MAGAZINE
In addition to D/A converters, the English manufacturer dCS ("Data Conversion Systems Limited"), specialized in digital technology, also manufactures CD players, streamers and upsamplers, and often relies on its own technologies. dCS now introduces a new generation of the Bartók DAC and streamer, which carries the latest version of the in-house "Ring DAC™", now carrying "APEX" in its name. In addition, the manufacturer promises improved DSD upsampling and new filter options through a software update, as well as special mappers adapted from the other dCS product series, which control signal routing to the DAC.
At the heart of the Bartók APEX DAC, the "Ring DAC APEX™" – developed entirely in-house by dCS and also found in other products from the manufacturer – is said to offer outstanding performance. Introduced last year, the latest version of the DAC is said to offer, among other things, less noise and distortion, as well as higher linearity and lower output impedance. To achieve this, as well as other sonic benefits, the majority of the DAC is said to have been rebuilt and improved. For example, the new APEX generation is said to carry improved filter and output stages, as well as changes to the transistors and the main circuit board, among other improvements.
According to dCS, old Bartók units can also be upgraded to the new Bartók APEX level, with upgraded devices said to be identical to new Bartók APEX. Future improvements are also supposed to be retrofittable as well. The DAC with streamer, upsampler and preamplifier is available either with or without headphone amplifier.
