Insanely expensive, insanely great, the dCS Bartok DAC/headphone amp

[@LordWaterBottle]

It would appear that Steve knew what sort of shenanigans dCs was willing to get up to. You can't have said anything "wrong" if you dont say anything specific or measurable. "This deserves an audition" could be interpreted as "There is something about the sound you may not like that you need to know about before you buy"

[@Rich6Brew]

The constant sideways glances are to keep an eye out for the lawyers' approval.

[@GeneralKenobi69420]

Typical audiophile placebo. The SMSL SH-8S costs $230 and has a better signal to noise ratio by 20dB. Enjoy your $12k shiny metal box

[@francescozani9488]

This demo was recorded at gunpoint by dcs attorney

[@mk5359]

Absolutely.......100 dollar dac with about 12kg of milled aluminum. Someone reportedly compared this to the SMSL SU-1 and preferred the 80 dollar dac. Go figure😂

[@Jagcycle]

Did dCS threaten you to make a positive review? dCS reviews cannot be trusted due to their willingness to sue over a bad review, and brings up the question as to the integrity of the reviewer.

[@HiFiInsider]

I like to try this at home. Heard it at shows and it left a good impression.

[@pauld7069]

Very cool. Sounds like the DCS folks have PCM / DSD decoding down to a fine art. Feeding that signal to headphones with a 1+ watt balanced class A amp is the icing on the cake. With audio everything is a compromise so having digital filter options is IMHO magical. You get to choose the compromise that makes "you" happy. Love this line from the specs, "PCM mode: up to 6 filters give different trade-offs between the Nyquist image rejection and the phase response. DSD mode: 4 filters progressively reduce out-of-audio band noise level."

[@temp7774]

Steve, when I heard "Long Distance" from "Explorations In Space And Time" on my HD700's & Schiit Bifrost/Vali combo I pulled mu headphones down thinking that someone is banging on a shed outside from my window on the right! What a recording!!!!! dCS Bartok DAC/headphone piece is the best DAC/Headphone amp I ever heard (two separate shows in London). Your review is spot-on. Thanks.

[@Chris.from.1950]

Well done, Steve! What I’d like to see is a rundown of headphones, themselves, starting at the high or low end, your pick, but going all the way down to =Under $100=, and climbing the ladder in increments that make sense for mere mortals, like $100, up to $1,000. Ok. I think I’ve done my job, here. 😉❤️👍👍

[@DonHamlin]

Excellent episode! Always appreciate your plugs for headphones.

[@klewja]

Steve I agree on the price to performance ratio with headphones. I have the Abyss AB-1266 Phi Tc. At list price they are 1/4 the price of my magico s1mk2. The Abyss out resolve the speakers and pretty much anything less than the magico m series. I am using the abyss with the Chord Hugo tt2 which powers them very well. Dose the Bartok have enough power to drive the abyss and susvara well?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

creditingkarma Yes, but I guess it depends how loud do you want to go. It was plenty powerful enough for me.

[@merlinthemagus]

Steve also owns a bridge in Brooklyn that is available for sale.

[@mornecoetzee735]

I love that you obviously still prefer CD to streaming like I do. Long live CD 💿

[@miguelbarrio]

Great review, Steve. A few comments (I understand you focused your review which is great): 1- The remote app (dCS Mosaic) is fantastic - but does require that your DAC is connected to the network (via Ethernet) 2- The DAC is RoonReady (ie play over the network from Roon), and supports all network and wired protocols (except Bluetooth)

[@nostro1001]

Hi 👋🏽 Miguel, I'm not understanding.....why does the app require the Bartok to be connected via an Ethernet cable? It is UPnP? Maybe you mean bypassing the onboard dac and connecting another dac? However, that seems unlikely given the units cost. Surely the dac is good enough. Clearly I'm missing something here. 😕 Cheers!!!

[@miguelbarrio]

@@nostro1001 The app connects to the network, and the Bartok needs to be on the network to see it. How else would commands get to the Bartok? This has nothing to do with UPnP, it is how commands reach the Bartok.

[@nostro1001]

@@miguelbarrio Thanks Miguel....I assumed as it's a streaming device it didn't need an Ethernet connection and would connect wirelessly.

