dCS Rossini Apex DAC.
 

In the December issue of Stereophile Products of the year the Rossini Apex Dac finished number 2 behind Wilson Alexx V speakers. John Atkinson had it as his number one pick. His review from Sept 2022


Incomparable
The Rossini Apex DAC is more than another upgrade; it's a major advance in digital sound reproduction, one that elevates an already excellent DAC to a much higher level. With dramatic improvements in bass, color saturation, detail, texture, and coherence, its presentation is more realistic and refined than that of the original Rossini DAC. In many respects, the Rossini Apex DAC now performs on a level previously exclusive to the Vivaldi DAC.

Should existing Rossini owners consider the upgrade? Unless the $9000 upgrade price is prohibitive, without question. The Rossini Apex DAC is a must-hear for anyone who cares about cutting-edge sound reproduction. The improvements are impossible to miss. Once you hear them, there's no going back. But be aware that because the Rossini Apex DAC sounds so natural and unforced, you may not realize how good it is until you compare it with other top-tier DACs

Overall, the dCS Rossini Apex's measured performance was beyond reproach.—John Atkinson. :thumbsup::thumbsup:




https://www.stereophile.com/content/...x-da-processor

While I'm sure it is a fine DAC, if its made in the UK then JA will love it. May have to do with the fact that JA is a Brit and Stereophile is owned by the Brits. His bias is obvious.

Cambridge. I seriously doubt JA would make up a bunch of stuff just because he's a Brit.


https://dcsaudio.com/timeline

To be fair, Glenn didn't suggest that JA "make(s) up a bunch of stuff" but only suggested that he's biased toward UK made products. As far as that goes, I tend to agree. That said, I have no doubt at all that this DCS DAC nails it. For the obscene price it had better.

Hello,

Does Rossini Apex sound as good as $50k turntable? In my opinion the Air Force 3 premium with good cartridge and tonearm (Graham Engineering ) beat teh APEX Rossini in 2022.

Is it true that all I can hope for in a $30-50K CD player that it will be a little inferior to vinyl? CH Precision has a new one CD 1.5, ($46k), and I heard that the Neodio Origine S2 ($25k) is good too but limited availability I think. I just have the Esoteric K01x and Simaudio Andromeda.

Bill

You will get a hundred different opinions as to which is better digital or vinyl no matter what you spend.

My turntable just collects dust, "if" there is a SQ benefit it is offset by the hassle of vinyl. Others love that hassle.

For me the $9k expenditure for the APEX Upgrade was a no brainer.

So hard to get top quality and not go broke
 

I would love cd to be equal to vinyl or better.

True some LPs scratchy even some new ones. Shame as it was super expensive. Decca Wagner Rheingold, Solti 2022 remaster. Quality issue I think. My used records of that performance no scratches!

I will admit the remastered SACD may have been superior to 50k turntable, quick listen. Brahms 1 Ozawa BSO, Japan sacd versus vinyl version. SACD had wonderful detail. Issue is there aren't too many around. Yes Solti Ring has SACD.

I have hopes for future improvement in cd players but so far it's been slower than I'd like.

Vivaldi is tops and has great advantages at a high cost. I just liked the mellow but Dynamic contrast of Clearaudio master innovation. I cannot afford Vivaldi.


Bill

Hi Bill,

I have not heard a $50K source, but I think your SACD reference kind of answers the question. SACDs and vinyl typically have much more information on them than CDs, which we hear as decay, body, depth, soundstage...So if you like that feeling in the room, I think it's going to be vinyl.

On a personal level, I am awaiting delivery of a Clearaudio Ovation after a long hiatus from vinyl. Currently kicking myself for dropping so much $ on CDs over the past few years

I have no dog in this hunt, but it's interesting to contrast the upgrade strategies of dCs and MSB. From a price standpoint, the Rossini upgrade is certainly less than adding an MSB Premier Director. It remains to be seen how the two perform.