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Welcome to the dCS Knowledge Base. You can either browse the Knowledge Base by category or search for content using the search field at the bottom of the page (please use keywords rather than sentences to search).
My Pronto / Nevo remote only works when it is on the charging cradle.
This is an indication that the battery needs to be replaced. Lithium batteries are considered to be “hazardous goods”, so we are unable to supply replacements directly.
The model number is printed on a label on the back for Pronto (RU960, TSU3500 or TSU9400) or on the front for Nevo (S70 or Q50). Search on the internet for a battery to suit your remote (e.g.: “Pronto TSU9400 battery”) to find a battery supplier and buy one.
To access the battery:
RU960 / TSU3500 – hold down the arrow tab on the back and slide the cover off towards the top.
TSU9400 – the battery cover on the back is secured by a Torx T 0.5 screw.
S70 – push the tab towards the top and lift off.
Q50 – prise out the 2 rubber pads near the bottom edge of the back, remove the 2 Philips screws and lift the cover off.
Fit the new battery, replace the cover and charge the remote before using it again.
Battery replacement is not difficult to do, but dCS cannot take responsibility if you have any difficulty.
After updating MinimServer, my system will not play DSD files.
You may need to reinstall MinimStreamer through MinimWatch on your PC. Next, right-click the MinimWatch icon, go to Options > Properties > System and re-enter the stream.transcode information:
dff:dop,dsf:dop
What are your reference network systems?
Our network products are currently developed and tested using the following.
NAS drives: QNAP TS412, Synology 216+, Netgear ReadyNAS Duo v2.
UPnP software: Twonky, MinimServer, Asset.
How do I assign a fixed IP address to my Rossini?
Press the Rossini’s Menu button 3 times to find the Rossini’s IP address, enter it into a web browser to bring up the Rossini’s home page. Select Network Settings > Wired > DHCP = no. Enter the IP address you want to use, such as 192.168.1.123. Enter the Subnet Mask as 255.255.255.0.
My dCS USB Class 2 product will not work with Windows XP.
Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP in 2014, so it is not safe to connect an XP machine to the internet. Our current products are no longer tested with XP, so please upgrade to a later version of Windows.
Are you planning to support MQA?
dCS is currently working with MQA to enable MQA support in Rossini, Vivaldi and future dCS products. This is scheduled for 2016 and we expect to announce more details in the Summer. The current situation is that our development team have prototyped an MQA solution inside a dCS DAC but this “software only” mode of enabling MQA has hit some challenges. We are working with the MQA development team to identify solutions to these technical challenges and this work may result in us changing our architecture from software only to a hybrid software and hardware solution.
What is a Ring DAC(TM) Mapper?
dCS DACs oversample in several stages, eventually presenting the Ring DAC(TM) with 5-bit binary data at about 3MS/s. The Mapper decodes the data to a minimum of 32 digital signals, one corresponding to each binary state, then it scrambles the order of the signals. The Mapper randomises small matching errors in the Ring DAC core, converting what would be harmonic distortion to a small amount of extra noise.
Vivaldi DAC v2.00 offers a choice of 3 Mappers – the original 3MS/s design and two new Mapper algorithms that run at about 6MS/s.
Can I play DSD/128 files on my dCS system?
DSD/128 is currently supported by the dCS Rossini Player & DAC (via Network, USB or Dual AES) and the Vivaldi DAC v2.00 onwards (via USB or Dual AES).
How do I rip my CDs?
You will need a PC with a CD drive (it can be external), loaded with ripping software such as dBPowerAmp Ripper or JRiver Media Center. Run the ripping software and set the location of your music library (which can be a networked drive). Load the disc, wait while it is read. You may need to help the software identify the disc so that the metadata or artwork is picked up correctly. Select “Rip disc” and wait until the process is complete. If necessary, edit the tags and find the album art on the internet. Eject the disc. Job done!
How do I load new software into my Rossini Clock?