[@miguelbarrio]

nostro1001 Nope. Streaming device does not imply the device has any wifi connectivity whatsoever

[@nostro1001]

@@miguelbarrio Thanks Miguel....as I said up above....I figured I was missing something. Now I understand. 😎

[@VuffyPulva]

I'm so glad to hear love for the K812! They are phenomenal to me. I'd sooner reach for those than the HD800. They're actually starting to nip at the heels of my Hifiman HE-500 as far as my enjoyment out of them, and that's no mean feat! I've been running all my headphones out of my Sony TA-ZH1ES, and I can't really see a reason to spend more on a DAC/AMP. In fact, even moving from my previous DAC/AMP, the Marantz HD-DAC1, I couldn't really hear any difference.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Dacs are the worst investment you can make, I struggle to hear much of a difference past a certain point everything sounds real good. The tiny differences between Dacs don't add up to the thousands of dollars price difference. A digital software plug in will probably achieve the same thing and give you way more flexibility. I can't get over the price some pay just for a tiny difference in sound, especially when the difference is only subjectively better. I suppose the rich have to spend their money on something

[@millmoormichael6630]

If you’re ever been to a ”perfect” room, say a world class mastering room, personally, it’s the room that bothers me more than the lack of with cans. I don’t understand folks getting really expensive systems in untreated spaces.

[@miguelbarrio]

If your system is in your living room, you might not be willing to put a lot of unsightly material around. Room placement, furniture placement, etc can get you some way there.

[@nostro1001]

@ Millmoor...for some or even most, it's about trying to get the best your budget will allow. I'm sure a 'better' rig will sound better regardless of the rooms sonic weakness, than a lessor system. There's hardly ever a totally acoustically neutral environment within a home, especially a living space. Cheers!

[@cr0ft-2k]

@@miguelbarrio In that case, paying more than $1 grand for the whole system is sufficient to get decent sound...

[@miguelbarrio]

Croft YMMV

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Have a look at the videos of the subscribers to this channel, one thing that sticks out like dogs balls on a Canary is no room treatments anywhere. Maybe 2% of the rooms have treatment and that's being generous

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

unless a track is specifically mastered for headphones, then speakers is better as that is what they are mixed for. Or you need some sort of cross-feed to mimic speakers. You will not get the stereo image correctly in a headphones with a track mixed for speakers unless you have a speaker simulation somewhere. At least the sound stage and stereo image will suffer.

[@kixxoff928]

This is not a technical review

[@thinaharran]

Steve do you feel the Bartok somehow sounds like it is corners cut design?

[@Ripsnort12]

What are you using for your CD source? Thanks for the great info and review Steve.

[@juliaset751]

Steve, you certainly hit the nail on the head talking about the labels on a lot of equipment being so small or of such poor color choices that they are all but unreadable. I guess it becomes less important after you use a piece of equipment long enough to be able to know what is where, but I still have to use a magnifying glass to read some of the less used settings on my Schiit Yggdrasil. Microscopic grey text on a silver chassis.

[@pauldavies6037]

All manufacturers are now taking headphone listening seriously now because like Steve says the sound quality has improved so much and we should have a serious listen now

[@RenRenification]

I have a simple $8k home theater set up that is out resolved by my $1.5k headphones, but you can feel the music with your entire body with the home theater. I’d rather sit in front of my speakers any days though and can I do so with other listeners. The headphones are a compromise for life.

[@howardmarkert8150]

Use your headphones and just the subwoofer at the same time.

[@scottsmith4024]

Benchmark makes a great headphone DAC and amp and so does matrix audio.

[@stephens2r338]

Its dCS trying to make a more affordable version of their dac marketed to a larger audience. Relatively speaking that is They have done this many times over the past 25 years. Condense their 4 box players into a small simple one box player for 10% of the price.

[@1999zrx1100]

Wow $6,000 for headphones.... Can’t imagine ever spending that!

[@davidcastillo1340]

Hell no, will never spend that much. Bet they sound delicious though

[@mikeables]

I almost went for the HIFI Man headphones for 6 grand. I read the reviews and people were really unhappy with the build quality and efforts to fix the problems which were mostly about fit and finish. Bottom line seemed to be that sets that cost half as much had more quality control in them. I might still get a pair if I can see and hear them. I drool over the HIFI Man and the top of the line Focals. Very different and both suck me in

[@damianzaninovich4900]

Fascinating review. You seem to be smitten by class A amplification. I have never heard high end or even Schiit end class A but it makes me curious. I like that you cover all spectrums of hifi. That Brooklyn store blew me away along with the baby Denon.

