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From Rossini Apex to ????

Hi Folks.  I just recently upgraded my Holo May Kitsune Edition DAC to a Rossini Apex and am very impressed with the DCS.  It has an amazingly black background (the instruments are all that IS), great instrument separation, discerns textures and nuances beautifully, and has very detailed and controlled bass.  I do think the Holo May has a sweeter midrange. May not be more accurate, but sweeter.  I've heard of notable improvement when adding the DCS clock, but that's another $10k plus cables.  I'm thinking it might be worth trying other DACs.  Right now, top contenders might include the Mola Mola Tambaqui and the Grimm MU-2.  For those of you who know the Rossini, and perhaps understand my desire to get sweeter midrange but not lose any of the other great qualities of the Rossini Apex - what do you recommend and why?  Thanks, Peter

peter_s
eugene81
270 posts
 

Try MSB.

saurabhgarg
35 posts
 

I got a used dCS Rossini + clock combo. In my system it was a great upgrade from Tambaqui. Sound is very balanced, detailed and enjoyable. Clock makes it very precise that results in impeccable vocal quality. Overall I feel dCS makes great products that deliver value (specially used market) 

metaldetektor
160 posts
 

Consider the playback designs mpd8

I used to own the Tambaqui and the MU1 (lost interest in the MU2)

Below is a Rossini apex owner opinion (I know a couple others who came to same conclusion…)

https://youtu.be/-64u03HryVw?si=9phTSoU_vRBPxLla

v-fi
91 posts
 

If you really like the Apex but just want a little sweetening, maybe just try some different cables? Sometimes a small change can be had just by tuning the existing system instead of swapping entire components. 

Even if your cables are really great, they were probably chosen around your prior gear. So when you upgrade components it might require swapping cables for a better match.

Just an idea, good luck on the search.

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 

For a sweeter midrange your should look at the Playback Designs MPD-8, Aries Cerat Kassandra, EMM Labs DA2 V2 or soon to be released V3.  I would also think MSB Premier or Reference.  All of these are going to be sweeter sounding than the dCS. 

I have explicitly had people move from dCS DACs to move to PBD for this very reason and can say confidently that Aries Cerat and EMM are sweeter sounding than dCS as well.  MSB I have not had in on trade and have not had in my system so I suggest that based on reputation.  

I would hope it is obvious that I am a PBD, AC and EMM dealer and have no affiliation with MSB.  

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