dCS Varèse

[MattHooper]

My last turntable was from Acoustic Solid of Germany (one of their mid range heavy metal ones) which I brought while living in the US 15 years ago....but I had to get it from Canada.

I asked the dealer why there were so few dealers in North America and he stated that they mainly focus on the Asian market (as well as the EU as they are German) cause big, heavy stuff sells very well in Asia.

The company founder was a former Chief Metallurgist at BMW so he knows metals and machining very well...hence their focus on heavy, polished metal turntables.

Now I will note that most of their tables are reasonably priced (IMHO.. at least back in 2009) but they do have statement models (and associated stands), as below :

View attachment 444344

They use "string" drive (thin nylon fishing wire) to rotate the platter so looking at this model the two towers (hard left and hard right) at the back each have a motor so this uses a twin string drive system (due I assume to the weight of the platter).


Peter

Acoustic solid makes gorgeous turntables!

I’m not really talking about the oil rig looking stuff like above, but they’re more modest turntables generally have really nice design and materials. I remember it was an audio show quite a few years ago now that I came up upon an acoustic solid turntable and it was so beautiful I said “ I think I have to get a turntable!” Down the rabbit hole I went…

 

[Purité Audio]

They literally have 500 models at Munich ( well maybe 50 ) it’s just mix and match, perspex plinth, metal plinth, glass platter, perspex platter, I would much prefer a Technics DD.
Keith

 

[BeeKay]

I would much prefer a Technics DD

If they only managed to design a TT looking good rather than looking Technics.

 

[Purité Audio]

The expensive one SL 1000 ? is a clean design, pity it’s so expensive.
Keith

 

[BeeKay]

The expensive one SL 1000 ? is a clean design, pity it’s so expensive.
Keith

Nope. Still has the optical genes of a friggin DJ tool. Not my piece of cake.

 

[Purité Audio]

They weren’t developed for DJs they were adopted by DJs , my old SP10 was excellent, SL10s were super cool, I would never countenance the old fruit box/rubber band.
Keith

 

[BeeKay]

If there was a DD version of a RPM 9 or 10 I would go all in.

 

[Mart68]

If there was a DD version of a RPM 9 or 10 I would go all in.

You can get after-market drop in wooden plinths for the Technics decks. Still looks a bit like a Technics but does soften it somewhat.

 

[BeeKay]

You can get after-market drop in wooden plinths for the Technics decks. Still looks a bit like a Technics but does soften it somewhat.

Thanks, but no thanks. Combines the worst of two worlds. Technics ugly platter, S-shaped arm, speed control and the ugly Linn type plinth.

 

[Matias]

PM measurements:

dCS Varèse Music System D/A Processor Measurements | Stereophile.com

Sidebar 5: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

Should be compared to his others for context:

Mola Mola Tambaqui Measurements

In response to precisely that remark on my part they’re suddenly getting inquiries relating to "old design" etc etc... It’s odd that people might think that the development timeline should affect the performance of the product but there you go. Back in the day, for example, McIntosh would keep...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Leeken]

PM measurements:

dCS Varèse Music System D/A Processor Measurements | Stereophile.com

Sidebar 5: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

Should be compared to his others for context:

Mola Mola Tambaqui Measurements

In response to precisely that remark on my part they’re suddenly getting inquiries relating to "old design" etc etc... It’s odd that people might think that the development timeline should affect the performance of the product but there you go. Back in the day, for example, McIntosh would keep...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So it’s a multi box Topping for billionaires

 

[fatoldgit]

So it’s a multi box Topping for billionaires

Or anyone with sufficient funds that suffers from "insufficient appendage length syndrome"

Peter

 

[BeeKay]

Or anyone with sufficient funds that suffers from "insufficient appendage length syndrome"

Peter

So almost a multi perspective confirmation bias?

 

[fatoldgit]

The BIG question (which we can't answer) is why wasn't John Atkinson tapped to do the measurements... Paul Miller does the bare minimum.

For such a "revolutionary" device (supposedly needs a new A+++ stereophile "recommended components" category) the world demanded/needed a full suite of measurements as provided by John Atkinson.

I smell a rat... and it's big one.

Peter

 

[Mart68]

The BIG question (which we can't answer) is why wasn't John Atkinson tapped to do the measurements... Paul Miller does the bare minimum.

For such a "revolutionary" device (supposedly needs a new A+++ stereophile "recommended components" category) the world demanded/needed a full suite of measurements as provided by John Atkinson.

I smell a rat... and it's big one.

Peter

If Miller still located in UK it may be as simple as it's easier for DCS to send it to him to be measured.

They are an engineering lead company despite the price tags, so I'd happily bet there's no aspect of it that's not at least competent. The real question is - could anyone really distinguish it from a Topping E30?

 

[Soniclife]

The real question is - could anyone really distinguish it from a Topping E30?

That's not the real question, the real question is who will claim they can hear a difference, and be prepared to test that properly.

 

[Deleted member 89542]

I’ve heard the DCs, Dan D’agostino and Wilson Audio system at Munich high end. I also heard Topping. No idea how the Audio Research system would sound if you swapped the dac. And no idea how it measures but interesting subjective experience.

 

[Count Arthur]

Thanks, but no thanks. Combines the worst of two worlds. Technics ugly platter, S-shaped arm, speed control and the ugly Linn type plinth.

I think it would look nicer with a silver model.

 

[Pearljam5000]

There's no way the Wiim Ultra would sound as good
My brain just can't accept it

 

[Deleted member 89542]

The system sounded subjectively stunning compared to anything else at Munich high end. Music just hung in the air rather than sounding like it came from speakers. I was just listening out of curiosity and obviously purely subjective but the best sound I’ve ever heard. But be very interesting if someone ever did a blind test swapping out the dac and amp for topping or wim.