dCS Varese short review
- Thread starter craigr
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Very interesting post and I can relate to “the model of dynamics of real classical music experiences“. This is where much of the realism resides.
The Varese is a much better DAC than Vivaldi (sadly). It just has such a natural sound while keeping its neutrality. They are a dyed in the wool engineering/hardware company.
Cue up for the Wadax dealer reply
I have a good relationship with our local Wadax dealer - I have bought lots of gear from him, including the VTL's. He also distributes Avantgarde, if it was not for the absolute need and high price of the bass horns I could have been tempted to try the Trio G3 in my new room.
The system around the Vivaldi was critical - I always said and keep saying it is not an "easy" component. However, properly accompanied it is a fabulous DAC. I have listened to it sounding great - memorable sessions - but also miserable in the same room. The Varese seems less a lot less critical.
At Brian Berdan's demo of Varese (D'Agostino on XVX) versus my and pk_LA's audition of Apex (Boulder on Alexx V) I felt the Varese sounded excellent (if not my personal, subjective cup of tea).* The Varese sounded the way I was expecting the Apex to sound. (I remain puzzled why people rave about the Apex.)
*Yes, I am extremely well aware of the meaninglessness of trying to isolate the sound of a single component in an unfamiliar system in an unfamiliar room. I make this point all the time.
*Yes, I am extremely well aware of the meaninglessness of trying to isolate the sound of a single component in an unfamiliar system in an unfamiliar room. I make this point all the time.
Ever the Audio diplomat. I’m with Rexp. What does this even mean if you say something sounds excellent but it’s not your cup of tea.
When I say something is not my cup of tea, what I mean is that I don’t like it. If I don’t like the sound of something, I would never describe it as excellent.
Ron, could you tell us what you actually heard when listening to music from that DAC?
Most systems are not my cup of tea in the sense that I would not be happy owning them instead of my own system, which I made the effort to tailor to my tastes as much as possible, regardless of its limitations and those of my room.
That doesn't mean that I cannot appreciate or even enjoy their virtues.
***
Having said that, I agree that Ron should be more specific in his description.
This is why so many people on forums talk past each other endlessly. They cannot separate their personal subjective sonic preferences from other equally valid personal subjective sonic preferences.
I have heard enough systems with enough audiophiles that I have no problem understanding and making this separation.
I have heard enough systems with enough audiophiles that I have no problem understanding and making this separation.
Agreed, Ron.
As for your experience of the Varese, I would still like more specifics. What did you find excellent about its performance and what in its musical presentation was not your cup of tea?
Of course it does. You make the mistake of assuming that because you cannot do something, other people cannot do that thing.
Makes no sense to me either, especially the last para. Why do you post about it if you think it is meaningless? I never give opinions on things I think meaningless, like isolating a single sound in an unfamiliar system or at a hifi show
Totally agree. If someone tells me a system is “not his cup of tea” I immediately think that he doesn’t like it, but he has to be polite for someone unknown reason, so he uses this vague phrase.
Now, I understand that the hobby is very subjective and different people prioritize different sonic attributes. We could also find reviewers and hobbies and dealers who will like almost any component. Should we conclude from that almost every component is excellent because someone somewhere loves it? I don’t think so. In this new age of pleas for transparency, should we not strive to be a little bit more clear when we communicate our opinions about systems or components we have heard?
I understand that the top Wadax, dCS, and MSB are all great sounding DACs. Some love their Yggys too. As a hobbyist, I am interested in reading, from those who have actually made meaningful comparisons, how they sound different playing music. If someone doesn’t like one of them as much for a specific reason, I would be interested in reading why. You won’t get that from reading reviews or marketing promotional material.
Francisco’s comment about the Varese presenting the dynamics of live classical music is a great start. Can the others do that as well as the dCS?
Can I ask you how you "expected the Apex to sound"?
I must say I can't see how you compare a D'Agostino on XVX system to another Boulder on Alexx V. As you know I appreciate a lot Wilson speakers, particularly with D'Agostino's I can´t afford, but dislike them with Boulder. Surely just my preference, I just point it to show these associations sound very different.
Sorry, I can' t see why someone is "puzzled" with others preference. Or are you just puzzled by the high number of people raving about Apex?
Yes, but IMO if the experience was overall positive and we know well the recording an experienced listener can always learn from it - no system matching or set-up can save gear with poor performance. But negatives can be simply due to matching or set-up.
Nope. See Post #18.
You don't even do digital. Why are you here fencing on something you don't even care about?
Yes, I know you've been traumatized ever since I was polite about your solid-state on Magico the very first time you were hosting me in person.
In fact, following the separate threads written along time with opinions scattered along several discussions and knowing well the posters you can get a reasonable idea of how these DACs sound. As soon as you start doing compares, biases and the push of "mine is better than yours" kills any hope of a fair description. Although I understand your audiophile curiosity, I would suggest you to ask DDK about these three DACs - probably he will address exactly what you want to know.
Edit - for a well written opinion I fully endorse, please read Craig post #8
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/dcs-varese-short-review.39573/post-1003655
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With an unfamiliar system in an unfamiliar room I cannot give you anything more specific, I'm afraid. All I know is that in Pat's system with very similar sounding speakers (XVX and Alexia V) and the same cables and Boulder the Apex sounded like a cool, clinical not great solid-state DAC, in direct comparison to eight or so other DACs we auditioned. At Brian's the Varese sounded like a great solid-state DAC.
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What does it mean to sound like a great solid-state DAC? Is there something missing in comparison to a great tube DAC, in your view, and is there something gained?
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