Elevating Excellence: A Guide to Upgrading Your dCS DAC to the APEX Version
Read Time: Approx. 17 min.
How to upgrade your dCS Bartok, Rossini, or Vivaldi to the latest Apex Hardware
Attention audiophiles! Do you own a dCS Bartók, Rossini, or Vivaldi unit? You could be eligible for the APEX upgrade! As of 2022, all new dCS Vivaldi, Rossini, and dCS Bartók APEX DACs and players are fitted with APEX hardware as standard. Because inclusion is cool, dCS has offered the APEX upgrade to existing models purchased before 2022, bringing them up to current specifications. Do you have to upgrade? No, certainly not, but it couldn't hurt. The APEX hardware is an optional upgrade offered to applicable unit owners at an additional cost performed by an authorized technician. So, while this isn't a DIY project that you can do in a night, it can be done by Moon Audio!
dCS is no stranger to innovation and as a leader in DAC technology, every unit they produce is a work of art. Call me biased? Maybe. But if you own a dCS product then you understand. dCS designs its products with maximum performance in mind, so you can rest assured that your unit will grow with you over time. Unlike Apple iPhones, a dCS unit doesn't become irrelevant the second the latest iteration hits the market. dCS offers software and hardware upgrades (i.e. APEX) that extend the relevance and shelf life of their products so you can enjoy them for a long time. So, why upgrade? Your unit will be equipped with the latest generation dCS Ring DAC analog board boasting several sonic enhancements that improve the DAC's design and performance.
Here at Moon Audio, we're offering the APEX upgrade to owners of applicable dCS units—regardless of whether you purchased your unit through us, dCS, or another retailer. If you're interested in upgrading your unit or just simply curious about the APEX DAC board, keep reading!
Inside the APEX Technology
Released in March 2022, APEX is the latest generation dCS Ring DAC analog board. The Ring DAC has undergone several "nips and tucks"—a testament to dCS' innovative spirit. In 2017, the mapping algorithm that controls the Ring DAC was updated allowing listeners to tailor the performance of their systems to suit their listening styles and musical tastes. Following that software update, in 2021 the Ring DAC circuit board was reconfigured again with a brand new analog output stage. Fast forward a year to the release of the Ring DAC APEX hardware, another but certainly not the last, tweak by dCS to enhance the DAC's analog performance for an exceptional listening experience.
This new hardware allowed them to deliver a range of sonic and measured improvements and enhanced the musical performance of the Rossini and Vivaldi line units. With APEX, dCS has meticulously reconfigured the Ring DAC's™ circuit board and developed a new analog output stage with newer, higher-performance parts. This has allowed dCS to further reduce distortion and increase linearity, resulting in a range of measured and sonic improvements - including an even greater sense of dynamic drive, detail, finesse, vitality, and harmonics. Along with the hardware changes, the APEX upgrade includes updated firmware that optimizes the functionality and performance of the new components and further refines the DSD upsampling.
What's New
Modified the reference supply feeding the Ring DAC, resulting in lower output impedance
Enhanced the filter, summing, and output stage of the Ring DAC
Improved the symmetry of summing stages
Created an all-new output stage
Reconfigured the main Ring DAC circuit board
The Results
Improved dynamics, rhythm, and timing
Enhanced image focus and soundstaging
More precise and tonally resolved voices
An even greater sense of ease and naturalness
More distinct contrast between instruments and blacker backgrounds
"Listeners who've benefited from APEX upgrades have noted a wide range of improvements, including enhanced dynamics, rhythm and timing, greater soundstage resolution and image focus, more precise and tonally resolved voices, and an even greater sense of ease and naturalness." - dCS Audio
The APEX Upgrade Process Explained
As a dCS Reference Retailer, Moon Audio is authorized to perform APEX hardware upgrades to applicable dCS products purchased through Moon Audio or another retailer within the U.S. So if you purchased your dCS unit from another retailer but are local to our area, we can perform the upgrade for you!
Our technicians have been supplied with the proper training, tools, and ESD prevention know-how to perform the APEX upgrade, so you can ensure your product is in safe hands. We handle each dCS unit with the utmost care, performing the upgrade diligently and thoroughly testing, checking, and double-checking the unit before it is shipped back to you. dCS has provided its authorized dealers with extensive information on how to upgrade each unit, ensuring there are no errors and every customer's satisfaction is guaranteed.
