dCS Rossini DAC

[geceon]

I recently bought dCS Rossini DAC and would like to hear your opinion about it, if there are any other dCS users

[Alrainbow]

I have never heard one but do have some I know who have. It's a top tier dac and at that level it's views you like more than better. Reading the specs and options it seems it digital rolls filters and on the fly upsamplings. It must have a very powerful processor inside. Enjoy it.

[JCOConnell]

is that one of the current models? Or is it a vintage model?

[geceon]

Rossini is latest model available since february 2016. dCS has currently Vivaldi and Rossini ranges.

[JCOConnell]

I haven't heard recent models but I did hear a top line dCS system in a home setting about 15 years ago and it sounded wonderful. I can only imagine with improvements that today's gear is even better.

[Ritmo]

It's a terrific DAC - congratulations!

[geceon]

The distributor delivered the dac to me last tuesday and I have been listening to it since then. I also borrowed the Rossini clock. I have not decided yet whether I will also buy the clock. The clock makes a difference for sure but this difference is not huge. The soundstage opens up, gets wider with the clock and the instruments can be allocated better on the stage. I will decide in couple of days. I so far took couple other dacs home for auditioning, which are MSB Analog dac and Gryphon Kalliope. I believe dCS beats them all imho. I used to own Auralic Vega which is not at the same league, so there is no reason the make any comparison.

[MylesBAstor]

I think nowadays flexibility enters into the picture eg. the ability to play all digital formats including up to quad DSD.

The new DCS stuff is a huge step from where they started. Despite all the favorable early reviews, the early DCS stuff - in this case the Elgar that I had in also - did nothing for me. The Rossini seems a good option in the DCS line and when I've heard it impressed me with its dynamics, bass and transparency. It will never ever be mistaken for warm though. It falls into that neutral digital camp.

[MylesBAstor]

I recently bought dCS Rossini DAC and would like to hear your opinion about it, if there are any other dCS users

A warm welcome to the Audionirvana community too!





Thatban Acoustic Solid table in your avatar?

[geceon]

Yes my avatar is an Acoustic Solid turntable. Solid One

[geceon]

After having spent three days with the Rossini Clock, I also decided to add it. The clock is an essential part of it. Once I heard I cannot live without it.

[Madfloyd]

Congrats! I have the Vivaldi DAC and Upsampler and would like to add the clock one day.

[geceon]

Vivaldi is world best dac imho. ( I haven't had chance to hear MSB Select dac by the way ) I have two friends that also added Vivaldi clock in time. They bought say the improvement is huge. We auditioned with and without the clock and I also feel the same way. The problem with the Vivaldi is that it required many cables to operate properly which is additional cost.

[Alrainbow]

What do you use as a source. Server , network ? This would matter reg the clock upgrade.

[geceon]

Rossini has an internal renderer which is connected to my network. I tried both ways from usb input with Macbook pro and network. I think they both sound the same. I heard from another owner he thinks network input is superior to usb input.

[Madfloyd]

I use a music server running Roon.

[Alrainbow]

I don't have your product but do have a dac with features like yours. Networks are very good and if not using a good server they can be better. USB may matter more from a source choice. Better dacs like yours reclocks and isolates as well and will matter less from sources. But even a great dac may need a better server in USB playing
dsd it demands munch source resources. It's one reason better dacs like yours has a network input. USB is very complicated to do right. If you hear the improvement in the clock that's a good sign. Also a better clock matters more in complex music than simple music atleast it did on my dac.
one last commnet this is hi end audio and there is many views to any commnet as in mine. My views are my own that have been acquired from my own trials
over about 6 years. Your dac is a very good dac by anyone's standard at your level it's more about views than better. Hardly anyone writes about hi end dacs and I feel most OWNER'S don't know it's great but pride of ownership is a better judgement in buying it.
Mike who owns the Msb sel 2 is an exception in he has had many hi end dacs and does know more than most.
Enjoy your dac and love its sound. Analog people for the most part will never love digital no matter who or what it is. Yes analog is not digtal and may never be in our lifetime. It too is not or should not be about better it's really yet another great view.

[geceon]

Finally, dCS released MQA update for Rossini yesterday. I tried with some sample files. I do not think MQA will be anything special at all

[jfrech]

Finally, dCS released MQA update for Rossini yesterday. I tried with some sample files. I do not think MQA will be anything special at all

I've heard both sides of the MQA debate...but put the most stock into those that have actually heard it. The update should be ready for my Vivaldi DAC soon, soon I'll post my thoughts...

[LeeScoggins]

In my opinion, Esoteric is a little better sounding than dCS. The build quality on the dCS is superb but the sound is not as good as their main competitor Esoteric.

[LeeScoggins]

After having spent three days with the Rossini Clock, I also decided to add it. The clock is an essential part of it. Once I heard I cannot live without it.

I've done this A/B and the clock made a pretty significant difference.