- Data Conversion Systems Ltd solutions and thus the dCS brand, are now being looked after by the Hamburg sales company Audio Reference GmbH.
dCSthis brand represents a company that claims nothing less than to have played a key role in shaping digital audio technology for more than three decades, by developing products and technologies that dCS believe have transformed music recording in the professional field, as well as music playback in the consumer segment, have played a major role, and even revolutionized it in some cases.
The exciting thing is that the company behind the dCS Audio brand, the English company Data Conversion Systems Ltd., was originally one dedicated to a completely different area, namely radar systems for naval jets.
From specialists in radar systems to high-end hi-fi manufacturers
dCS was founded in 1987 in Cambridge, England, by Oxford University graduate Mike Story and a team of electronics engineers. The company began providing consulting services to aerospace companies and soon earned a reputation as a leading expert in digital signal processing. Work in this area resulted in collaboration with the UK MoD, including a contract to develop what is known as the Blue Vixen radar system for the Royal Navy’s Sea Harrier FA 2 jets.
In addition to working in aviation, dCS has been researching how the technologies it developed can be applied to digital audio since the company’s early days. The reason for this was simple, Mike Story was an audiophile music lover himself and therefore at home in the appropriate circles, for example he had numerous friends in the recording industry. It was therefore obvious that very soon the development and production of digital converters, which were initially intended for use in a professional studio environment, were also dealt with.
Products that made history
It was in 1989 that dCS made history when the dCS 900 presented the world’s first 24-bit analog-to-digital converter. A solution used by industry giants such as Bob Ludwig, Tony Faulkner and Bert van der Wolf.
This was followed in 1993 with the dCS 950, the world’s first 24-bit digital-to-analog converter, which, although also designed for the professional environment, ultimately marked dCS’ entry into the consumer segment, as this solution was particularly appreciated by hi-fi enthusiasts in Japan.
The actual entry into the consumer business took place in 1996, when, inspired by the success of the dCS 950, the dCS Elgar was developed together with the industrial designer Allen Boothroyd and thus the first 24-bit DAC in the consumer segment, as dCS proudly points out lifts.
From dCS’ point of view, these solutions represented a turning point in consumer electronics, as it opened up the possibility for music lovers around the world to enjoy studio-quality sound at home.
Audio Reference GmbH new distributor of dCS
Today, the product range of dCS is broadly positioned, but with all products the focus is always on the highly precise and therefore the most accurate processing of digital data, be it in the form of CD and SACD transport, streaming systems, or signal conversion solutions , and of course D/A converters.
From now on, the Hamburg sales company Audio Reference GmbH will be responsible for all these products.
“We are very pleased to be able to look after one of the most innovative manufacturers of sophisticated digital audio technology in Germany with dCS. The products complement the AR portfolio perfectly.”
Mansour Mamaghani, Managing Director of Audio Reference GmbH
We mean…
With the solutions of the English specialist Data Conversion Systems Ltd. and thus the brand dCS can Audio Reference GmbH expand the sales range once again with outstanding products that are clearly aimed at audiophile hi-fi enthusiasts.
