BARTÓK APEX

DAC / Headphone DAC

EXPERIENCE BARTÓK

Meet the ultimate single-chassis playback system – offering a huge range of features, state-of-the-art components and a captivating sonic performance

About Bartók APEX

About Bartók APEX

About Bartók APEX

Bartók APEX combines five components – a DAC, Music Streamer, Upsampler, Pre-Amplifier and optional Headphone Amplifier – in a single chassis, offering a versatile all-in-one system for digital playback.

It utilises our unique Ring DAC APEX system, clocking architecture and digital processing platform to deliver a dynamic and lifelike sound where all details are revealed, and the full impact of a recording is laid bare. Sounds are clearly defined, and even the subtlest textures and nuances presented with remarkable clarity. 

Since its release, Bartók has earned global recognition for its expansive feature set and compelling sound, winning several awards for its sonic capabilities. A recent 2.0 software upgrade and the addition of our Ring DAC APEX hardware have further improved its performance, for an even more compelling and visceral playback experience.

APEX DAC

Our combined DAC, Music Streamer, Upsampler and Pre-Amplifier can be connected to a wide range of amplifiers and speakers, and supports digital playback from various sources.

View more features and specifications
APEX DAC

APEX DAC WITH
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Offers the same benefits and features as the Bartók APEX, plus an integrated Class A headphone amplifier for headphone listening.

View more features and specifications
APEX DAC WITH HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
Components
  • APEX DAC
  • APEX DAC WITH
    HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
View more features and specifications
APEX DAC

APEX DAC

Our combined DAC, Music Streamer, Upsampler and Pre-Amplifier can be connected to a wide range of amplifiers and speakers, and supports digital playback from various sources.

APEX DAC WITH HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

APEX DAC WITH
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Offers the same benefits and features as the Bartók APEX, plus an integrated Class A headphone amplifier for headphone listening.

Specifications, Manuals & Resources

SPECIFICATIONS

Bartók System Specification Sheet

DOWNLOAD PDF
USER MANUALS

Bartók DAC User Manual

DOWNLOAD PDF

Bartók Headphone DAC User Manual

DOWNLOAD PDF
RESOURCES

dCS - Ring DAC Explained

DOWNLOAD PDF

dCS - Expanse White Paper

DOWNLOAD PDF

dCS - Filtering Explained

DOWNLOAD PDF

dCS - Clocking Explained

DOWNLOAD PDF

Read Reviews,
Listen with Confidence.

"A triumph of naturalism and harmonic detail"


The Absolute Sound

"A sound as revealing as it is involving, with excellent scale and resolution"


hi-fi news

"A soundscape of unparalleled perfection"


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Bartók reviews
A UNIQUE DNA

A UNIQUE DNA

Bartók utilises several bespoke technologies that are unique to dCS, including our patented Ring DAC™ system, our custom clocking architecture and Digital Processing Platform. These technologies have been honed and refined over many years: drawing on decades of experience, our engineers have developed an approach that allows us to reduce noise and distortion to vanishing levels, and preserve all aspects of a musical signal, during playback – ensuring that listeners are able to hear the finest of details, and experience sound as the artist intended. The latest-generation Bartók benefits from some of our latest advancements in D-A conversion, featuring Ring DAC APEX hardware as standard.

DESIGNED, TESTED & ASSEMBLED IN THE UK

DESIGNED, TESTED & ASSEMBLED IN THE UK

All dCS products are designed, hand-assembled and tested at our Cambridgeshire headquarters. We use custom-built test equipment to check performance across all possible configurations, and conduct numerous inspections to ensure products are built to the highest standards. Performance is our number one focus and this informs each design decision we make – from the choice of materials, to the layout of internal components. Beyond this, we strive to create products that are built to last, and have a timeless appeal. We adopt a ground-up approach, developing our own bespoke technologies, hardware and software so that we can deliver the best possible sound for listeners…

ENGINEERED TO EVOLVE

ENGINEERED TO EVOLVE

Bartók utilises a flexible, modular framework that provides almost unlimited potential for upgrades – reflecting our focus on continued product development. Over the years, we have delivered major hardware and software updates to Bartók owners. These include 2.0, which brought new features and sonic improvements, plus the Ring DAC APEX, a major hardware upgrade for the dCS Ring DAC, which brings several benefits, from improved dynamics, rhythm and timing to enhanced resolution.

A UNIQUE DNA

A UNIQUE DNA

Bartók utilises several bespoke technologies that are unique to dCS, including our patented Ring DAC™ system, our custom clocking architecture and Digital Processing Platform. These technologies have been honed and refined over many years: drawing on decades of experience, our engineers have developed an approach that allows us to reduce noise and distortion to vanishing levels, and preserve all aspects of a musical signal, during playback – ensuring that listeners are able to hear the finest of details, and experience sound as the artist intended. The latest-generation Bartók benefits from some of our latest advancements in D-A conversion, featuring Ring DAC APEX hardware as standard.

DESIGNED, TESTED & ASSEMBLED IN THE UK

DESIGNED, TESTED & ASSEMBLED IN THE UK

All dCS products are designed, hand-assembled and tested at our Cambridgeshire headquarters. We use custom-built test equipment to check performance across all possible configurations, and conduct numerous inspections to ensure products are built to the highest standards. Performance is our number one focus and this informs each design decision we make – from the choice of materials, to the layout of internal components. Beyond this, we strive to create products that are built to last, and have a timeless appeal. We adopt a ground-up approach, developing our own bespoke technologies, hardware and software so that we can deliver the best possible sound for listeners…

ENGINEERED TO EVOLVE

ENGINEERED TO EVOLVE

Bartók utilises a flexible, modular framework that provides almost unlimited potential for upgrades – reflecting our focus on continued product development. Over the years, we have delivered major hardware and software updates to Bartók owners. These include 2.0, which brought new features and sonic improvements, plus the Ring DAC APEX, a major hardware upgrade for the dCS Ring DAC, which brings several benefits, from improved dynamics, rhythm and timing to enhanced resolution.

Bartók reflects our past, present and future. It distils decades of expertise and state-of-the-art technologies into a versatile all-in-one system that is designed to support myriad forms of digital playback. Its flexible design means it can continue to evolve, and deliver an outstanding sonic experience for years to come…

- David Steven,
Managing Director – dCS

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From The Edit

10/02/2023

Creating Bartók APEX

In our latest short film, we hear from David Steven, dCS’s Managing Director, Chris Hales, Director of Product Development and the driving force behind the APEX project, and Andy McHarg, dCS’s Technical Director.

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02/03/2022

APEX: A Closer Look

With the launch of our Ring DAC APEX hardware, we’ve been able to enhance the performance of the dCS Ring DAC and the musical expression of our Rossini, Vivaldi and Bartók systems. Here, we take a look at the development of APEX, and the various benefits it delivers for listeners

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18/08/2022

Bartók Masters: The Outsider

Bartók Masters: A series celebrating the work, histories & passions of music industry creators using dCS Bartók. Begins with The Outsider, following the world’s premier banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck.

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