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MBL, dCS, Goldmund, Gryphon etc Ultra High End Equipment

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  #11  
Old 02-10-2019, 12:45 AM
hughp3 hughp3 is offline
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i took delivery of mine last week. old DAC was a Cullen modified PS III. the difference is extraordinary. very low noise floor. amazing detail, very fluid sounding. i had struggled with harsh highs, spent a lot of time modifying the room. that in itself was a major major improvement. the dCS eliminated all that i had been chasing. well worth the price (for me).

I have not tried using the DAC driving the amps. I will try at some point but would like some feedback from others.

System:
Magnepan 20.7
pair of Vandersteen Sub 3, HP7 crossovers
AR Ref 6
Mac 601 monos
PC tower with JCAT FEMTO USB + external ps
JRiver and TIDAL MQA
AQ high end cables, Hurricane and Dragon power cords
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  #12  
Old 02-10-2019, 10:50 PM
Slange00 Slange00 is offline
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Congratulations @hughp3 ! For what it’s worth the initial audition that convinced me to get the Bartok utilized a Ref6 pre, seemed like a very potent combination. That being said I subsequently auditioned it going direct and the difference was notable but less pronounced than using different amps going direct with the dcs , or the differences between the bartok vs my Ps audio.
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  #13  
Old 02-10-2019, 11:54 PM
hughp3 hughp3 is offline
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Hello Slange00. Humm well I need to try it then. Could recoup substainal $ if I don’t need the Ref6. My shop has recommended not too... said in the long run enough customers go back to the pre..
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  #14  
Old 02-11-2019, 12:43 AM
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Masterlu Masterlu is offline
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hughp3... Welcome to AA!
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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #15  
Old 02-11-2019, 01:06 AM
hughp3 hughp3 is offline
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Thank you!
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  #16  
Old 02-11-2019, 12:15 PM
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For The Love of Music For The Love of Music is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hughp3 View Post
Hello Slange00. Humm well I need to try it then. Could recoup substainal $ if I don’t need the Ref6. My shop has recommended not too... said in the long run enough customers go back to the pre..


I don’t recommend losing your preamp, it’s versatile if change comes down the road - and in this cult, it’s inevitable
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  #17  
Old 02-12-2019, 11:29 PM
vinci92 vinci92 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slange00 View Post
I thought I'd start a thread about the new dCS Bartok, to allow AA members to share their thoughts and impressions of this new product.



I will start with my experience.



I own a PS Audio Directstream DAC w Bridge II (and snowmass firmware), which I have been happy with. My dealer got a visit by a couple folks from dCS and they brought a Bartok demo unit with them. I asked whether they would be ok to do a direct shoot out between the Bartok and the DirectStream (my hope was to prove to myself that I had reached a point of very limited returns and that differences between the two units would be incredibly minor or differences of subjective taste at best).



The setup consisted of Wilson Yvette speakers, ARC Ref6, transparent (super?) interconnects for both DACs, stock power cables on both units and the ARC REF75SE. Each DAC was fed the same songs via Roon over a locally switched ethernet connection. Each DAC's output was level matched to each other. The room was sound treated.



I played a variety of tracks from electronic music albums (Trentemoller "The Last Resort", Shpongle) to more standard classical fare( Nemanja Radulovic's recent "Journey East" , Andras Schiff Bach concertos, Hilary Hahn Mozart and Bach concertos). The rep played some Beyonce and some other tracks I didnt recognize



Overall the PS Audio Directstream comported itself pretty well, the dCS representative was kind enough to acknowledge as much . However, and not entirely surprising given the significant difference in cost, there were definitely notable performance differences I could discern. The dCS rendered a more holographic soundstage, mid bass content was more cleanly and clearly rendered, the tails of room reverb and effects especially on high res material was more clearly represented lending the music a more lifelike, vibrant sense. Overall the presentation seemed more warm without being colored, more emotionally engaging on the dCS (I dont know the filter chosen for sure, I believe Filter 3 was engaged?)



I never thought I would spend that much on a DAC...but to me the differences in performance were enough to order a Bartok, which should get here within the next 3-4 weeks.
I own the Lumin X1. I didn't audition the Bartok yet, but I have the quite the same impressions about my Lumin X1: Very detail mids, lowers to highers. The 3D / Holographic imaging is outstanding. I'm going to set an audition with a dealer soon and and let you know my impressions about the Bartok. My only worry: I'm pretty sure the dealer doesn't have my speakers (Focal Sacla), he uses some Sonus Faber for that kind of high end device.
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  #18  
Old 02-13-2019, 03:01 PM
FDPDK FDPDK is offline
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Vinci92 Welcome to the forum
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  #19  
Old 04-13-2019, 01:58 PM
thyname thyname is offline
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How is Bartók ‘s volume stage? Is it OK to run it directly to Amp with no Pre?
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  #20  
Old 04-13-2019, 04:45 PM
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Masterlu Masterlu is offline
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vinci92... Welcome to AA!
__________________
Ivan
FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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