[@NoEgg4u]

Steve, how did you get the zeros and ones to the DAC? What is your transport? Which input on the DAC did you use? Which brand/model cable did you use between your transport and DAC? Thank you.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The Jay's Audio CDT 2 MK2 via the XLR connection.

[@NoEgg4u]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I love the way you find/have these secret gems. I say this, because I have never heard you mention that transport, and neither Stereophile nor The Absolute Sound has reviewed it -- yet you discovered the product and use it. Would that transport be beneficial to me?: I use a laptop, via an Audioquest USB cable, to feed my Aesthetix DAC files that are stored on my laptop's SSD. It sounds very good, depending on which .flac files I play (sampling rates seem meaningless). But if I am not getting everything out of the hard-earned bundle of $$ that I spent on my stereo, and the CDT 2 MK2 will make a noticeable improvement, I would like to try it. I spoke to Aesthetix's Jim White, and he assured me that my set-up is optimal. But I am not clear on why anyone would need something like a Jay's Transport, if the laptop does a great job? Does Aesthetix's DAC regenerate the data stream, to ensure that it is bit-perfect, before it converts it to analog? I no longer play CDs. I purchase .flac files. Any CD that I had I have ripped to .flac or .wav files, and discarded the CDs (to save space and remove clutter). Other than re-burning these files to a CD, is there a way to have my laptop feed the CDT 2 MK2 transport, and have the transport feed my DAC? I am asking, because I like the freedom of having all of my music easily accessible on my laptop, via JRiver's Media Center. My goal is to find the best way to get those .flac files from my laptop to my DAC. I know that you cannot answer everyone's questions on every piece of gear. But any insight you have is welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

[@danielsh1015]

Best review in the internet!

[@tjp444]

The Stripped album by Macy Gray is one of my favs. It sounds really good on room speakers and is FANTASTIC on headphones (being a binaural recording)

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Love that shirt

[@ELcinegatto87]

Never been a DCS guy, but this is a beautiful looking product. I'm perfectly fine with the Playback Merlot as far as an Amp/DAC combo. But also been wanting to try the new Bricasti Amp/DAC combo that looks killer.

[@leo_mas_922]

Bartok + STAX / Susvara : Ultimate experience. But you renounce to a car for that LOL

[@ralphfurley123]

Great review as always!!! Unfortunately, I can’t see myself investing $15k on this or any DAC/headphone amp!!! But as an endgame equipment for headphones, it’s good to know what the best of the best is!!! ☮️🖖🏽

[@steveassante6797]

Now these are the connections that ALL Audio Components should be using ! Lots of BNC & Balanced inputs tell you that they're serious about having the best possible transfer of signal purity/integrity ! This doesn't always make up for crappy sound engineered source material, but it helps source material that IS better than you thought it was

[@jeffsloane8628]

Another great video! Can you tell us what the triangle shaped object is in the corner of your room? I spot it on the upper right of the frame and am wondering if that is a sound absorber or diffuser.

[@rickym.5271]

I listen to the dcs bartok a few months ago. Its great and I appreciate the company's background, in house components, quality control and craftsmanship. But at $15k.... Have to take a personal loan.

[@peterserrano9320]

...why not...If I had the disposable $$$, I would be listening to it right now...IS THERE A PERFECT DAC OR WILL THERE EVER BE ONE?

[@V1ralB1ack]

I don't think perfection is possible. Only because some days you might want something super dynamic and other days something smoother. Sometimes more detail and other days more warm sound that draws you in.

[@a.c.9495]

Where is the Bartók review?

[@Cocteau61]

I love the audio Philly Ak

[@rothschildianum]

I really love this dCS Bartok, I bought 3 of them last month, one for my kitchen, one for my office, and one for my nanny's room. The price is very reasonable!

[@fizywig]

Would the emporium Meze earphones be good match with this dac?

[@Sams911]

would have been much better if you focused less on the headphones part of it... it's a DAC WITH a headphone jack... not a Headphone pre-amp WITH a DAC>>>>>>!!!!

[@jlmain5777]

At first I cringe at the prices being mentioned, but after mulling it over have decided that it is more than reasonable for a person that loves listening to music should allow about the same amount that they would spend on a car for a great audio system. I love the whole value proposition of a budget system, but at some point you should buy the system that you want. Look at what people spend playing golf or sailing or any hobby. Now if I would just take my own advice.

