The dCS Varèse Music System is on demonstration at LMC Scottsdale, where it is the digital source in the WAMM Room. Sales Consultant Jordan Thompson — who started at LMC as a technician, setting up and troubleshooting systems, before moving into sales — shares his review of the dCS flagship.
Initial thoughts
“The Varèse is one of the rare moments in hi-fi where you remember exactly where you were when you first heard it. Varèse cultivates a truly analog sense of timing, space, and cohesion that no other source has ever provided me.”
Construction and core principles
“Famous for its five-box construction, the Varèse is composed of the following.
Core: The dCS Core is the heart and soul of the Varèse. It handles all of the filtration, input staging, and noise shaping. All of the other components connect directly to the Core via the ACTUS cable, a brand-new cable built in-house to transfer audio, control, and timing signals.
Dual Mono Digital-to-Analog Converters: The Ring DAC architecture went through a complete revision for this project. The DAC modules have showcased ultra-low distortion and a nearly nonexistent noise floor. I believe this is the largest topology change from previous reference products from the brand. Separating the left and right DAC has provided monstrous performance gains to every system we connect it to.
Master Clock: The master clock is a staple of the dCS methodology. The Varèse Master Clock provides improved speed, focus, and presence by ensuring timing accuracy to the central clocks nearest the DACs. Separate-chassis DACs introduce their own set of complications in the timing domain, which are solved by the introduction of Tomix, a new technology implemented to ensure timing accuracy between the two mono chassis.
User Interface: A product is only as good as the level of ease with which you interact with it. dCS provides an easy-to-view, simple-to-navigate user interface, as well as a lovely app that allows the end user to interact with it however they like — whether it be Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, or the dCS Mosaic ACTUS app. The team at dCS has removed all impedances when it comes to accessing your music your way.”
In our Scottsdale showroom
“In our Scottsdale location we are lucky enough to have two dCS Varèse stacks. This has provided me the unique opportunity to audition the Varèse on a multitude of reference systems. With that said, it is truly the least discriminatory product I have heard in my life. Regardless of speaker preference, amplifier preference, cables, etc., the Varèse ALWAYS provides a sense of musicality that feels natural and inviting. It truly is the best source I have ever put my ears on.”
Final thoughts
“The craftspeople at dCS have allotted an immense amount of engineering power, money, and time to create a product that catapults them into a new echelon of source components. That care and attention to detail is not only spent on Varèse but on the rest of their lovely lineup of digital sources.”
The dCS Varèse is on demonstration at LMC Scottsdale. Walk in during business hours, or book ahead for an extended session with Jordan.