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| May 2011 | Issue 5 |
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24/192 Debussy DAC Available | Product of Year Awards | Computer Audio
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| PRODUCT
LAUNCH |
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The
dCS Debussy DAC now features a 24/192 asynchronous USB interface as
standard, bringing listeners the legendary dCS Ring DAC and our award
winning asynchronous USB technology in a one box DAC that will extract amazing performance from any digital source.
We
are also working on 24/192 capability for the Puccini U-Clock, which will be
available later in May. Any existing Debussy or Puccini U-Clock owners
wishing to upgrade their USB functionality please contact your local dCS distributor or dealer as this will require both a software and hardware update.
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| PRODUCT NEWS |
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Our
continuing quest to make sure that every dCS product is the best in its
class in terms of technical measurements and subjective sound quality
means that we continue to update and upgrade the functionality in our
current product ranges.
The following dCS software updates have been released recently:
| dCS Product | Software Version | Features | | Debussy DAC | v2.00 | - Support for 24/192 over USB on both Windows and Mac OSX (Note: This upgrade requires a hardware and software update for existing units)
| | Puccini Player | v.1.21 | - Asymmetrical & "Long" DSP Filter options added.
- DSD performance improved.
| | Scarlatti DAC | v1.10 | - Asymmetrical and "Long" Filter options added.
- DSD performance improved.
- Additional IR commands for word clock sync and phase.
- EasyPlay amended to suit Upsampler set to DSD
- Menu navigation by forward/back buttons
- LED "Off" function added.
| | Scarlatti Upsampler | v.1.11 | - Improved WASAPI support.
- Additional filter choices are now available for 9 conversions,
including asymmetrical filters for all conversions from 44.1kS/s.
- Clone Lock mode added.
- Support for the Output rate IR command from the dCS Premium Remote handset
| | Paganini Upsampler | v1.10 | - Improved WASAPI support.
- Additional filter choices are now available for 9 conversions,
including asymmetrical filters for all conversions from 44.1kS/s.
- Clone Lock mode added.
- Support for the Output rate IR command from the dCS Premium Remote handset
- LED "Off" function added.
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There are also updates in the queue for Puccini Clock and Paganini systems so please check the relevant product page on our website for details of the latest software version for any dCS product.
If you require a software update disc or more information on any product please contact your local dCS distributor or dealer.
COMPUTER AUDIO
We recently updated our Guide to Computer Audio to include the following:
Music Playback Applications
• Pure Music Player was added to the Mac OSX section
• Changes were also made to the recommended set up for Amarra and JRiver users.
• iTunes running on Windows operating systems was also included.
• Audio soundcard configuration using RME HDSP AES-32
WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API)
• First appeared in Windows Vista and enables audio to be sent directly to a sound device.
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Note: dCS USB equipped products now support WASAPI and for sound
quality it is the preferred Windows audio configuration
Remote Control
•
The Guide now includes setup instructions for remote controlling a
music server as well as updated specifications for recommended
components. It can be downloaded from the Support section of our
website.
Example Computer Audio Systems
• The Guide now features examples of complete computer audio systems.
Click here to download a copy of the Guide. Please note: we will update the Guide again soon to support 24/192 over USB.
AWARDS
2010 was a great year for dCS again as we collected a number of awards for our digital audio products:
- Stereophile – dCS Puccini & U-Clock - Digital Product of 2010
- The Absolute Sound – dCS Debussy - Digital Component of 2010
- Tone Magazine – dCS Paganini - Digital Product of 2010
- The Absolute Sound 2011 Editor's Choice Awards – dCS Scarlatti, Puccini & U-Clock, Debussy
- HiFi & Records Germany Editor's Choice 2011 - dCS Puccini
- HiFi Review Hong Kong & China – D-A Converter of Year 2010 – dCS Debussy
We
are proud to have scooped these awards from such famous and respected
magazines and rest assured we are busy trying to raise the performance
level of our products even further.
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| REVIEWS | |
Digital Supremacy: dCS Paganini Digital Playback System
Tone
Magazine, recently reviewed the complete dCS Paganini system. The
Editor, Jeff Dorgay, loved the system so much he awarded it his Digital
Product of the Year for 2010. The complete review can be downloaded from our website.
World's Most Desirable Kit - dCS Puccini
What Hi-Fi? UK were blown away by the performance of Puccini and Puccini U-Clock, so much they awarded it 5 stars and wrote:
"If
you want to hear digital files- be they CD, SACD or off a computer -
this two box dCS (Puccini and U-Clock) is an absolutely wonderful way
to hear them "
Read the full review by clicking here.
A True dCS?
Alan Taffel, Absolute Sound, wrote about Debussy in February 2011:
‘The
last thing to report that this DAC does is deliver the best USB sound I
have ever heard. Setup must be done with care (see sidebar), but the
results can be extraordinary. I have no idea if the dCS Debussy will
meet with the same success Bentley’s Continental GT has enjoyed. What I
do know is that it delivers everything its builders intended in terms
of performance, usability, and yes, value. Is it a “true” dCS? You
don’t even need to look under the hood to find out. Just listen.’
The complete review can be downloaded from our website.