[@matthewbarrow3727]

I spend a lot more time listening to my audio system than I drive my car. On a cost per time basis, spending the same amount of an audio system as a car provides more satisfaction value. What people see is the necessity of a car, but not of an audio system. ie. Audio system would only come out of disposable income, versus a loan for a car. However, if you spend more on a car than the bare necessities (e.g. buy a BMW rather than a Honda), then the question of value has to be re-examined. I have a system which costs the same as a Honda Civic. To me, it is worth it, as I spend hours a day using it (as it is both for 2-channel as well as Home Theatre), many times more time than I spend driving the car.

[@matthewbarrow3727]

When it comes to audio systems, it is useful to have some criteria to judging a system. Of course, there is the "subjective" preference. However, I am currently reading Bob Katz's book "Mastering Audio" (which is about the audio mastering process) where he points out that the primary difference we can hear between MP3 and CD is "depth" and "space". The idea of sound stage depth and space could be used as a criteria. When one uses this criteria, I find that my records (on Linn Sondek LP12) have greater depth and space than my CDs (or TIDAL), which means that my records compare to CDs as CDs compare to MP3s. However, to hear this, you need a very good system. The enjoyment no longer comes from just the music sound itself. It also comes from the way the band plays with depth and space. This is not an old concept. I have an SOS band album from the 80's where they add the "hall-reverb" in the middle of the song. You first hear the band playing, and they feel like they are in your room. Then they pull in the hall-reverb mid-song and the front wall disappears, and if feels like you are in a large hall. Your system needs room correction that gets rid of the reflected sound waves so that you only hear the reverb from the recording, if you want the walls to disappear. This playing with depth and space adds a whole different dimension to the enjoyment of music. Of course, you pay for this. Mind you. Ignorance is bliss. If you have never experienced such audio systems, you will never know that they exist, and will be quite happy with lower level systems (where you may even think that they are the best around).

[@jlmain5777]

Matthew Barrow I’ll check this book out. Thanks for the thoughtful insight.

[@jlmain5777]

Matthew Barrow That’s what I’ve been thinking. There’s no reason not to get a loan and buy the kind of system that you want to have provided you can identify what that is.

[@manardh7387]

@@matthewbarrow3727 I have said the same thing many times. Today I realize the quality of the recording can be pivotal in the presentation. I bought tube amps over the years to deliver what I perceived as obvious missing realism.

[@clintonwalker5000]

Steve which is the second and third best headphones amp you listen to because I can’t afford that one lol , no seriously I will be interested to know 🇬🇧

[@zipperunamused9009]

Headamp gsx mk2, pass labs (good but just a bit overpriced), Dynahi (se), Dynahi susy (xlr), Zana Deux (high z only), beta 22 (se not bridged) - these are it.

[@mattsch21]

JDS Labs atom is literally all you need. Smsl sp200 if you need more power.

[@clintonwalker5000]

joe m Thanks Jo I’ve looked all them up ,interesting, i’m still looking for a headphone amp, linear tube audio preamplifier and headphones amp sounds appealing but I live in England and can’t listen 👂 planning to go to Munich HI FI show get some ideas this year. 🤟🇬🇧.

[@tthedon2471]

@@clintonwalker5000 try graham slee. i use it with denon d200

[@chelicon21]

joe m errr, you forgot, what is, if not the best amp certainly in the top 3. The Luxman P-750u. If you don’t believe me ask Steve.

[@delvalle9256]

Hi 👋 Steve, will we ever see your review of the Denafrips Terminator.

[@c.g.c2067]

Silly amount of money also considering the aging of hearing capacities

[@kixxoff928]

This is not a review

[@MrL7552]

Hi, can u connect a CD transport to the Bartok and then the Bartok direct to a power amplifier?

[@macmovieman1]

Is there anything close at half the price? Thinking about the Weiss 501.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

No question, DCS makes great stuff for the very few who can afford it. However, even if I could afford it, spending $15,000 on any one component would never happen. Just seems irresponsible/ wasteful to me. Same is true for Wilson / Magico speakers, DAgostino electronics and the whole myriad of high brow components targeted at the wealthy with big margins for retailers. Nonetheless, another well done review.

