New dCS Bartok Upsampling Network DAC

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys - Just got the information. Will update in minutes as I get it collected and make it publishable.

 

 

 

 

Our extensive, thorough, comparative dCS Bartok Review is now available - https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/dcs-bartók-dac-with-headphone-amplifier-review-r849/

 

 

 

 

 

"dCS is pleased to announce the launch of Bartók, a new Upsampling Network DAC.

 

Bartók will be offered in two models: one, a Network Streaming DAC; the other, a Network Streaming DAC with a built-in, discrete Class-A Headphone Amplifier.

 

Additional photography, and the datasheet for the standard version Bartók DAC, will be made available shortly after the conclusion of the Hong Kong High-End Show this weekend

 

Bartók will begin shipping late-October 2018, and MSRP will be $13,500 for the standard Bartók DAC, $15,000 for Bartók DAC with Class-A Headphone Amplifier.  Both versions are available in standard anodised silver and black aluminium finish."

 

 

dCS BARTOK PRESS RELEASE_FINAL.pdf

 

 

dCS Bartók Headphone DAC_HiRes_V1.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new dCS Bartók DAC brings togetherdCS’s past, present and future. It is first and foremost a state of the art network streaming DAC that uses technology developed for the Rossini range. With the addition of the unique headphone amplifier it brings the extraordinarydCS digital experience

to both headphone and stereo listeners.

 

This single-box digital music player features the legendary dCS Ring DACTM and signal processing platform, plus a custom high performance UPnP music streamer. Bartók plays music through an array of industry- standard USB, AES or S/PDIF digital inputs.

It is Roon Ready and can stream over Ethernet from a NAS drive or online music services such as TIDAL or Spotify, and from Apple devices via Airplay. The network interface can perform full MQA decoding and rendering.

 

The DAC section is equipped with independent balanced and unbalanced line outputs that can drive power amplifiers directly, avoiding the need for a separate preamplifier. The Headphone DAC features a custom designed headphone amplifier that works extremely well with both high and low impedance headphones in balanced or unbalanced formats. All of the outputs can be set to one of 4 maximum levels to enhance system compatibility.

 

Designed for flexibility and ease of use without compromise, Bartók uses the very latest dCSDigital Processing Platform and Ring DAC

technology, originally developed for the Rossini series. Its single FPGA offers streamlined signal processing and superior flexibility, effectively making it future-proof.

 

Bartók DAC has a powerful new user interface, plus a custom control app that lets listeners manage their music playback from any source in an elegantly simple way – accessing iRadio channels, digital and UPnP sources all from one control point. The Bartók app provides easy access to the DAC settings.

Featuring DXD upsampling as standard, the multi-stage oversampling design offers optional DSD upsampling plus an extensive selection

of DSP filters to suit individual taste and music choice. The network streaming functionality within Bartók is proven in terms of jitter, ease of use and sonic performance. The network interface currently runs at up to 24-bit, 384kS/s and DSD128, supporting all major lossless codecs, plus DSD in DoP format and native DSD.

 

Bartók supports the simple yet highly effectivedCS ‘auto clocking’ architecture as used in Vivaldi, which minimises jitter and improves sound quality significantly.

 

Designed and made in Great Britain to the highest standards, Bartók takes its design cues from the award winning Rossini range, using aerospace-grade machined aluminium with internal acoustic damping panels to reduce sound-degrading mechanical vibration and magnetic effects. Multi-stage power regulation is employed, with twin mains transformers to isolate the DAC circuitry from the headphone amplifier.

 

As with all dCS products, Bartók firmware can be easily updated via CD, USB or the new automated download and update facility. This lets dCS add new features and improve the performance of Bartok over its lifetime.

 

Listening to digital music through a Bartók system is in some ways a staggering experience. The general hallmarks of dCS playback - precision, detail, immersive and engaging sound are all there along with a natural musicality and faithfulness to the original recording.

 

 

 

[One and a half]

Doesn't this device make up for the shortcomings of the Network Bridge. Any step for the price to head south is a welcome move from dcs, the offering for the HP amp free is a good idea, since most head-fi'ers by now have an amp already, and those that don't, the price differential would make a separate amp that more enticing/affordable.

 

The Ethernet loop through is a welcome addition, hopefully easy to configure. Would have been nice to have a FO connector, oh well, can't have everything.

 

It's a little while to October, by the New Year anyway, there should be experiences to share on the SQ.

[firedog]

Not sure how it makes up for the lack of USB out in the Bridge for those who wanted it. It's a DAC with analog, not digital outs. Bridge owners are highly likely to have a great DAC already, possibly even a dCS one. 
I don't know how good the DAC in this device is relative to other dCS DACs or other high end DACs. If the internal DAC is very good maybe someone with a dCS Bridge and DAC could trade for this component. But based on the price and the fact that it's a multi-function unit, I'm guessing it isn't quite up to the level of the other dCS DACs. 

[octaviars]

3 hours ago, firedog said:

possibly even a dCS one. 

 

I suppose they who have a dCS DAC and a Network Bridge dont care that the NB dont have USB out as they will likely use AES or dual AES.

