dCS Bartok as a one box solution

Quite dull, not my experience. But agree that it fails to present music as a coherent whole. At least not as good as Naim.
As for MQA implementation, I don’t believe that Meridian doesn’t do better, because Meridian designer is behind MQA. Seems not logical.

It would be surprising if Bob Stuart clearly stated a vendor preference in promoting his cross-platform technology

It is a reasonable inference that a DAC which uniquely delivers matched temporal response with very low modulation noise is better than those which do not

DCS stands for Data Conversion Systems - originally a provider of ADCs and DACs to telcos and military systems.

Their stated goal is to make the most accurate dacs.

They are famous for excellent engineering, precision, accuracy, scientific rigour.

They are not famous for singleminded focus on sound quality and musical engagement.

Dcs cannot be focussed on SQ or musical engagement as they only make sources, and SQ is determined by the system.

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And we have an American colloquialism - TC - it stands for “thread crapping” (Richard D. please excuse my French)

This is a thread on the dCS Bartok. If you don’t like the product - fine - why TC on the thread and disparage others choices. I simply do not get the point.

After 20 years as a member of the Naim forum, and ownership of just about every one of their products, some members never cease to amaze me. I simply do not understand those who try to disparage others choice of gear. I understand the concept of bah…bah…bah and Naim sheep (as I said I have been here for 20 years) however I simply do not understand what these members are trying to achieve.

PS
At the beginning Linn ONLY made sources - their only product the LP12.

“Their stated goal is to make the most accurate turntable.
They are famous for excellent engineering, precision, accuracy, scientific rigour.
They are not famous for singleminded focus on sound quality and musical engagement.
Linn cannot be focussed on SQ or musical engagement as they only make sources, and SQ is determined by the system.”

Right…sure

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Thanks for your interesting reply.

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I did not intend to shoot anyone and I am sorry if I gave that impression. I was simply asking a question about a statement I found intriguing.

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hahahahaha :laughing: btw don’t use ATC speakers without their decks :thinking:

Gregg its a naim forum what do you expect lol, its by far the worst forum i visit for, lets use that term sheep. It does have some great guys on here, that are very helpful, and full of info, but it also has the naim is the only way guys, and nothing else can even get close, let alone be better, even if i have never tried it.

Like you i have been a Naim owner for well over 20 years, and like you i still am, its just that like you i found something else that i preferred, just like i did on the headphone amp, etc, but i haven’t found anything to displace my 500dr and 552dr yet, but i might one day.

Back on thread
The DCS Bartok is a fantastic dac and streamer, at £10k, i dont think its far away from the ND555, both have slightly different sounds, but when you sit down and compare the Bartok against say the ND555, or even the NDX2 and 555dr power supply, the Bartok is great valve, and offers a one box great solution, that if you wish can be upgraded by adding the clock, plus you have the advantage knowing that DCS will be updating the dac software at some point, so that the Bartok will sound even better, for no extra cost.

I have said it a few times, if you are looking for a new dac, then why not try the Bartok or even rossini, what have you to lose in looking outside ?

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Hi Nemo
No worries as my post was not intended for you.
It was intended for others (plural).
Have fun listening.

Best
Gregg

Hi Dunc
Yes unfortunately in over 20 years of forum participation I have run into a few that feel they are in battle and need to “defend” the Salisbury green until the bitter end. Fortunately, however, the majority of members are open minded and willing to listen and own other makes and brands and are welcomingly open to other points of view. I remember back in the day (now I am dating myself) when digital was getting started and Naim did not have any digital DACS’s. There were the Lavry wars with many forum members writing about that DAC and the bah…bah crowd defending Naim to the bitter end - even though there was no digital product to defend :laughing:.

