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Silver Vivaldi Upsampler. Purchased from HIFI lounge as Exdem...like the Dac its faultless
A strong buy if it’s genuine and complete: £9,000 sits below the £9,661 median and just above the £6,689 25th percentile, so this is priced on the better side of the recent GBP market rather than merely fair. It is not a bargain-basement outlier, but for a dCS Vivaldi component that’s a solid place to be, especially in excellent condition.
What makes it worthwhile is the reputation: this is a serious digital hub, valued for its upsampling, clocking, and flexibility with multiple digital inputs. For a buyer, the upside is in a clean, well-kept unit with the right cables, remote, and packaging, because these big-ticket dCS boxes are most attractive when they feel fully sorted and ready to integrate. At this price, I’d focus on condition, input/output functionality, and whether the setup is complete rather than hunting for fault.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
dCS: British Digital Audio Pioneer
dCS (Data Conversion Systems) was established in Cambridge, England in 1987, emerging from a background in advanced signal processing and radar systems for aerospace applications including RAF Harrier and Typhoon aircraft. This foundation in hard science and digital engineering has defined the company's trajectory from electronics consultancy to specialist audio manufacturer. The company transitioned to consumer audio in 1989 with the 900 ADC, an analogue-to-digital converter for professional studios, and by 1996 launched the Elgar, claimed to be the first 24-bit high-resolution DAC for the domestic hi-fi market.
dCS specializes exclusively in digital audio conversion technology, with their product range centered on DACs (digital-to-analogue converters) and associated digital processing components. Every product incorporates the company's proprietary Ring DAC technology, a hallmark of their engineering approach. Rather than diversifying into amplifiers, speakers, or other categories, dCS has maintained singular focus on mastering the conversion and playback of digital audio signals with maximum fidelity.
The brand occupies the ultra-premium, high-end segment of the audio market, positioning itself among the world's most respected specialist manufacturers. All products are hand-assembled in-house at their Cambridge facility by a dedicated team of designers and technicians. dCS commands significant respect among professional recording engineers and discerning audiophiles seeking uncompromising digital audio performance, representing a rare example of a British hi-fi company that has sustained innovation and manufacturing excellence over nearly four decades.
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