Why choose Moon Audio? We know how frustrating it can be to sit on the phone, speaking with operators trying to get through to someone. All of that hassle is avoided by communicating directly with us, where we can provide you with updates on the upgrade process, an estimated return time, and get easily in touch with you if any unforeseen instances occur. Additionally, those in the U.S. will save more by shipping to Moon Audio versus sending it internationally to dCS' headquarters. We have established a long, trusted relationship with dCS carrying most of their product lines and bonding over the shared love of music. As an authorized dCS retailer, we're committed to providing our customers with an exceptional audio experience, using our knowledge base and deep understanding of dCS products to answer any questions, assist with troubleshooting, and get you one step closer to your music.
Sure, you can certainly send your unit back to dCS directly to have the upgrade performed by them, but we value our customer relationships and appreciate any opportunity we can to continue that relationship beyond a sale. As a small business, we value our customer and partner relationships, and we're incredibly grateful to dCS for extending the upgrade process to its retailers, allowing us to perform them and provide added value to our customer's experience.
What dCS units can Moon Audio upgrade?
Moon Audio is authorized to perform the APEX hardware upgrade on the following units: Original Bartók DAC & Bartók 2.0, Bartók Headphone Amp DAC, Rossini DAC, and Vivaldi DAC. Note, that we cannot upgrade the Rossini Player, dCS Lina DAC, any Master Clock, and Vivaldi One DAC—please contact dCS directly for information on upgrading those units.
dCS Bartók DAC Headphone Amplifier
dCS Rossini DAC
dCS Vivaldi DAC
Step-By-Step Instructions
To provide customers with the best experience, we've created a step-by-step process so that from the moment you reach out to the moment your newly upgraded unit arrives at your doorstep, nothing is missed. If you have any additional questions about the APEX upgrade, please reach out here or via phone at (919) 649-5018 and one of our customer service representatives will assist you.
1. Submit Your Upgrade Request
If you have an applicable dCS unit that you'd like to have upgraded, please make an initial inquiry to us through written communication on our contact page. We gladly accept calls from customers, but written documentation of the inquiry will still be required.
In the inquiry, please include the name of the dCS unit, order number, and date (if purchased through us) so we can quickly pull up your order and confirm the sale. If you did not purchase your unit through us, kindly provide the name of the retailer with the attached order invoice (if possible) for record-keeping on our end throughout the process. We are permitted to perform upgrades on units purchased through dCS directly, Moon Audio, or another authorized dCS retailer. We cannot perform upgrades on units purchased by an unauthorized dCS retailer or second-hand through third-party resale websites. If you have a second-hand unit you'd like to upgrade, please contact dCS directly for assistance.
Please do not ship your dCS unit to Moon Audio without receiving confirmation from our support team
2. Drop Off/Ship your Unit to Moon Audio
Once your initial inquiry is received, we will reach out to you to move forward with the shipment of the dCS unit. Units can be shipped to our headquarters at the postal address listed below or dropped off if you are local to our Cary, North Carolina headquarters. We ask that customers planning to drop off their unit, inform us immediately to set up a date and time for drop off.
The cost of the initial shipment of the unit to Moon Audio is incurred by the customer, but as a courtesy, we can provide a shipping label, at an additional cost. Moon Audio will cover the cost of shipping your unit back to you. If you'd like Moon Audio to provide a label for the initial shipment, let us know in your initial inquiry. Moon Audio does not profit off performing APEX upgrades, nor is there a markup on the upgrade cost—it is the same regardless of who performs the upgrade. The upgrade cost is set by dCS and followed by all authorized retailers, with respective pricing for upgrades performed in the U.S. and Canada. Shipping costs fluctuate depending on your location and preferred shipping method.
Prior to shipping your unit, please follow all of the instructions listed below on properly packaging your unit. It's incredibly important that your unit is packaged properly, as we are not responsible for any unforeseen damage caused to your unit during transit. We require all customers to fill out, print, and include an MSA (Merchandise Service Authorization) Form with the unit. Please include basic contact information such as address, phone number, and email so we can reach out to you once we have received the unit. Additionally, we require an adult signature when the unit is dropped off for shipping. FedEx offers several signature options, but an adult signature is required. If you do not have access to a printer or cannot fill out and print the MSA Form, please reach out to us directly and we can coordinate alternate solutions.
If possible, please package the unit in its original packaging for shipment. However, if you do not have the original packaging and have questions on how to properly package the unit, please reach out to us promptly. To protect your unit as much as possible, we recommend having the unit double-boxed—something FedEx or UPS can assist with. Please see the FAQ section for detailed information on pricing and shipping.
