dCS has been my ultimate go-to system for the past three years. Previously, I had reviewed each component of the dCS Lina system separately (review located here) and complete with all three elements. Then dCS released its updated Bartók with the APEX version of the DAC.
Reviewing both the original Bartók (review located here) and then the APEX version (review located here) was another outstanding listening experience. The Bartók APEX has been here for a few months, and I was happy using it as a standalone unit that, for most, will represent the final system you would need for the best in sound from any headphones.
Drew Baird from Moon Audio called me and asked me to review the Lina Headphone Amp and Lina Master Clock with the Bartók APEX as DAC using his Silver Dragon interconnects. When I finished reviewing the complete Lina system, I said it was the best digital system I had ever experienced. I switched the Lina DAC for Bartók APEX DAC, which sounded fantastic in its own right. The new system using the Bartók APEX with the Lina
After hooking up Drew’s Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable between the Lina Master Clock and the Bartók APEX DAC using the Silver Dragon Balanced Interconnect to the Lina Headphone Amp, then connecting the Bartók APEX DAC to my Roon audio system via USB, using my MacBook as the source with Roon, I was ready to start my listening sessions.
I began my musical journey using a variety of reference headphones, starting with Dan Clark Audio Stealth and the Silver Dragon Premium Cable for Dan Clark Audio Headphones.
Musical Choices
Playing Patricia Barber’s “Company” from “Modern Cool” which is an excellent recording with acoustic bass and a terrific female vocal using the STEALTH closed-back design headphone from Dan Clark Audio was a revelation. The Lina amp and clock stepped up the Bartók with more power and inner detail than I had heard in any system before. Kick drums and sticks hitting the drum kit were explosive and sounded more realistic than hearing it on any system I had used previously. Using the total system exhibited more air and space, and the trumpet was floating in its own space, the soundstage was wider with much more definition, and it was able to extract everything from this outstanding performance. The dCS system created musical enjoyment without compromises.
“Cinema Paradiso” from “The Best of Ennio Morricone”, through the Audeze LCD-5 fully balanced using a Cardas Clear cable, showcased the Audeze design. The soundstage was layered and deep with excellent definition. This beautiful track showcased the magical sound and beauty portrayed in the movie.
“Been All Round This World” from Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s album of the same title, showcasing Jerry’s unique guitar and vocals as well as Grisman’s excellent playing of mandolin, made pure music using acoustic instruments. I could hear inner detail and each musician in my room as the Audio-Technica NARUKAMI ATH-AWKG reference wood cupped transducer stepped up to a new level of enjoyment with each guitar string being plucked in concert with the Mandolin counterpoint; I could hear the body of each instrument clearly and without any compromise. World-class sound and an experience that made me wonder how this was possible; it was that good.
“Bill” from Jane Monheit’s excellent “Taking a Chance on Love” album is one of Jane’s masterful performances with the piano on her left, and her seductive capitating vocal sounded fresh and alive. Hearing her vocals is captivating, and this track once again was believable. Jane makes every song her own, and the Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE utilizing the Dragon cable from Moon Audio again was magical. Closing my eyes, the EXPANSE open-back design captured all the inner details of the piano. And her vocals were better than I had ever heard on this track. Pure Magic!
“I Won’t Dance” sounded more like Sinatra with Michael Buble’s vocals, still, when teamed up with Jane, the flawless delivery was musical and brought us back to when Big Band sound was alive and toe-tapping. There was excellent dynamic range, and the treble and bass sounded better than I had heard with the Lina DAC.
HIFIMAN’s SUSVARA was my next choice to test the system. At the same time, I used “Fanfare for the Common Man”, my favorite track to try with any headphone and system for dynamic range and orchestra layering, but also for the speed of the components. If anything is missing in this track, the sound will collapse. Once again, being treated to magic with the SUSVARA and Danacable Lazuli cable, I was treated to a layered performance with exceptional dynamics and speed. The tympani whacks were fast, and every musician was in their own space. I never felt the dCS system disappointed, and this was the best I have heard this track reproduced on any prior system I reviewed. SUSVARA reproduced the music with speed and musicality never heard before in my listening sessions. WOW!