[@klewja]

I would have to disagree with you on the speakers. I was able to pick up a pair of Magico S1mk2 speakers at a pretty steep discount. I replaced a pair of dynaudio C1 platinums that I was also able to pick up at a good discount too. The magicos are a really big step up from the dynaudios. I currently drive them with a Hegel H360 imo it sounds great and keeps up with more expensive amps.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

Used is a different animal. Enjoy!!

[@klewja]

@@Michael-xz1nk I did not buy them used. I just have a good relationship with my local dealer. This is why I always buy from a local shop if at all possible. Plus it gives y pl u a chance to audition equipment possibly at home too.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

Sounds great. Enjoy!!

[@mikem4214]

I don't 'get' giga-buck gear, but I don't have giga-bucks. When I win the Powerball that will all change! AND the people buying these mega $$$ rigs are supporting an industry, providing jobs, and indirectly contributing to the advancement of the hobby.

[@carolineleonard8214]

John Dario certainly agrees with you.

[@d007thomas1]

Steve how would you compare the Bartok to the denafrip terminator?

[@gernerchristensen8114]

I think Steve, you deserve a serious response to your review. Own an extremely well-sounding playback system. One of the best sounding systems out there. Received the Bartok w.o. the headphone pre. And here it goes: I have to go many years back, or just look left or right in 2021, to find an as nonmusical, flat sounding, greyish, and dead DAC in my life. How is it possible that 'you', yes you, can praise such a mediocre sound as much as you do? I am just thinking and made my conclusions. Hold that thought.

[@martinvegas1327]

Does this power the Abyss headphones properly?

[@jimshaw899]

Hmmm... a $13,000 DAC? Sounds like the million dollar loaf of bread: it's a hard sell, but you only have to sell one... Sometimes, I feel like a backpacking traveler looking at the Brooklyn Bridge and asking the price.

[@jimshaw899]

How many New York Philharmonic concerts, Springsteen tickets, or Village Vanguard cover charges would $13,000 pay for? Even including off-street parking?

[@mkwilson38]

Ya’ll are acting like there’s only one level of hi-fi to play within...

[@taldoren]

@@jimshaw899 what a stupid comment, but ok, I would say Zero.. I doubt I could get Springsteen to play a gig whenever I want - and only the songs I want too- now what about bands that are no more- or artists that have passed - going to cost a heap in researching time travel ... but hey 13K should cover it riiight. As I said a really fking stupid comparison.

[@jimshaw899]

@@taldoren I have found that someone who uses the term stupid in polite company suffers from that deficiency.

[@taldoren]

@@jimshaw899 Maybe, or could just be pointing out how bloody stupid a statement or point of view is., besides never said I was not stupid :). Happy to be proved wrong that I could just phone up Bruce and get him to put on a concert when I feel like listening to him for $13k as many times as I like...

[@davediaz4873]

YES! old people rock :)

[@moonlight-kh6uz]

does it have fiber optic input?

[@yc-tai]

Perfecting it, does it mean not quite there? Any mature person with non perfect hearing like 16 years old is welcome to this MOST expensive equipment...

[@MangoZen]

Nice break from speakers. Been a little OD’d on speaker reviews...Thanks!

[@purposefully.verbose]

dCS is garbage

[@kingdavid7571]

Just curious, Steve... Hace you heard the Meze Empyrean?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes, didn't like it enough.

[@kingdavid7571]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks for replying. If you have the time... what were its shortcomings?

[@fizywig]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac would the HEDD headphone you reviewed pair well with the BArtok?

[@endre8202]

Anyone ever noticed, that he almost never shows the gear that he is "reviewing" ?

[@omni6409]

The Bartok is good, but it is not insanely good. Just good. It can get kinda too polite and soft at times. Not exciting enough, but good tonality. There was nothing about it that blew my mind actually.

[@massivemikeh]

Interesting...what Dac do you like? Cheers.

[@omni6409]

@@massivemikeh My taste is a lot cheaper. Good bang for the buck Bifrost 2.

[@dontcare563]

Not according to SEVERAL reviews I've read about it. You of course are entitled to your opinion but its not in agreement with the others!

[@Waitaminutesilly]

How does this device perform as dac n preamp for speakers?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes

[@christopherhudson3163]

Steve, someday, take the same music, the same headphones, the same Bartok - and compare it to a Topping D10 DAC ($90) and JDS Atom amp ($130) combo. Have an 'engineer friend' setup an A/B listening test - making sure the Amp out voltage between the two is equalized. Do the A/B tests blind of course - no fair looking. Then tell us about the differences😊

[@spoonmonkey3]

@Larry Niles No, it's not..

