The all-in-one digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) with full network streaming functionality and Class A headphone amplifier replaces the company's Debussy as the most affordable DAC. Sharing DNA with its Rossini stablemate, the Bartók boasts the Rossini Ring DAC, custom high-performance UPnP music streamer and dCS digital processing platform.
Retailing at £9,999 for the streaming DAC and £11,999 for the streaming DAC with integrated headphone amplifier, Bartók features USB, AES and S/PDIF digital inputs. Streaming comes via over Ethernet from a NAS drive or online music services such as TIDAL or Spotify, also from Apple devices via Airplay. The network interface can perform full MQA decoding and rendering.
You will also find independent balanced and unbalanced line outputs in the DAC section that can drive power amplifiers directly, avoiding the need for a separate preamplifier.
The Bartók Headphone DAC features a custom designed headphone amplifier that's compatible with both high and low impedance headphones in balanced or unbalanced formats.
Bartók supports all significant codecs with the network streaming section currently running at up to 24-bit, 384kS/s and DSD128, plus DSD in DoP format and native DSD. Additionally, there is a suite of DSP filters to tailor the sound to suit individual taste.
As with all dCS products, Bartók is designed and built in Great Britain using aerospace-grade machined aluminium casework damped by internal sound deadening panels to reduce resonance. Multi-stage power regulation is employed, with twin mains transformers to isolate the DAC circuitry from the headphone amplifier.
Bartók is finished in silver or black and becomes available in late October.
For more information visit dCS.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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