2. digital
  3. 190867-191157

dCS Bartok Apex vs McIntosh DA2 - Trouble Hearing the Difference

I am currently playing a new set of Focal Scala Evos with a McIntosh MA9500, fed by a Wiim Pro playing Tidal Direct. This set up uses the McIntosh DA2, which sounds remarkable to my untrained ears. 

I borrowed a dCS Bartok Apex from my local dealer. Given that I can run balanced out (using Transparent Reference Gen 6 cables) to the MA9500, I can switch inputs to compare the DA2 & Wiim vs the Bartok (DAC & Streaming) very quickly. I level matched the best I could.

What I am confused about, though, is just how close the DA2 sounds to the Bartok. The most noticeable difference is how forward and prevalent vocals are with the DA2. They seem anchored to the center image and several feet more forward into the room, whereas in the Bartok they are a bit more recessed, and integrated into the rest of the music. The Bartok soundstage is also wider, but not shockingly so. The sound is definitely smoother or "rounder" with the Bartok as compared to the DA2. 

I admit I am relatively new to critical listening, but I think I expected the difference between the $20K Bartok and the built-in DA2 to be more profound. I'm not anxious to spend the money on the Bartok, but am willing to do if it is a significant step up, which I think it should be. 

So what am I missing? Am I perhaps limited by the MA9500? My dealer doesn't love autoformer-based Mc products, but many do, so I would have thought the MA9500 is sufficiently resolving. Room acoustics are not the best, but certainly not terrible. 

Interested in any thoughts or feedback.

ripordaff
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,342 posts
 

Room acoustics (untreated walls, tiled floors, etc.), overwhelming bass output (from subs or speakers) and speaker placement can affect how much difference you can perceive between components and cables. If room acoustics aren’t a concern, then..

When doing a comparison, based on my experience comparing DAC, don’t go flipping back and forth between inputs during one song. At a minimum listen to the entire song, make mental notes. Repeat the same with the other dac. 
Better yet, give yourself a whole day with dcs without listening to McIntosh inbuilt dac. Then switch over and listen to the same playlist. Give your brain more time to acclimate to one dac before switching. 
I heard a McIntosh DA1 dac and unless DA2 is some sort of a revelation, it can’t stand a chance against a better DAC, and it shouldn’t take dCS to beat it. 
 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,342 posts
 

Can you also post pictures of your setup in your virtual system page? It will add some more context. 

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,599 posts
 

It could be that your McIntosh integrated is applying the McIntosh house sound to the Bartok.  I'd discuss that with the dealer.

There could be many other reasons why the Bartok doesn't sound better, but as long as it doesn't, there's no reason to spend 20k on one.  As long as your system sounds remarkable to you just enjoy it and keep your money.

More to discover