The dCS Bartók APEX DAC Headphone Amplifier is a top-tier integrated digital music player, featuring the advanced dCS Ring DAC™ APEX hardware. This latest iteration significantly enhances linearity, reduces distortion, and lowers noise, delivering a more dynamic, detailed, and immersive musical experience. A key differentiator is its integrated, custom-designed Class A headphone amplifier, capable of driving a wide range of headphones via balanced (4-pin XLR) and unbalanced (6.35mm) outputs. It includes dCS Expanse technology to optimize headphone listening, creating a natural, out-of-head soundstage.

As a versatile network streamer, it’s Roon Ready and provides seamless access to services like TIDAL and Qobuz. It supports high-resolution PCM up to 24 bit/384 kHz and DSD128, with full MQA decoding. A comprehensive suite of digital inputs (USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, optical) ensures broad connectivity. With high-quality digital volume control and flexible analog outputs, it can also function as a digital pre-amplifier for speaker systems. Housed in a robust chassis with isolated power supplies, the Bartók APEX delivers unparalleled audio fidelity.

-Latest generation dCS Digital Processing Platform brings state-of-the-art signal processing and flexibility
-dCS Ring DAC™ fitted, as used in the dCS Vivaldi digital playback system
-High-quality streaming from TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer and internet radio via the dCS Mosaic Control app
-Roon Ready, AirPlay, Spotify Connect and UPnP compatible
-USB, AES, Dual AES and S/PDIF digital audio inputs
-Headphone amplifier with balanced and unbalanced outputs, suitable for high and low impedance headphones
-Accepts encrypted SACD data from dCS Transports via Dual AES inputs. Oversampling design with switchable DSD upsampling; user---selectable PCM and DSD filters
-Multi-stage DXD oversampling design with switchable DSD upsampling; user-selectable PCM and DSD filters
-Auto clocking system improves ease of use and minimizes jitter
-Multi-stage power regulation and twin mains transformers to isolate the DAC section from the headphone amplifier
-Firmware-upgradeable for future functionality and performance upgrades

Type
Upsampling Network DAC with Headphone Amplifier
Color
Silver or Black
Dimensions
444mm / 17.5” x 430mm / 17.0” x 115mm / 4.6“. Allow extra depth for cable connectors
Weight
16.7kg / 36.8lbs
Converter Type
dCS proprietary Ring DAC™ topology

Digital Inputs
Ethernet network port on RJ45 connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DFF/DSF format; USB 2.0 interface on B-type connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DoP format; USB On-The-Go interface on A-type connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD128 in DFF/DSF format; 2 x AES/EBU inputs on 3-pin female XLR connectors, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format; 1 x Dual AES pair, accepts 24-bit 88.2 – 384kS/s PCM, DSD/64 & DSD/128 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF on RCA Phono connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF on BNC connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 192kS/s PCM & DSD/64 in DoP format; 1 x SPDIF optical on TOSLINK connector, accepts 24-bit 44.1 – 96kS/s PCM

Analogue Outputs
1 x pair balanced outputs on 2 x XLR connectors. Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedance: 3Ω. Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended); 1 x pair unbalanced outputs on 2 x RCA connectors. Output levels: 0.2V, 0.6V, 2V, 6V rms for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Output impedance: 52Ω. Maximum load: 600Ω (10k-100kΩ is recommended)

Headphone Outputs
1 x stereo balanced output 4-pin male XLR connector; 1 x stereo unbalanced output on 6.35mm (1/4”) 3-pole jack. Full-scale output levels: 1.4W rms into 33Ω, 0.15W rms into 300Ω. Minimum headphone impedance: 33Ω

Wordclock I/O
2 x Word Clock Inputs on 2 x BNC connectors, accept standard Word Clock at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz. The data rate can be the same as the clock rate or an exact multiple of the clock rate. Sensitive to TTL levels. 1 x Word Clock Output on 1x BNC connector. With Sync Mode set to Master, a TTL-compatible Word Clock is output

MQA
Full decoding and rendering of MQA data from the Network and USB2 inputs. Final rendering of unfolded MQA data only from the other inputs
Residual Noise
24-bit data: Better than –113dB0, 20Hz - 20kHz unweighted (6V output setting)

L R Crosstalk
Better than -115dB0, 20Hz – 20kHz

Spurious Responses
Better than -105dB0, 20Hz – 20kHz

Filters
PCM mode: up to 6 filters give different trade-offs between the Nyquist image rejection and the phase response. DSD mode: 4 filters progressively reduce out-of-audio band noise level

Conversions
DXD as standard or optional DSD upsampling

Software Updates
Download and update functionality available via dCS Mosaic Control app

Local Control
dCS Mosaic Control app for unit configuration and playback. RS232 interface (controlled by a 3rd party automation system). dCS Universal Remote is available as an optional extra

Power Supply
Factory set to either 100, 115/120, 220 or 230/240V AC 50/60Hz

Power Consumption
30 Watts typical / 50 Watts maximum

Orders ship Sunday through Friday from our offices in Dubai, UAE.

In-stock products typically ship within 48 hours and should be expected to arrive in 3-4 business days. Orders outside of the UAE should be expected to arrive in 5-7 business days.

Pre-order and backorder products will state the approximate delivery timeline beside the Add To Cart button.

If you would like to place a custom order, chat with our specialists for a guided shopping experience. Once your order has been placed, a timeline will be provided depending on your order details.

- Free delivery within the UAE
- Shipping charges will be calculated upon checkout for orders outside of the UAE (Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia & Qatar).
- Taxes and duties are calculated according to the applicable laws of the state or country an item is shipped to and are the customer's responsibility.

For additional information on shipping and our exchange & return policy visit our help center.

Installation charges are applicable and can be paid upon delivery for our clients based in Dubai.

- Installation Charges: AED 450 Per Hour
- Speaker Cables: AED 32 Per Meter
- Trunking: AED 10 Per Meter

For clients based outside of the UAE, please contact our specialists and we will share an estimate based on your requirements.