The Vivaldi One was released in 2017 to mark dCS's 30th anniversary. Inspired by the success of our Vivaldi series—which comprises a DAC, Upsampler, CD/SACD Transport and Master Clock—we set out to create a limited-edition system that distilled the Vivaldi’s core features and technologies into a single, exquisitely finished playback device.
Just 250 Vivaldi One systems were produced, and they quickly sold out. We’ve since received numerous emails, letters and phone calls from music lovers around the world looking to purchase a Vivaldi One. Whilst we were delighted to see such a strong demand for the product, and had often considered re-releasing the Vivaldi One, we ultimately decided to focus our efforts on developing new features and enhancements to our Vivaldi and Rossini ranges, as well as developing the dCS Bartók.
This year, however, we launched a major hardware upgrade that allowed us to further enhance the performance of the Vivaldi DAC, Rossini DAC and Rossini Player. Our new dCS Ring DAC™ APEX hardware is measurably better in several ways, and brings a range of sonic improvements, with listeners noting enhanced dynamics, rhythm and timing, greater soundstage resolution and image focus, blacker backgrounds, and a heightened sense of realism.
Following extensive development, and several rounds of testing [read more about the process here], we decided to launch new APEX editions of the Vivaldi DAC, Rossini DAC, and Rossini Player, which feature the Ring DAC APEX hardware as standard. We also announced the launch of a global upgrade programme for existing owners of the Vivaldi DAC, Rossini DAC, Rossini Player and original Vivaldi One.
The response to the upgrade programme, and the launch of our Rossini and Vivaldi APEX models, has been overwhelming. The positive feedback we received from the audio community inspired us to explore the idea of releasing an APEX edition of the dCS Vivaldi One, and with our 35th anniversary just around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to release a new, improved edition of a much-loved and celebrated dCS product.
The Vivaldi One APEX combines all of the benefits of the original Vivaldi One with our new, enhanced Ring DAC APEX hardware to deliver an even more profound musical experience.
Just 50 units will be available, in anodised silver or black—classic dCS finishes. The system will be unveiled at the 2022 Munich High-End show, and dCS will host demonstrations throughout the four-day event.
Units are available to order now and will begin shipping in June. The first 10 systems purchased will be dispatched on June 1 and remaining models will ship in late July 2022.
More information about the Vivaldi One APEX will be released on May 4. Follow dCS on social media at @dCSonlythemusic, or subscribe via email here, if you’d like to receive updates.
Customers looking to order a Vivaldi One APEX should contact their nearest dCS retailer—see our online Dealer Locator tool for details of stockists in your area.
Features & Specifications
The Vivaldi One APEX is a powerful network music player and CD/SACD Transport. It offers the same core technologies as the globally renowned dCS Vivaldi series, including the latest-generation dCS Ring DAC, and the dCS Digital Processing Platform, as well as our proprietary clocking system.
It supports all major lossless codecs, including MQA, and is compatible with a wide range of streaming services and music management platforms, including Roon, TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Internet Radio and Spotify. It also supports streaming via Apple AirPlay, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect.
For silver disc enthusiasts, its Esoteric VMK3 VRDS-Neo CD/SACD mechanism works in tandem with dCS hardware and software to extract revelatory levels of detail from standard and Super Audio CDs. An array of digital inputs, plus multi-stage DXD oversampling with optional DSD/64 or DSD/128 upsampling, and user-selectable DSP and DSD filters, offer unrivalled flexibility.
The system’s performance is driven by flexible firmware, which can be easily updated to deliver new product features and enhancements. An aerospace-grade aluminium chassis reduces mechanical vibration and magnetic effects for enhanced audio performance, while features such as multi-stage power regulation, twin mains transformers, and separate power supplies for digital and analogue sections ensure maximum consistency and reliability.
Read Paul Miller and David Price’s review of the original Vivaldi One, published in Hi-Fi News, here.
Learn more about APEX
More information about the Ring DAC APEX is available here.
You can also watch our short film celebrating the launch of APEX, and dCS's commitment to continual product development, here.