 

On Roon forum dCS answers questions regarding this new DAC. It uses most of the technology from Rossini.

 

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/dcs-bartok-streaming-dac-hp-amp/47510

[Patatorz]

Interesting ?

[bunno77]

Very much looking forward to this and the new Naim streamers. Hopefully we don't get stooged too much on price here in Aus though no doubt we will. 

We will likely pay $20k AUD which will be around 2-2.5k over exchange rates for the Bartok.

[xtraktz]

Is it general topic about Bartok?

[Munchoba]

21 hours ago, xtraktz said:

Is it general topic about Bartok?

I've been waiting for a Bartók thread since I got mine 2 months ago... nothing so far.

[xtraktz]

8 minutes ago, Munchoba said:

I've been waiting for a Bartók thread since I got mine 2 months ago... nothing so far.

Rossini is more popular despite the higher price)

 

How do you like your Bartók?

I sold my dCS Debussy and Network Bridge and bought Bartók 1 month ago. Sounds good) 

 

 

 

[mevdinc]

1 hour ago, xtraktz said:

Rossini is more popular despite the higher price)

 

How do you like your Bartók?

I sold my dCS Debussy and Network Bridge and bought Bartók 1 month ago. Sounds good) 

 

 

 

Nice combo!

Have you tried Bartok into the ATC 50As direct, any difference in SQ?
I always prefer going into my actives directly from the DAC without using a pre.

[xtraktz]

del.

[xtraktz]

58 minutes ago, mevdinc said:

Nice combo!

Have you tried Bartok into the ATC 50As direct, any difference in SQ?
I always prefer going into my actives directly from the DAC without using a pre.

Thanks! EL150 are also great, on their own))

 

Yes, I tried going directly using Canare XLR 3m IC. Much better than Debussy, but currently I still prefer sound with my ATC preamp. The sound with the ATC preamp is smoother and more analog, without loss of transparency, dynamics. It sounds better at low volume also. I will test more when I get a great and long balanced IC  

[xtraktz]

Hey Bartók owners, where are you? 😱

 

I wonder when can we expect firmware 2.0 for Bartók , similar to Rossini 2.0?

Technically it’s possible I think...

Andrew from DCS also said that this is possible, but so far this is not in their plans.

 

Good marketing and a sense of sweet hope for us 🙄

[Munchoba]

What did the firmware correct in the Rossini?

[xtraktz]

36 minutes ago, Munchoba said:

What did the firmware correct in the Rossini?

Sound performance 

[k-man]

Stereophile review on the Bartók is up.

[xtraktz]

1 hour ago, k-man said:

Stereophile review on the Bartók is up.

pretty calm review..

[Julius]

Hi,
I'm a new Bartok owner (few days only).
I was wondering how experienced Bartok owners use the power button. Do you use the sleep mode all the time when not listening to music (To set the unit to sleep mode, press the Power button once).

you use the switch off procedure (Hold down the Power button for about 5 seconds until SWITCHING OFF appears on the display, then release it.)
Is there an advantage in SQ to keep the Bartok always in sleep mode (the unit remain close to running temperature) or the Switch off procedure is enough to keep the circuits always ready for listening anytime with no loss in SQ since the unit was not at running temperature?
Thanks.

[992Sam]

On 8/23/2020 at 7:23 AM, Julius said:

Hi,
I'm a new Bartok owner (few days only).
I was wondering how experienced Bartok owners use the power button. Do you use the sleep mode all the time when not listening to music (To set the unit to sleep mode, press the Power button once).

you use the switch off procedure (Hold down the Power button for about 5 seconds until SWITCHING OFF appears on the display, then release it.)
Is there an advantage in SQ to keep the Bartok always in sleep mode (the unit remain close to running temperature) or the Switch off procedure is enough to keep the circuits always ready for listening anytime with no loss in SQ since the unit was not at running temperature?
Thanks.

 

I too would be interested in this...  PS Audio told me (when I tried their DAC out for a while) that it sounds better warmed up, and the owners manual actually says 3 hour prior to use is optimal...  I also did a 2 week burin on it, running it nearly 24/7...  I think it did sound better over time.

 

I'm also taking delivery of a dCS sometime by the end of this month and curious what dCS recommends?  Did you try to call them or did you get an answer to your question elsewhere? 

[Julius]

1 hour ago, 992Sam said:

 

I too would be interested in this...  PS Audio told me (when I tried their DAC out for a while) that it sounds better warmed up, and the owners manual actually says 3 hour prior to use is optimal...  I also did a 2 week burin on it, running it nearly 24/7...  I think it did sound better over time.

 

I'm also taking delivery of a dCS sometime by the end of this month and curious what dCS recommends?  Did you try to call them or did you get an answer to your question elsewhere? 

Yes, this is the answer I got from dCS regarding this topic: If your unit sees frequent use (daily) then it’s worth leaving it powered on all the time or using the standby function. That way you’ll always be getting the best and most consistent audio performance. If it’s only used periodically (weekends) then it’s worth powering it down completely during periods of non-use, but being sure to power it back on well in advance (many hours) of any critical listening.