Stack of DACs
Michael Fremer, Stereophile, wrote about Debussy in his January 2011 review for Stereophile:
‘Not
surprisingly, then, the Debussy's rhythmic drive and ability to induce
musical involvement were sensational, particularly with hi-rez
recordings. The dCS Debussy is a flexible, well-made, physically
attractive multi-input DAC-preamp that makes use of dCS's highly
regarded Ring DAC technology and discrete analog output circuitry. The
Debussy's digital sound mirrors my general preferences for analog
playback: fast, taut, extended, and dynamic, with no cover-ups: If the
recording is bad, that's what I want to hear. If the recording is
superb, I want to hear it in all its glory. The dCS Debussy did
both.’
You can read the review on the Stereophile website by clicking here.
Fonder Prelude
David Price, Editor of HiFi World reviewed Debussy DAC in February 2011:
‘The
dCS Debussy stands or falls on its 16/44 playback, which of course
forms the vast majority of most people’s digital diet. Here this
digital convertor really shines, turning in a wide and well ordered
soundstage, fine dynamics, oodles of detail, and rich and full bass and
silky treble. On top of all this is an easy rhythmic quality that does
nothing except promote enjoyment of the music. I'd say the Debussy is
all most people would ever really need.’
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| NEW PRODUCTS |
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Debussy
DAC and (later this month) Puccini U-Clock feature a 24/192 USB capability. For more
information on how to upgrade your existing Puccini system or Debussy
DAC please contact your local dCS distributor or dealer.
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OUR TEAM
Raveen Bawa, Export Sales Manager
Before
joining dCS, Rav trained and then worked as a chef for a number of
years, specialising in Greek, Italian and Indian food. The heat of the
kitchen and crazy hours got too much and a career in Electronics was
his next calling.
After a number of years with a major
semi-conductor manufacturer, Rav joined dCS in 1998 as a Workshop
Technician. He spent 6 years in our Production department building and
testing all types of dCS product.
Rav's positive personality,
knowledge of dCS products and commitment to customer service saw him
move into the Sales and Marketing department in 2004 and he now travels
the world representing dCS.
His main hobbies are travelling, cooking and listening to music through his new Puccini system.
What Am I Listening To?
My
answer to this question surprised even myself as the current
favourites in my playlist were all female singers or led by
female vocalists.
Shelby Lynne - Just a Little Lovin'
In
my opinion Lynne and Phil Ramone have produced an album that
conveys real emotion and intimacy and succeeds in paying tribute to
Dusty Springfield in a contemporary way.
I love the stripped
back feel to this album and with most tracks there is just some
simple guitar, piano and light percussion. This, along with the
recording quality really helps to convey nuance and emotion and in my
opinion sexiness.
Chambao - Caminando 2001-2006
With my wife being Spanish I'm constantly trying to improve my Spanish and the more I visit Spain the more music I come home with.
This
Spanish chillout flamenco group began as a trio, then became a
duo, and finally ended up being a solo act under that name by lone
remaining member Mari, who tours under the Chambao moniker with a
seven-piece band.
For me this is a great collection of their work and musical journey and highlights the fantastic vocals of La Mari.
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| EVENTS |
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Munich High End 2011
Munich M.O.C., Germany
19 - 22 May 2011| Website
This month sees one of the largest shows on the European calendar. Please contact
us to meet our team or listen to dCS products at this event.
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| WHAT ARE WE LISTENING TO? |
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As
we settle into our new factory, we have had to make a number of
modifications (some major, some minor) to our listening room in order
to improve the
sound.
This issue we would like to share some of the
pieces of music we have been using to help us tune our system and get real musicality from it.
One thing these tracks have in common is
an exceptional degree of musicianship by the performers. That could be
something as deceptively simple as playing properly in time, and in
tune, but often it’s also much more subtle: a sense that the performers
are always giving the job their full attention.
It’s like the
difference between a good concert, and a great and memorable one. Just
about all of these pieces have the potential to be great and memorable.
They also often fail to live up to that potential. What we’ve
discovered is that it’s not the fault of the recording, or the
musicians, but it might just be telling you something fundamental and
important about your hifi system. Enjoy!
L Arpeggiata. All improvviso. Alpha 512
Track # 2 Folia
This
can sound tight and energetic, vigorous dance-making music which is
hard to ignore, and why would you want to? Or it can sound
disconnected, as if the musicians are not paying enough attention to
each other.
The Beatles. Abbey Road. EMI
Track # 1 Come Together
This,
one of the more psychedelic Beatles tracks, is tight, insistent and
relentless but the vocal is never overwhelmed by the other parts. It
drives along, despite some pretty loose middle sections. On systems
which can’t keep their heads with complex music, the timing is vague,
instrumental placement indistinct and the whole thing, especially the
bridge section, becomes rather pointless and self-indulgent.
Abdullah Ibrahim. Cape Town Songs. Enja Records
Track # 1 Imam
There’s
a bass guitar riff which underpins this piece while the other musicians
take a relaxed approach to timing. On the right system this is clearly
intentional, and skilfully done, and the piece hangs together
beautifully. On the wrong system, the timing is just vague; loose but
not deliberately so; disconnected, and slightly raucous.
A
special thanks must go to Blade Audio, The Audio Works, RPG Europe,
Harris Grant and Turtle Records who have all helped us with advice,
equipment, great music and patience setting up our new
listening room.
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Look out for another Bits
newsletter in the Autumn. Enjoy the summer!
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| dCS WEBSITE | FIND A DEALER | AUDIOPHILE | NEWS &
EVENTS | CONTACT US |
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Copyright
© Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Unit 1, Buckingway Business Park, Swavesey, Cambridge, CB24 4AE, UK |
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