The dCS Sound

Yeah. How do you describe the dCS sound? We’re gonna try…

Comprehensive, precise, but not at all analytical. Intriguing, exciting… These are words that come to mind for a moment.

But if we have to put it very simply: we are in love with the dCS Bartok. What a gorgeous device this is. Every song is another experience.

From the very first note it has been clear to us that we are dealing with the top in the industry. It’s just as simple as that. The whole set flips up one level with this dac/streamer/pre-amp. We’ve never heard the Focals play so bizarly transparent. As if we’re going from a stock lens on a decent film or photo camera to a Zeiss Milvus or even Otus. Greater contrast, more beautiful black… insight. The dCS puts music so convincingly that we really get the feeling to step into the soul of the artist.

That’s right: it sounds a little glum and sticky… but we’re trying to describe what we’re experiencing. And yes: that’s what loosens the soft side of us… apologies.

Single-minded

And the editor in question isn’t the only one who experiences it that way. Each and every one of them opens their eyes when the dCS is playing. “Very rich in detail, but also a pleasant warmth.” “What a space!” Just a few quotes. Some colleagues can only smile. And that’s probably the best reaction: just be quiet… enjoying the bubble of music.

Again

What the dCS achieves is a similar experience as with the Grimm LS1 be. That speaker keeps haunting me, too. The absolute wow effect. It’s hard to believe that such a step is possible. So much insight, so much extra experience when playing familiar songs.

What is most striking about the dCS Bartok is the extra space experience in the music. It is not immediately that the dCS knows how to reproduce more detail than the Metrum Acoustics Pavane. And also the Metrum makes the speakers disappear with the greatest ease. But there’s something extra with the dCS. And that’s mainly in experiencing and feeling the space. Getting the feeling you’re there.

And while the editor in question writes this, the Bartok forces him to put the laptop aside and listen. Aafke Romein is in the room. And then the Gorillaz… and it’s going to go on like this for a while… An hour has passed without even realizing it. Dangerous stuff like that dCS.

Headphone

We have listened to the dCS Bartok not only with the Focal Sopra No1, but also in combination with the brand new Focal Stellia (No, we are not Focal fanboys, but this came in the office at the same time as the dCS did). And after all, our model is equipped with the headphone amplifier (optional). The Stellia is a closed, high-end pair of headphones. The closed version of the Utopia to be precise.

The headphone amp gives a similar feeling to the Stellia. Particularly transparent, open, fast and engaging. Almost hypnotic. So you’ve been warned.