dCS, or Data Conversion Systems, was founded in 1987 in Cambridge, UK. Initially, the company focused on creating solutions for military and aerospace applications, where precision and reliability were paramount. However, it wasn’t long before they saw an opportunity to apply their expertise to the audio industry. The dCS 900 was one of the first products to emerge from this shift in focus, and it quickly established the company as a leader in the field of high-fidelity digital audio conversion.
What made the dCS 900 stand out was its use of proprietary Ring DAC technology, which was a revolutionary approach at the time. The Ring DAC was designed to overcome many of the limitations of traditional digital-to-analogue converters, offering unprecedented linearity, low distortion, and precise conversion. This technology became a hallmark of dCS products and is still in use today, albeit in more advanced forms.
The dCS 900 was capable of converting audio signals with a resolution of 24 bits, which was a significant improvement over the standard 16-bit converters that were common at the time. This higher resolution allowed for greater dynamic range and more accurate reproduction of subtle audio details, making it a favourite among professional recording engineers and mastering studios.
The release of the dCS 900 had a profound impact on the audio industry. It quickly gained a reputation for delivering unparalleled sound quality, and its adoption by major studios around the world helped to set a new benchmark for digital audio. The dCS 900 was used in the production of countless recordings, many of which went on to become iconic albums.
One of the key factors in the success of the dCS 900 was its reliability. In professional audio environments, where equipment is often pushed to its limits, having a converter that could consistently deliver high-quality results was invaluable. The dCS 900’s robust design and precision engineering meant that it could be trusted in even the most demanding situations.
While the dCS 900 is no longer in production, its legacy lives on. The principles and technologies that were first introduced in this groundbreaking converter have continued to evolve, influencing the design of modern digital audio converters. dCS has since released many other products, each building on the foundation laid by the dCS 900.
In retrospect, the dCS 900 wasn’t just an analogue-to-digital converter; it was a statement of what was possible in digital audio. It challenged the status quo and pushed the boundaries of what audio technology could achieve. For those who had the privilege of using it, the dCS 900 was more than just a piece of equipment – it was a tool that enabled the creation of music with unmatched fidelity and emotional impact.
Bob Ludwig, a legendary mastering engineer, favoured the dCS 900 for its unparalleled precision and reliability. The 24-bit resolution and advanced Ring DAC technology allowed Ludwig to capture the intricate details and dynamic range of recordings with exceptional accuracy. This transparency was crucial in his work, enabling him to maintain the original musicality while ensuring the highest audio quality. The dCS 900’s consistent performance made it an essential tool in Ludwig’s studio, contributing to the pristine sound of many iconic albums he mastered.
The dCS 900 remains a landmark in the history of digital audio conversion. Its introduction in 1989 was a turning point that helped shape the future of the industry. With its pioneering technology and exceptional sound quality, the dCS 900 earned its place as a legend in the world of professional audio, and its influence can still be felt today in the high standards and expectations of digital audio equipment.
“The top end was sweeter, the noise floor was more even and less crunchy, and it sounded cleaner at low levels. I also noticed that the bottom end had more extension, because if I put dCS in on a piano recording, then suddenly there was an extra octave of bass. The company’s experience of radar must have given them linearity to very low levels.”