[@manardh7387]

I suspect the test to be very revealing in results. Most reviewers try to walk the line of balance to sustainability of various business.

[@gregolsen4048]

Totally agree Christopher. Amir at AudioScienceReview has shown the some of the pretty things raved about here and at other subjective reviewers sites don’t measure as well as the pieces you just mentioned or even an Apple dac in a dongle. Ridiculous.

[@emreisiklar]

I already own very good digital source, will it be worth in that case?

[@nostro1001]

Yep 😊 Isn't this a network streamer (with headphone amp & dac) or did I miss you mentioning that when I thought about it being some $22k out here? I can't get my head around how good this must be compared to those left behind in its wake. Maybe I'm just more likely to see the value in a turntable with tonearm & cartridge in this price bracket....I can visualise and understand the engineering involved. Cheers. Oh...next time you listen to this unit with headphones of your choice.....give it a real workout with some more complex tracks....not minimalist vocal and instrumental music. That sounds great on most rigs!!!

[@邹凯文-l1t]

I had a luck to listen to full flagship dcs setp consists of cd player+pre amp+power amp+........I don't remmeber but you get the point, and the speaker was by YG acoustic sonja. Whatever you play threw it will sounds exatcly like it. Just simply imagne you are going to see a show infront of your face. It was a show presented by one of the retailer in Beijing, it is a privilege to live here.

[@nostro1001]

Nice.....lucky indeed 👌🏽😎

[@bolsesolheim7469]

I concentrate on the best tube gear 300B Western Electric ,KT 88 ! 845 Nagras , Svetlana 572B and the fabulous 833 C!

[@raynewcomb337]

Woo Audio with those Abyss is a great combo!

[@sndpds50]

What is the cost of this dac?? And any possibility to ship in india

[@athathsonty2925]

Watch "Don't buy a car. Buy a dCS Bartok", to get better idea about the dCS Bartok and its Price.

[@sndpds50]

Ramarao Sonty yes i already checked the price.

[@athathsonty2925]

Do also watch John Darko's KZbin Video - Don't buy a car. Buy a dCS Bartok.

[@julianayala03]

I have that ..explorations of space and time hahaha , i bought it because it was binaural recording.

[@daredevilkk]

Have compare it with Chord’s Dave DAC/headphone amp? Similar price range.

[@GlaciaDay]

daredevilkk Even though DAVE is a great product, Bartok is superior in almost every single way imo. Better Headphone Amp with balanced output, better product design, Network support, Roon ready, better build quality.

[@GlaciaDay]

Also one thing I just cannot get over DAVE is how cheap its remote control looks. They have not put in a single thought on how a remote control of a $15000 DAC should look like.

[@mikem4214]

Its not unusual to hear a traditional rig's cost should be allocated 40% speakers, 60% electronics and sources, or something like that. What is a comparable allocation for a headphone setup?

[@Gary_M]

This is the kind of stuff that makes people embarrassed to say they're an audiophile.

[@leo_mas_922]

Gary M Why ?

[@athathsonty2925]

IMHO, this precisely IS the kind of stuff why someone can be very much proud to be an Audiophile. I fully agree, very few of us can afford it, but that's no reason not to acknowledge the awesomeness of such incredible audiophile gear.

[@thedroidbha]

The focus on DACs these days is overwhelming. If 100% = best music listening experience, then 55% depends on your music source - the quality of recordings, 40% depends on your speakers & your amplification system, balance, 5% is shared by DACs, your other interfaces, equipment matching, cables etc etc. Finally, most DACs sound good to very good even excellent from say $500 to $2000 mark. So, you do the maths... If someone wants to spend $5,000 to $100,000 or more well, excellent. Good on you. Just my HO. For me, I would rather change my speakers and other equipments in the ratios above before even considering a new DAC. Or go completely analog bypassing the need for a DAC.

[@stephensmith3111]

In the immortal words of The [fabulous] Rutles, "All you need is cash! Dah, da-dah. da-daahhh!

[@59seank]

I stopped listening when I finally heard the price (@5:00). Steve, please mention the price at the beginning of the video so we know if it is a product we might buy.