What to Know Before You Ship:
Securely package your unit in the original box or a heavily padded and protected shipping box. We recommend double-boxing the unit.
Fill out, print, and include the MSA Form in the packaging
Ship To:
Moon Audio
1157 Executive Cir. Suite 101
Cary, NC 27511
3. Confirm and Pay for Upgrade
Once we receive your unit we will perform an initial inspection on the unit to confirm there is no massive cosmetic damage, internal damage, or performance issues. If we find any damage to the unit that hinders our ability to effectively and safely perform the upgrade, we reserve the right to deny upgradability and will direct you to dCS for further assistance. This protects us from doing any additional harm to the unit that can affect its performance and longevity and places it in the hands of the creators who can assess the problem and help you accordingly. In the case that we cannot safely perform the upgrade, we will reach out to you and offer to send the unit to dCS for further inspection, or begin the process of returning it to you, if you choose to do so.
Each Upgrade Kit Comprises Of:
1x Ring DAC APEX Analog Board
1x APEX-branded I/O Escutcheon
Each kit is raised specifically for a provided serial number and requires several tools to perform the upgrade.
Once we have inspected your unit, we will be in contact with a billing invoice. The cost to perform the APEX upgrade is USD $9,000 and CAD $12,150. This is the cost of the upgrade itself—no shipping costs or markups added. As mentioned earlier, Moon Audio does not profit from performing the APEX upgrade in any capacity. These costs are set by dCS and followed by all authorized retailers. It's only once we receive the payment in full and it is cleared that the upgrade process with begin. Those who fail to pay in a timely fashion will have the unit shipped back to them untouched, as it is of no value to us to store the unit. Note that we do not offer any payment plans for the APEX upgrades, and payment must be received in full shortly after receiving the invoice. The invoice will be sent to the contact information associated with the order. If you have any questions about payment processing, please reach out to us immediately.
4. Technicians Perform the APEX Upgrade
After inspection, our technicians will begin the APEX upgrade process, closely following each step carefully instructed by dCS for each specific unit. We understand the anticipation and excitement of receiving your newly upgraded unit, but please keep in mind we are working diligently, not quickly, to upgrade your unit. Your upgrade will be performed by none other than Moon Audio's CEO and Founder Drew Baird P.E. and Lead Electrical Engineer & Operations Manager Darrell Shotwell, two of our highly skilled engineers with extensive knowledge and experience handling dCS gear. In fact, they performed the APEX upgrade on our dCS demo units—so they know these units inside and out.
The entire upgrade process—from the moment we receive your unit to the second it arrives on your doorstep—will take roughly 5 to 10 business days. While the upgrade of each unit from start to finish takes roughly 2 hours (not including initial inspection, testing, packaging, and processing in our shipping department) we are factoring in day-to-day operations, unforeseen delays, and anything else that could pull our technicians in another direction. A delicate process performed by only our most skilled techs, we appreciate your grace in trusting us with your beloved unit. We would never rush the process just to turn out more upgrades, and it's safe to assume you may receive sooner than 10 days, but we like to be transparent and provide a "grace period" for any unforeseen delays. Any delays in performing your unit's upgrade will be communicated to you in a timely fashion.
5. Test, Inspect, and Return Upgraded Unit
After the APEX upgrade has been completed on your unit, we will perform a series of tests and do a final inspection before packaging and returning your unit to you. If you have dropped off your unit, we will reach out to let you know it is ready and set up a pickup time. Those who shipped their units will receive communication from us (either via email or phone) letting you know the unit is ready to go and being shipped out.
FAQs
APEX General FAQs
What is APEX?
APEX is the latest generation dCS Ring DAC analog board released in early 2022. The APEX board features several enhancements to the Ring DAC's hardware for better performance and sound quality.
How do I get the Ring DAC APEX?
As of March 4, all dCS Vivaldi DACs, Rossini DACs, Rossini Players, and Bartóks will be fitted with the dCS Ring DAC APEX hardware as the standard. Existing Rossini, Vivaldi, and Bartók owners can purchase the APEX upgrade through Moon Audio where we will install the hardware for you.
Which dCS products are eligible for an APEX upgrade?
dCS offers the APEX upgrade to existing owners of Rossini DACs and Players, Vivaldi DACs, Vivaldi One, Bartók DAC, and Bartók DAC Headphone Amplifier. Upgraded units are identical to the new APEX models.
How much do the new APEX models cost?