Final Thoughts
dCS continues to provide excellent engineering with the Bartók APEX. Reviewing the Lina system in the past, I stated that it was the best system I had heard, never giving any thought to improving that sound for headphone listening. I was wrong; as the Bartók APEX was inserted, I immediately heard more musicality. The Lina amp and clock connected with Moon Audio Silver Dragon interconnects took the stellar system to another level. Immediately noticeable, the Bartók APEX DAC had more transparency. The treble extension was never-ending. Horns, Trumpets, and Saxophones were more visible in the soundstage with more air. You could feel the musician playing the instrument, they felt as if they were in their own space with greater extension.
Bass went low, and on tracks with deep bass, the extension was fantastic. Not once did I feel the Bartók APEX system was ever disappointing. Musicality was first-rate, with individual notes becoming audible. You could feel the wood sound of the acoustic bass and the music playing with exceptional detail.
Whether male or female, vocals were exciting and crystal transparent, free of any sibilance. Details once again were vivid, and my listening sessions, which were hours, then days, and weeks of listening, were always new and exciting. Long hours of listening without fatigue were welcomed. dCS once again delivered an experience and never compromised the sound
What is missing in this system is coloration. The Bartók Aprex system never added or subtracted and always sounded new and refreshing, with good recordings.
So? Who is this system for?
Music lovers who want the best system available at any price should audition for this magnificent system. While 40K is not inexpensive, with modular components, you can write checks individually for the components and always step up listening to headphones completely. People who can write the check for the dCS mega system will be rewarded with the best listening system for headphones currently available. None better I know of, on the mark, and this system is future-proof. Every dCS component is upgradeable via firmware, making this a system that will be fresh and exciting years for years to come.
Consider the cost of an investment that will get you off the musical merry-go-round and last a lifetime. Moon Audio’s fantastic cables gave it more air and transparency, and added the final touches to start your listening session. The dCS Lina Master Clock and Bartók APEX is simply breathtaking and in my opinion is worth the money for your long-term enjoyment. A strong contender for our product of the year, I will surely miss this great system when it leaves, but I will always remember the sessions that brought joy to my soul.
Highly Recommended.
Price:
dCS Bartók APEX DAC/Headphone Amplifier: $22,950
dCS Bartók APEX DAC (DAC only):$20,950
dCS Lina Master Clock: $7,750.00
dCS Lina Headphone Amp: $9,750.00
Moon Audio Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable (3’/BNC): $350 (note: 2 required)
Moon Audio Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable V2 (pr): $800
Moon Audio Silver Dragon Premium Cable for Dan Clark Audio Headphones (4-pin XLR): $575
Manufacturer’s Website:
Specifications:
dCS Bartók APEX DAC/Headphone Amplifier:
Type – Upsampling Network DAC with Headphone Amplifier
Color – Silver or Black
Dimensions – 444mm / 17.5” x 430mm / 17.0” x 115mm / 4.6“. Allow extra depth for cable connectors
Weight – 16.7kg / 36.8lbs
Converter Type – dCS proprietary Ring DAC™ topology
Digital Inputs – Ethernet network port on RJ45 connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DFF/DSF format; USB 2.0 interface on B-type connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DoP format; USB On-The-Go interface on A-type connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DFF/DSF format; 2 x AES/EBU inputs on 3-pin female XLR connectors, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format; 1 x Dual AES pair, accepts 24-bit 88.2 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF on RCA Phono connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF on BNC connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF optical on TOSLINK connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 96kS/s PCM