[@leo_mas_922]

59seank I might so dont bother LOL

[@andrewbadart3827]

Hey Steve, I'm wondering if you might consider reviewing the new Apple Earpod pro's?. I know they're not gonna be in this class of headphone, but by the same token, they ain't cheap either, so I'm thinking they must be pretty good!.

[@miguelbarrio]

Andrew Badart I just tried them at the Apple store. Noise cancellation is very marginal. Sound not that interesting. For $250 I would rather get the Fiio FH5 which would give you more isolation passively

[@andrewbadart3827]

@@miguelbarrio Thanks for that Miguel, I'm almost not surprised that somebody said this, and perhaps Apple should just stick to what they're good at!.

[@TryAndLife]

Review without on hand device? wow.

[@zipperunamused9009]

I think the balanced out is just there for connivence. I can’t imagine dCS would include bridged class A 2 channel headphone amp in such a small box. Would be better off with separate dac and headphone amp.

[@cillyede]

Great, danke.

[@mikeday62]

For $6000 I would get a $4000 Nelson Pass amplifier and decent speakers.

[@taldoren]

or many other things ...a few trick engine mods - a PC upgrade - a cruise etc - or this DAC, strange that.

[@fubarnow8907]

NOPE, Not gonna spend that for a DAC. For that kind of money I could get a Pretty Nice Prima Luna set up including DAC. I know, you're just doing yur job.

[@leo_mas_922]

Fubarnow I would . Just personal choice

[@jimomertz]

Thanks for this review. This streamer is on my short list but I have no interest in headphones. I would like to know how this compares to others streamers in this price range, like the Naim products, through amps and speakers. Does it sound better than them? In what ways is it superior? What are its flaws? Can that price be justified?

[@bernard8029]

I have a non-headphone Bartok, upgrading from the dCS DeBussy. It is all of what Steve mentions. I have not compared it to the Chord Dave or the new Naim but I imagine they are excellent also. I am using a ARC REF 75 SE tube amp and Magico speakers, no preamp. Flaws? I like their Mosaic software but I can't get way from Roon and their user interface. Tidal streaming plus my albums on the same platform just beats Mosaic. Sonically, I see no flaws.

[@jimomertz]

Thanks Bernard. That’s a nice system. I only have music on my NAS so don’t plan on using Roon. Is the Mosaic app good enough with upnp? If not, that might be a deal breaker. Have you played around with any of the filters? Do they sound different?

[@bernard8029]

@@jimomertz hi Jimo. You can play the Bartok through the UpnP setting by installing Minimserver on your NAS. That's what I did, on my QNAP NAS. Bartok plays wonderfully but I did not play around with the filters yet. I also play my NAS through my Mac Mini using the Bartok USB setting. I like to switch from Roon, Audirvana and Amarra Luxe. Try streaming Tidal and it's MQA selection on a trial basis. Truly amazing. You won't regret.

[@manardh7387]

I don't know if it makes sense to spend a lot of money on a full size system anymore. Spend the money on food.

[@taldoren]

Why does it have to be one or the other ?

[@salmonline]

The Massdrop Senn 6XX or Masdrop HiFi Man 4XX?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

salmonline Hifiman

[@salmonline]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thank you👍

[@mikeables]

I hate high end that doesn't add up. $13000 for a dac or a phono cart is enough to anger me. I think some of the time it is because the company can not make 5000 units due to their plant size so they make 50 units and try to convince us they are worth the same amount as if they made 5000 The reason I hate it is because it leaves me and my friends out of the market

[@taldoren]

Might be a bit more to it than that you know - lower price = different market and competition. There is also the tipping point where making more product = less profit, logistics is just plain expensive and as yo ramp up the product numbers there is a point where logistic costs do not scale at the same value e.g, increasing production by 50% costs 200% overhead, many many businesses have killed themselves overnight thinking producing more is better.

[@mikeables]

@@taldoren These guys making dacs and cartridges charge more because there is a market. People willing to pay or people who falsely think that price = quality. They all claim to make the Bugatti Veyron of their market when there is no comparison to the cost of goods in the product. I will never be a fan of 10,000% mark up. You can blame shipping and warehouses all you want.

[@taldoren]

@@mikeables Was not saying thats the reason for the cost - was saying - selling more (e.g cheaper unit costs) does not always result in more profit. And spot on - if you can sell something for X and the market supports it enough for you to stay in business and make decent profit then good on em. It's also not like you cannot get a cheaper DAC, so whats the issue really ?

