Vivaldi APEX

Reference System

Starting at$46,500 DAC only · System components priced separately

For over a decade, the benchmark against which all other digital systems are measured. The four-box Vivaldi APEX — DAC, Upsampler, Master Clock, and Transport — represents the pinnacle of dCS's proven architecture.

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The Story

The Vivaldi has been the reference standard in digital audio since its introduction in 2012. The APEX upgrade, derived from research that led to the Varèse, brought a completely redesigned output stage, improved clock signal transmission, and enhanced power supply performance to the Ring DAC.

The four-box architecture dedicates each chassis to a single function: the DAC handles conversion, the Upsampler manages format processing and streaming, the Master Clock provides precision timing, and the Transport handles disc playback.

This separation of functions is fundamental to the Vivaldi's performance — each component operates in its own electrically isolated environment with dedicated power supplies and transformers, minimizing interference between digital and analog stages.

The Vivaldi APEX system delivers a virtually boundless soundstage with extraordinary weight, texture, and three-dimensional imaging. It is the system that defined what digital audio could aspire to — and with the APEX upgrade, it continues to set the standard.

Specifications

Type

Four-box reference system

DAC

Ring DAC APEX

Components

DAC, Upsampler Plus, Clock, Transport

Streaming

Tidal, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP

Upsampling

DXD, DSD, DSDx2

Inputs

USB, AES, Dual AES, S/PDIF

Output

Balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA

Transport

CD/SACD via Dual AES

Made In

Cambridgeshire, England

Software

Upgradeable firmware

DAC Price

$46,500

Upsampler Plus

$25,500

Key Technologies

Ring DAC APEX

The APEX upgrade brings a redesigned output stage with lower output impedance, improved clock signal routing, and compound transistor pairs — derived from Varèse research.

Dedicated Upsampler

The Vivaldi Upsampler Plus handles all streaming, format conversion, and upsampling in its own chassis — keeping digital processing away from the DAC's sensitive analog stage.

Master Clock

A dedicated external clock provides the timing reference for the entire system, reducing jitter to vanishingly low levels and improving spatial coherence.

Four-Box Architecture

Complete electrical isolation between functions — each component has its own power supply, transformers, and processing, minimizing interference.

SACD Transport

A dedicated disc transport with proprietary SACD decryption via Dual AES connection for bit-perfect playback of the highest-resolution disc format.

Firmware Upgradeable

dCS has delivered multiple major software updates to the Vivaldi over its lifespan, ensuring the system continues to evolve and improve.

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Why Buy the Vivaldi APEX at AudioConcepts

Hear It First

The Vivaldi APEX is available for audition in our listening rooms, paired with world-class amplification and loudspeakers.

Network Expertise

dCS streaming demands a properly configured network. We'll ensure your setup is optimized for flawless, high-resolution playback.

System Integration

We'll help you build the complete system around your Vivaldi APEX — amplification, speakers, cabling, and power all matched for optimal performance.

Upgrade Path

dCS products evolve with firmware updates and hardware upgrades. We'll keep your system current and performing at its best.