dCS Varese System

dCS positions Varese as its most ambitious system to date, a complete setup built from a Core hub, Mono DACs, a Master Clock, and a Transport, connected over ACTUS, a single-cable interconnect that carries audio, control, and timing together.

It uses the Differential Ring DAC, which dCS describes as the biggest change to its Ring DAC architecture in a generation, with doubled current sources and a new differential mode for improved linearity and noise floor, synchronized across the Mono DAC pair using dCS's patented Tomix clocking protocol.

The Mono DAC Pair, Master Clock and Transport are configuration add-ons below rather than separate purchases: pick what you want built onto the Core. 

Core System (included in every configuration; includes User Interface touchscreen, remote and ACTUS cable)

• Formats: PCM 44.1 to 384 kS/s up to 24 bit; DSD/64 through DSD/512; native DSD and DoP
• Inputs: Ethernet, USB Type A, USB 2.0 Type B, three AES/EBU on XLR, optional S/PDIF on RCA
• Outputs: ACTUS, optional S/PDIF, word clock on BNC
• Streaming: Roon Ready, UPnP, Mosaic ACTUS control app
• Core dimensions: 244 x 444 x 438 mm with the Digital I/O Module; User Interface dimensions: 131 x 444 x 450 mm including the Bluetooth aerial
• Combined weight: 106 lbs (Core plus User Interface)
• Power: 30W in use, under 2W standby
• Digital I/O Module: a factory-fit option inside the Core adding S/PDIF input and output; call to add one, dCS publish no separate specifications for it

Mono DAC Pair add-on (sold and used as a pair)

• Converter: dCS Differential Ring DAC
• Outputs: two balanced pairs on four XLR, two unbalanced pairs on four RCA
• Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms
• Output impedance: 1.5 ohms XLR, 52 ohms RCA
• Residual noise: better than 118 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Spurious responses: better than -115 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Dimensions: 131 x 444 x 437 mm each
• Weight: 41.3 lbs each, 82.6 lbs the pair

Master Clock add-on

• dCS do not publish clock frequencies, accuracy or power figures for this unit
• Dimensions: 131 x 444 x 437 mm
• Weight: 34.7 lbs

Transport add-on

• Mechanism: dual laser CD and SACD
• Output: one ACTUS, 44.1 kS/s from CD and DSD from SACD
• Supplied with: 1.5m ACTUS cable
• Dimensions: 130 x 444 x 425 mm
• Weight: 44.3 lbs
• Power: 30W in use, under 2W standby