Article: dCS Rossini DAC Review

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, amir57bs said:

I think dCS could not make good DAC even at 120k$.

if you listen to dCS in a high sensitivity loudspeaker like living voice horn with kondo electronics you will find dCS is the most boring dac.

i have listened to elgar and scarlatti, they just kill emotion of music.

 

Amir

Please tell us what you really think. I'm struggling to read between the lines :~)

 

The beauty of this hobby is that we all have a tremendous number of choices.

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, amir57bs said:

No body told me avantgarde is emotional.

The voice in your head didn't tell you? Only kidding Amir.

 

I've heard some very emotional and enjoyable Avantgarde based systems over the years. With really clean power and front end, they can sound fantastic.

[The Computer Audiophile]

53 minutes ago, Blake said:

Chris,

 

I know it may sound ridiculous to some, but since you just reviewed it recently, can the Yggy Analog 2 go toe to toe with the Rossini, or is the Rossini is clear step better in your subjective opinion? 

Very logical question, but complicated to answer. The Rossini sounds better than the Yggy in my system, but also consider what one's room, one's choice of preamp (mandatory with Yggy) (I bypassed the pre with Rossini), one's listening preferences, PCM or DSD or MQA, feature set (Ethernet input, RoonReady etc...). Because the Yggy doesn't have Ethernet and RoonReady, you have to consider what input your using when thinking about the comparison, etc...

 

To compare the Yggdrasil to the Rossini you must include the source component such as a Signature Rendu SE, the Yggy, and a preamp. The Rossini ethernet input and internal volume control (2V or 6V output) handles everything. 

 

I could go on, but it's much more complicated than the question seems. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

5 hours ago, kaka said:

Hi Chris

 

I read through your review waiting for the section on what happens when a DCS (or other) external clock is added to the dac, but it wasn't there. Are you intending doing that at some point?

 

Not at this time. 

 

@miguelito has a Rossini and clock. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 minutes ago, mevdinc said:

This is really strange and I now find the right/left channel thing very confusing.
I even played the Chesky Records channel test sample to double check, and from my listening position the left channel is on left. So, the beginning guitar sound is in the left channel.
Maybe the left channel is referred to as the right speaker from the system's position but Chris did say 'the right channel'.
Sorry to carry on but I just want to make sure I don't have my channels/speakers swapped.

Swapping channels happens accidentally when producing and album or remaster. There are many more examples of this one including Led Zeppelin. 

 

My guess is these versions of the album or at least the track are different. Both our systems are fine :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

9 hours ago, joelha said:

How about ignore the folks who have this fixation on what others spend or how others price their audio equipment?

 

Their unhappiness/discontent/frustration is their own reward.

 

In the meantime, I'm going to continue to enjoy my system.

 

Joel

Hi Joel - Hope all is well in your life since we last talked. 

 

Do you have the version of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan I used in the review?

[The Computer Audiophile]

51 minutes ago, gomle69 said:

Great review. How well does it work with UPnP/DLNA? Do you get gapless playback? Is the native app any good?

Great questions.

 

I really should have put it through my usual torture test of UPnP/DLNA, but I used Roon 99.99% of the time. I will do this and follow up. I feel like I really missed the boat on this one and owe it to the CA Community.

 

The native app is far better than it used to be, but not close to Roon or JRemote level. For some people is will be exactly what they want because it's simple. 

 

More to come.

[The Computer Audiophile]

12 minutes ago, miguelito said:

Suggest some people might be interested in your review of Audirvana's over UPnP to Rossini. It shows up on the A+ list but I never tried it.

Indeed it does appear in A+

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, joelha said:

Hey Chris,

 

I have that SACD however, until I get home, I can't tell if it's the MoFi version.

 

Maybe MoFi's is the only version.

 

Why do you ask?

 

Joel

 

Just wondering if you've had the chance to listen to such a great version of this recording. 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, ShawnC said:

Audiogon has the Wilson Alexandria X-2 Series 1 for $40,000, that's a $95,000 savings

 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis8g4j3-wilson-audio-alexandria-x-2-series-1-in-desert-silver-certified-authentic-full-range

Same here - https://superphonica.com/search-results/?q=wilson audio

[The Computer Audiophile]

Speaking of upgrades etc... The dCS platform is very upgradable. Using history as a guide, people who buy a Rossini today will have a current DAC for many years via free upgrades. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 hours ago, bmichels said:

I read few times that the ROSSINI (that I am contemplating a my next DAC) does support Tidal, Spotify Connect & Deezer, but... I do not see any mention of DEEZER in the Rossini's manual

--> Is DEEZER supported by Rossini (direct, not through airplay)

--> Will QOOBUZ be supported soon ? 

 

thanks in advance

Bertrand MICHELS

Best to get it straight from the horse’s mouth @AMP

[The Computer Audiophile]

45 minutes ago, mrkwr said:

Coming late to this, but I have a question for the reviewer: given the superlatives used in the review text, I wondered what were the factors that led to this getting a 4* rather than 5* rating. Is it down to the price/value ratio, or something else?

The ratings are given by readers of the site and are about the article not the product. Confusing I agree. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, mrkwr said:

Ah, I see, I'm new here. Many thx for the fast clarification. I'm planning to hear dCS kit for myself for the first time next week

No worries.  Welcome to CA. Have a great time listening to dCS. I'll be at the factory mid September. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

5 hours ago, Vincent1234 said:

Nice to hear you love your Rossini. So do I! Regarding the network streamer: I love that possibility on the Rossini too. However it quickly became clear to me that the sound in that case (using Roon) cannot compete with using my Aurender as the server. So that one is staying where it is. YMMV, of course.

I was up until 2am this morning listening through the W20 externally clicked by the Rossini. Wonderful stuff.