring DAC APEX hardware is included with all new Vivaldi, Rossini and Bartok DACs and Players.

APEX: What’s New

The engineers at dCS have made several updates to the Ring DAC’s design and performance.

Features

Modifying the reference supply that feeds the Ring DAC, resulting in lower output impedance
Enhancing the filter, summing and output stages of the Ring DAC
Improving the symmetry of summing stages
Creating an all-new output stage
Reconfiguring the main Ring DAC circuit board

These modifications are the result of exhaustive analysis and thorough investigation. The Ring DAC APEX™ hardware has been extensively tested to ensure it delivers both real and tangible benefits. Alongside running quantitative tests using our bespoke equipment, we have carried out several rounds of subjective listening tests with music professionals and critical listening experience.

A More Profound Experience

The dCS Ring DAC was renowned for its excellent linearity as well as its world-leading noise and distortion performance. The APEX edition reduces noise even further, and increases linearity by over 12dB.

Listeners who’ve upgraded their system have noted profound musical benefits, including:

Improved dynamics, rhythm and timing
Enhanced image focus and soundstaging
More precise and tonally resolved voices
An even greater sense of ease and naturalness
More distinct contrast between instruments and blacker backgrounds

Existing owners can also upgrade their system to APEX for an even more profound and revealing musical experience…