Here are the prices for the following APEX models we carry at Moon Audio. Note that prices are subject to change with various sales/promotions. We also have several open-box units available at a discounted price. Bartók APEX DAC Headphone Amplifier: $20,950, Vivaldi APEX DAC: $46,500, Rossini APEX Player: $36,800, Rossini APEX DAC/Network Streamer: $32,800.
Can I purchase a previous generation Vivaldi, Rossini, or Bartók?
While the previous models have been discontinued by dCS and replaced with the new APEX models, we still have a limited stock (subject to change) of non-APEX units available for purchase. Shop dCS products here.
What is the difference between a Vivaldi APEX DAC, Rossini APEX DAC, Rossini APEX Player, or Bartók APEX versus older models?
The APEX models feature the dCS Ring DAC™ APEX analog board as standard. Older models feature the previous generation Ring DAC™ analog board. While both offer exceptional technical and sonic performance, the Ring DAC™ APEX board reduces noise and distortion even further and is around 12dB more linear than previous generations. These improvements in measured performance have allowed dCS to enhance further the musical performance of their products, resulting in an even more compelling and engaging experience for listeners.
"Aside from the new Ring DAC APEX hardware, our products are identical to previous generation models. They are constructed with meticulous attention to detail, using the same high-quality parts and components, and offer all of the key features and benefits that people would expect from a dCS system." - dCS Audio
Pricing and Ordering FAQs
How do I purchase an upgrade?
To purchase an APEX upgrade for your dCS unit, follow the instructions listed above in this blog and send us an initial inquiry email to begin the process.
What is the cost of the upgrade?
The APEX upgrade costs $9,000 USD and $12,150 CAD. This price is set by dCS and is the same regardless of which retailer performs the upgrade.
Why do I have to pay for an APEX upgrade?
While dCS regularly offers software upgrades free of charge, there is a fee for hardware upgrades. This is due to the various costs associated with delivering major hardware updates such as APEX—from research and development expenses to the cost of manufacturing and shipping new APEX boards for upgraded units, and performing the physical upgrade itself. As mentioned earlier, Moon Audio does not make a profit off of the APEX upgrade. The cost of the upgrade is set by dCS and followed by all authorized retailers.
What do I get if I purchase the upgrade?
The new APEX hardware plus a new APEX escutcheon and a one-year warranty (provided by dCS) on APEX parts and labor for each upgraded unit.
What is the current lead time on orders?
The estimated lead time on orders is 5 to 10 business days. This time frame depends on the amount of upgrades we have at any given moment and is subject to change. The physical upgrade itself takes 2 hours to perform. Once performed it must be inspected, tested, repackaged and processed through our shipping department, then transported via FedEx or UPS.
How does the upgrade process work?
The upgrade process starts with an initial inquiry where you will fill out the contact form and await a response from us. After submitting your inquiry and receiving communication from Moon Audio, we will order the upgrade through dCS who will then ship the hardware to our headquarters. Once ordered, we will request you ship or drop off your dCS unit to Moon Audio HQ where we will perform an initial inspection above arrival and move forward with payment. Once payment has been received in full and cleared, and we've received the physical hardware from dCS, we will begin the upgrade process.
All upgrades will be carried out to the highest standards by two of our trained technicians—Moon Audio CEO and Founder Drew Baird P.E., and Lead Electrical Engineer & Operations Manager Darrell Shotwell. Drew and Darrell have extensive experience dealing with complex electronics and assembling/disassembling dCS units. Once upgraded, your new dCS APEX unit will be thoroughly tested and inspected, and finally returned to you.
For a detailed, step-by-step process, see the information mentioned in the sections above.
General dCS FAQs
How do I arrange an audition?
We offer in-person product demos for the dCS units we carry. If you'd like to audition one of the products we carry, reach out to us here.
Can dCS DACs be used with non-dCS components?
Yes, dCS DACs can be used with a wide range of non-dCS components. They are designed to integrate well with high-end audio systems from various manufacturers, offering multiple digital and analog input/output options for flexibility.
How does dCS handle firmware updates?
dCS regularly releases firmware updates to improve performance and add new features. These updates can usually be installed by the user via USB or network connection, ensuring that even older units can benefit from the latest developments. For information on the latest firmware updates, check the dCS Mosaic Control App (Mosaic App). In the app is also where you can access music streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal, configure your unit with Roon, and use Apple AirPlay.
How does dCS compare to other high-end audio brands?
dCS is considered one of the top brands in the audiophile community, particularly known for its DAC technology. They're often compared to other premium brands like Chord Electronics and Esoteric. The preference between these brands often comes down to personal taste in sound signature, budget, and specific system requirements.
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