dCS Vivaldi Upsampler

The dCS Vivaldi Upsampler occupies a role within the Vivaldi system that is neither peripheral nor optional — it is the component that defines the architecture, the digital hub through which every source passes before conversion, and the stage at which dCS's proprietary upsampling algorithms transform incoming data into something the Vivaldi Apex DAC can work with at its absolute best. At £21,750, the Vivaldi Upsampler is the connective intelligence of the world's most accomplished digital front end.

Upsampling and Digital Processing

The Vivaldi Upsampler accepts PCM signals up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD up to DSD128, and processes them through dCS's own upsampling algorithms — not generic solutions sourced from third-party silicon, but mathematics developed in-house over decades and implemented in dCS's own programmable logic. The upsampling process lifts incoming data to DXD or DSD before passing it to the Vivaldi Apex DAC, separating the processing workload from the conversion stage itself. The effect on low-level detail retrieval and musical coherence is not subtle — it is the difference between a very good digital system and a reference-level one.

Network Streaming

The Vivaldi Upsampler incorporates a full network streaming module, supporting UPnP/DLNA playback from a NAS drive or music server, as well as internet radio. It accepts digital inputs from a connected transport — including the dCS Vivaldi CD/SACD Transport MK2 — and from any external digital source, making it the natural hub around which a complete Vivaldi system is organised. Every source, whatever its origin, passes through the same upsampling process and benefits equally.

Clocking and Synchronisation

When used with the dCS Vivaldi Master Clock, the Upsampler operates as part of a fully synchronised signal chain — every stage of processing locked to a single external timing reference of extraordinary precision. Jitter, which accumulates at every stage of a digital system and manifests as a blurring of transients and spatial information, is effectively eliminated. The dCS Vivaldi Apex DAC downstream receives a signal of a quality that no other architecture can match.

Updateable by Design

Like every component in the Vivaldi range, the Upsampler is built on dCS's 'soft' programmable logic — meaning its processing algorithms and feature set can be updated as dCS's engineering advances. Several significant updates have been delivered to Vivaldi owners since the system launched, and the platform continues to evolve. This is a component purchased not only for what it does today, but for what dCS will enable it to do tomorrow.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The Vivaldi Upsampler is for those who have committed to the Vivaldi system and understand that realising its full potential requires every component in the chain to operate as intended. It is not an optional upgrade — it is the architecture. Those considering the dCS range at an earlier entry point will find a similarly coherent system approach with the dCS Rossini Apex DAC and dCS Rossini Master Clock, both available to hear at our Norwich showroom.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind. The Vivaldi Upsampler is a component we have lived with and listened to seriously — come in to our Norwich showroom and Dave or Chris will demonstrate exactly what it adds to the system and help you plan the right configuration for your sources.

Contact us at [email protected], call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.