The Rossini Clock’s front panel is deliberately simpler than our other Master Clocks, so there is limited scope for adding more features. At the time of writing, the current Clock software is v1.00 and this might not change. If new software becomes available (please check the Software History section), the update can be loaded by your dealer via the RS232 interface.
How do I load new software into my Rossini Player or DAC?
The Rossini Player and DAC are intended to be updated over the internet via the Network interface. Open the Rossini app, tap “Configure” for the device you want to update, then “Information > Version” and “Check for Updates”. Follow the instructions on screen.
For users who do not have internet access, the Main Software can be updated from a disc or file (please contact your distributor), but this does not update the Network firmware. Please see the update instructions for more information.
Rossini Player in CD mode does not lock to Vivaldi / Scarlatti / Paganini Clock
The Rossini Player in CD mode is compatible with Vivaldi, Scarlatti & Paganini Master Clocks, however it will only lock to word clock at 44.1kHz to match the CD sample rate. At other clock frequencies, the Master icon is displayed. The Player’s other inputs will of course lock to compatible word clock frequencies in the range 44.1-192kHz.
Why does the Rossini Player display “No Disc” when an SACD is loaded?
The Rossini Player reads RedBook CDs or the CD layer of hybrid discs only. We could not find an CD/SACD mechanism of sufficient quality to use in the Rossini Player.
Can I use the Rossini Master Clock with my Vivaldi system?
It is possible to use the Rossini Clock with a Vivaldi DAC and Transport, or (in a limited way) a Vivaldi Upsampler and DAC. The Rossini Clock does not have enough outputs to synchronise 3 units.
How can I play SACDs with my Rossini Player or DAC?
The Rossini Player or DAC is designed to accept DSD data from SACDs played on a Vivaldi Transport, Scarlatti Transport (v1.11) or Paganini Transport (v1.11) via the Dual AES interface.
Using a Scarlatti Transport with a Vivaldi system, why does the sound drop out?
If the the system is set to lock to the Master Clock set to 176.4kHz, you will find that the Scarlatti Transport is not displaying “Sync” because it cannot lock to 176.4kHz word clock. Set the Master Clock Group driving the Transport (v1.11) to 44.1 or 88.2kHz .
The Vivaldi Transport will lock to 176.4kHz word clock.
If I load the dCS USB Driver 2014, can I play 24/384 files via my dCS USB device?
The updated Windows driver can be used with Debussy, Puccini, Paganini and Scarlatti USB Class 2 products at up to 24/192 (+ DoP). The USB interface on the Vivaldi DAC v1.10 and USB1 on the Vivaldi Upsampler v1.10 will also accept data at 24/352.8 or 24/384.
How do I use the Vivaldi DAC’s “Universal Master Mode”?
This feature is for use with Vivaldi DAC v1.10 and Vivaldi Upsampler v1.10 onwards. Many computer audio libraries contain files at several different sample rates. Changing rates sometimes causes locking problems when the DAC is set to standard Master Mode. To avoid this, we have added Universal Master Mode – this sets the DAC’s Word Clock Output to generate 38.4kHz always. The Upsampler can lock both its crystal oscillators to this frequency, simplifying the locking sequence. If you have a Vivaldi Master Clock, use this instead – it gives better sonic performance. Our other products are not compatible with this feature at the time of writing.
Can I play 24/352.8 or 24/384 files via the USB interface?
The Vivaldi DAC and Vivaldi Upsampler loaded with software v1.10 onwards will accept 24/352.8 or 24/384 data via USB. For Windows PCs, the dCS USB Driver 2014 must be installed. Older products will not accept data at these rates directly over USB, so the streaming program should be set to down-sample to 192kS/s maximum.
Some of the Vivaldi DAC and Upsampler’s inputs have disappeared
Software version 1.10 onwards temporarily disables any inputs that are not connected and driven with digital data. This makes it easier to find the inputs you are actually using. Once you connect an input to an active source, you will be able to select it. (The Upsampler’s USB2, iPod and Network inputs do not have this feature.)