[@mikeables]

@@taldoren The issue is that the quality is not there. The cost of goods is not there. The resale value is not there. So, in simple words. You are wasting your money.

[@miguelbarrio]

Not everyone can buy a Ferrari. Whatchagonnado?

[@Projacked1]

Looking at the noise specs; my 900 bucks audio interface can do that.... There must be fairy dust in there.

[@moonlight-kh6uz]

I thought this was a DAC/streamer, but now I see it is just a DAC

[@ThePepperdawg]

It is both!

[@danielsh1015]

I listen to many reviews by John Darco, but I haven't been able to subscribe or even "like" many of his reviews. I found out today when I wanted to comment on his review of the dCS. I wanted to say that he's an excellent bullshittter but he doesn't accept comments. I know why.

[@dontcare563]

He's one of my favorite reviewers and he highly rated the DCS just like Steve is doing. My guess is he doesn't do comments because of people like you. Funny how you come here to rag on another reviewer!

[@danielsh1015]

@@dontcare563 Whomever doesn’t accept comments is an insecure reviewer. Steve would never do that.

[@bunozen1]

It is NOT a McIntosh hps amp. Where are the power transformers? I will pass.

[@leo_mas_922]

Jay Bizz McIntosh is shitly overpriced

[@bunozen1]

Eugenio Di Castro my friend go ahead and get the 15k dollars then.

[@leo_mas_922]

Jay Bizz I will ! That amount is not a problem for me. And Susvara coming right after. I just prefer headphones over speakers... and dCS / Chord over McIntosh. Personal choice!

[@cr0ft-2k]

Well, a DAC is a DAC, but I would suspect a FiiO K5 Pro would sound pretty much as good as this, for $150. Or at the very least, I don't think this sounds $14.850 better.

[@taldoren]

Or how some people don't think a $30K car is any better than a $500 beater...

[@cr0ft-2k]

@@taldoren That's a really stupid comparison. Of course a new car is going to be better than a used-up car. That's not remotely what this discussion is about.

[@cr0ft-2k]

@Larry Niles Please feel free to elaborate. The measurements I've read about of the dCS are not bad, but neither are measurements of the FiiO. The dCS may be a little bit better on paper, but audibly? I have severe reservations there.

[@cr0ft-2k]

@Larry Niles Just to be clear, I'm sure the dCS measures well and performs well and was designed by people who are science driven, I'm not crapping on it. I'm just saying that you can get 99.99% of the experience for a fraction of the money.

[@cr0ft-2k]

Heck, to conclude this - the Drop THX AAA 789 may be the best pure headphone amplifier ever made by man, at $500, complete with an insane 6 watt headphone amp and THX AAA anti-distortion tech. Add a good DAC for a couple hundred more and you have sound reproduction that probably comes close to as good as humanity will ever be able to produce. You're still well under a thousand bucks.

[@johngore5127]

Always enjoy your episodes, although I found your choice of music to listen to rather rarified. I expect most of your music listeners are not going to have them in their collection. But, oh well.

[@tthedon2471]

hmm how about Invicta Mirus? way cheaper

[@tthedon2471]

also the Matrix Audio Element X

[@birgerolofsson2347]

Why have many headphones? 2 I can understand, 1 older that you never use and a pair new and great.

[@leo_mas_922]

Birger Olofsson They sound different!

[@adotopp1865]

I am not a big headphone user (just have cheap sennheisers) but possibly could be swayed if there were more Binaural stuff

[@mikrophonie5633]

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

[@mag-wp6yt]

A fool and his money are easily wed.

[@ryanschipp8513]

Save yourself $11,000 and get the nuprime DAC 10h. Steve, I'm willing to bet you a hundred bucks that if you listen to the DAC you're presenting and the nuprime you'll agree that the DAC you're listening to isn't worth $11,000 more.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

15k + let's say 1.5k for headphones. So 16.5k Let me see, do I pay off 16.5k on my mortgage or upgrade my car or go on a nice holiday or buy toys that make music sound a bit nicer???? Hmmmmm

[@taldoren]

Maybe ask Siri ? or maybe do all 3 ?

[@demokraken]

Maybe you have other personal problems or some health issues? Don't stop, share with us, we all here to read/listen some whining.