Analogue Outputs – 1 x pair balanced outputs on 2 x XLR connectors. Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedance: 3Ω. Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended); 1 x pair unbalanced outputs on 2 x RCA connectors. Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedance: 52Ω. Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended)
Headphone Outputs – 1 x stereo balanced output 4-pin male XLR connector; 1 x stereo unbalanced output on 6.35mm (1/4”) 3-pole jack. Full-scale output levels: 1.4W rms into 33Ω, 0.15W rms into 300Ω. Minimum headphone impedance: 33Ω
Wordclock I/O – 2 x Word Clock Inputs on 2 x BNC connectors, accept standard Word Clock at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz. The data rate can be the same as the clock rate or an exact multiple of the clock rate. Sensitive to TTL levels. 1 x Word Clock Output on 1x BNC connector. With Sync Mode set to Master, a TTL-compatible Word Clock is output
MQA – Full decoding and rendering of MQA data from the Network and USB2 inputs. Final rendering of unfolded MQA data only from the other inputs
Residual Noise – 24-bit data: Better than –113dB0, 20Hz – 20kHz unweighted (6V output setting)
L R Crosstalk – Better than -115dB0, 20Hz – 20kHz
Spurious Responses – Better than -105dB0, 20Hz – 20kHz
Filters – 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
Conversions – DXD as standard or optional DSD upsampling
Software Updates – Download and update functionality available via dCS Mosaic Control app
Local Control – dCS Mosaic Control app for unit configuration and playback. RS232 interface (controlled by a 3rd party automation system). dCS Universal Remote is available as an optional extra
Power Supply – Factory set to either 100, 115/120, 220 or 230/240V AC 50/60Hz
Power Consumption – 30 Watts typical / 50 Watts maximum
dCS Lina Master Clock:
| Clock Type | Grade 1 Master Clock, with oven-controlled crystal oscillators |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions / Weight | 121.5mm (H) x 220mm (W) x 339mm (D) / 7kg |
| Shipping Dimensions / Weight | TBC |
| Finish | Black machined aluminium |
| Clock Accuracy | Better than +/-1 ppm when shipped over an ambien ttemperature range of +5°C to +45°C |
| Startup Time | Typically 10 minutes to rated accuracy |
| Word Clock Outputs | 2 x independently buffered TTL-compatible output on 75Ω BNC connectors |
| Output 1: fixed at 44.1kHz | |
| Output 2: fixed at 48kHz | |
| Power Link (synchronising on/off state with other products) | 2 x RJ45 |
| Power | 90-120v & 220-240v, 50/60Hz nominal |
| Consumption 10W | |
| Certifications | CE / EMC |
| CCC | |
| KC | |
| FCC | |
| Included with your Lina Master Clock | 1 x Mains cable [2m] |
| 1 x Power Link cable [0.5m] | |
| 2 x BNC [0.5m] |
dCS Lina Headphone Amp:
| Power Link (synchronising on/off state with other products) | 2 x RJ45 |
|---|---|
| Electronics | Pure analogue design |
| Automatic voltage switching | |
| Analogue Inputs | 1 x stereo pair unbalanced RCA, input impedance 48kΩ |
| 1 x stereo pair unbuffered balanced XLR, input impedance 16kΩ | |
| 1 x stereo pair buffered balanced XLR, input impedance 96kΩ | |
| Power | 90-120v & 230-240v, 50/60Hz nominal |
| Frequency Response | 1Hz-100kHz better than +0/-3dB |
| THD+N | <0.005% @ 1kHz 6V rms balanced output into 30Ω (80kHz bandwidth) |
| Channel Separation | Balanced input to balanced output into 30Ω. Better than 100dB @ 1kHz. Better than 80dB, 20Hz–20kHz. |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 110dB 20Hz-20kHz A-weighted(referenced to 6V rms balanced input and output) |
| Headphone Outputs | 1 x dual 3-pin balanced XLR, right and left channel |
| 1 x single 4-pin balanced XLR | |
| 1 x single .” (6.35mm) headphone jack | |
| Power Output | Balanced 2W into 30Ω |
| Balanced 0.48W into 300Ω | |
| Unbalanced 1.6W into 30Ω | |
| Unbalanced 0.2W into 300Ω | |
| Certification | CE / EMC |
| CCC | |
| KC | |
| FCC |
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