CD Player/Transport Reviews

Rossini Player: Upsampling CD/network player with digital and word-clock inputs and iOS Control app. Digital inputs: 2 AES/EBU (XLR), 2 S/PDIF (1 RCA, 1 BNC), S/PDIF (TosLink), USB2 Type B (high-resolution audio). Network interface on RJ45 connector acts as a UPnP renderer in asynchronous mode, streaming digital music from a NAS or local computer over a standard Ethernet network, decoding all major lossless formats including FLAC, WAV, and AIFF at up to 24-bit/384kHz native sample rate, plus DSD64 & DSD128 in DFF/DSF format. Other supported formats include WMA, ALAC, MP3, AAC, OGG (some formats limited to lower sample rates). Accepts data streamed from an iPod, iPhone, or iPad via Apple AirPlay, 44.1 or 48kHz only. Analog outputs: 1 pair balanced (XLR), 1 pair single-ended (RCA). Output levels: 2V or 6V RMS for full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedances: 3 ohms (balanced), 52 ohms (unbalanced). Residual noise (6V output setting): below –96dB ref 0dBFS, 20Hz–20kHz, unweighted 16-bit data; below –113dB, 20Hz–20kHz, unweighted 24-bit data. Channel separation: >115dB, 20Hz-20kHz. Power consumption: 26W typical, 35W maximum.
Dimensions: 17.5" (444mm) W by 6" (151mm) H by 17.2" (437mm) D. Weight: 38.3 lbs (17.4kg).
Serial numbers of units reviewed: ROR0S2 1C4, 1D1 1B1 S01 0051423; RPR0S2 1D1 1D1 1B1 S11 0052118. Front panel: v.1.03. Control board: v.1.03. Network board: v.198 (sample '51423), v.286 (sample '52118). Control app: v.1.1.8, then v.1.2.3.
Price: $28,499.

Rossini Clock: Class 1 master clock with three word-clock outputs on 75 ohm BNC connectors (output 1 fixed at 44.1kHz, output 2 at 48kHz, output 3 at 44.1kHz, RS232 controllable). Clock accuracy: better than ±1ppm when shipped, over an ambient temperature range of 50–86°F (10–30°C); typically ±0.1ppm when shipped and stabilized. Startup time: typically 1 minute to rated accuracy. Power consumption: 3W typical, 4W maximum.
Dimensions: 17.5" (444mm) W by 2.6" (64mm) H by 17.2" (437mm) D. Weight: 18.3 lbs (8.3kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: RCK51500.
Price: $7499.

Common to Both:
Finishes: Silver, Black.
Approximate number of dealers: 18. Warranty: 3 years, parts & labor, from date originally shipped from dCS, to original owner only.
Manufacturer: dCS (Data Conversion Systems), Ltd., Unit 1, Buckingway Business Park, Anderson Road, Swavesey, Cambridge CB24 4AE, England, UK. www.dcsltd.co.uk US distributor: Data Conversion Systems Americas, Inc., PO Box 541443, Waltham, MA 02454-1443. Tel: (617) 314-9296.