Once again kudos to Richard, and Adam before him, for doing such a great job keeping the forum open and allowing discussion of other brands. While my 552 and 500 remain, and even though I have abandoned my CD5-CDX2-CDS3-CD555-Stageline and Superline for other sources, my heart secretly always beats green. I recently embarked on a nostalgia trip and am in the process of setting up a second system with a Nait2 acquired last year fronting my original pair of ProAc SuperTablettes. After Chris West and AV Options sprinkled some Salisbury pixie dust on the rebuild (he brought over a bucket when he emigrated here back in the day) I seriously giggle and ask how it is possible for a system to sound that good. And how amazing it is that parts are available from the factory allowing these to be fully restored and remain competitive 30 years later.

Best
Gregg

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You received 2 replies from people who just prefer Naim source vs DCS.
Is it so hard to understand? Why write infinitely that we are not opened mind ?
Jim has bought a DCS network bridge and sold it.
I have listened 4 times to DCS sources and for now, I still prefer the Naim source.
Have listened to Linn KDSM, Chord Dave, Ps direct stream, Devialet, Eera reference , Audiomat, since 2 last years.
Audiomat and Linn retained my attention.

Once month ago I compared Lumin X1 vs Nd555. Lumin was more resolving, better on vocals, but I preferred globally the Naim.
Don’t think to be closed minded.

And I am oh so happy that you have an open mind!
Enjoy your listening!

Best
Gregg

PS - oh - by the way - no need to “write infinitely” and bash other people’s brands

joyeux Noël e bonne année
and with that I suggest in the holiday spirit we give this a rest

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I was not bashing. It’s only your interpretation, perhaps a bit restrictive.
I was just trying to explain that I don’t agree with the « superiority « term.
Just that.
I would be so happy, because you seem to pay attention to my happiness, that we end now that sterile and endless discussion.
Can we?

Nice ! That sounds like a fun little system.

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We most certainly can.
Please carefully read my above post where I wrote:

“joyeux Noël e bonne année
and with that I suggest in the holiday spirit we give this a rest”

All the best to you and your family
and please eat some pot -au -feu for me this joyous coming new year - I miss my favorite Brasserie Lipp
enjoy the music!

I thought Lipp makes only « choucroute « .
Apparently, with a strong probability, restaurants will not open soon here.
Maybe March, April, some say.
Happy Christmas time too!

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James
When my wife sees the smile on my face while I listen to the Nait2 and ProAcs she questions why I have spent more than 20 years working my way up to a 552/500 system. A certain part of me wonders the same :laughing:

I am planning on making a new thread on the matter as for now I am running the “ultimate in reverse mullet system” - my $1000 Nait2 is being fronted by a $25k Linn Klimax DS! It is only temporary as it cannot continue down that line :smirk:

I am investigating reasonably priced sources and think I have settled on pursuing a Chord Qutest. It is small and will fit well next to the Nait. I have considered a Naim DAC-V1 however they are not easy to find here - and I do have some concerns with it. It would be great if Naim could make a shoe box sized DAC which I could pair with the Nait.

Best
Gregg

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Yes - that is their strength however in the late 80’s when I was frequently traveling to Paris they sometimes offered it on special occasions. That and a starter of Baltic marinated herring and potato salad with vinaigrette. Oh my my mouth is watering.

Is Pan Poilane still around? Michel Rostang?

The network bridge was designed for older DCS owners to get the advantages in streaming over what they had, without having to upgrade the rest of their kit.
It just so happens to be a great network streamer, that others have also used on kit to gain the same advantages, the real sound upgrade comes from when you tie this in with a DCS dac, more so than others, as its designed to work with a DCS products in mind.
Jim sold it as he felt he didn’t need it any more, fine, but he also stated i believe that the NB worked fine without any necessary switch etc, and we all know how big that rabbit hole can be and cost, which shows how much more capable a streamer it is over the one in the naim. But i can go with Jim, on swapping it for a 555ps to go with his 272, as being money better invested for sound on his system right now.

But come on lets just leave it, as its getting tiresome really and leave the thread to its original question
DCS BARTOK AS A ONE BOX SOLUTION
my answer to this question is its a great one box solution thats very hard to beat, unless you go rossini or vivaldi

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Pain Poilane is my favourite for « croque madame « with salad. Easy to cook and so good. With « fromage de chèvre « too.
Michel Rostand restaurant is still open, outside COVID closing.