CORRECTION: The Bartok cannot accept a 10Mhz clock input, it only accepts word clock inputs

I’m only watching this review because DCS’s lawyers brought it to my attention.

If the manufacturer had not threaten with a lawsuit, I would not know this video existed. Because of what they are doing, their brand’s reputation just tanked. They took out the hull plug on their sinking ship. Now, no one wants to touch the brand.

Imagine if dCS did something stupid like trying to sue over this video…that would be incredibly stupid

I'm downloading this video in case it goes missing as part of the crummy legal action. Streisand Effect at its finest, well done dCS...

Thank you dCS for saving me the time and energy to never consider a dCS product. I could have still considered a dCS product in spite of the Golden Sound review because that is just one person's point-of-view and anyone looking to spend that level of money would hardly be basing a purchase decision on just one review by one person, but now that the entire dCS corporation has exposed your petty annoyance and acted in such a hyperbolic way--I am completely convinced dCS products are not for me. Again, thank you dCS for saving me the trouble.

Nice to see an open genuine review and you sticking to your opinion on how it sounds. But any company that threatens legal action against a reviewer needs to be avoided, its a clear red flag.

Will never purchase their products... this company doesn't accept negative reviews.. how can they be trusted... ?

This guy: "This product is high quality, but i don't like the sound" dCS: "THAT IS ILLEGAL"

As a reviewer I 100% support your decision to not remove this video. If the day ever comes when reviewers have to be afraid of retaliation for giving a negative review. That will be the end of honest and fair reviews, and the end of reviewers having any credibility. I have not personally heard any DCS equipment, and therefor have no opinion, but now have no intension of reviewing anything from them in the future. In my opinion DCS has done far more damage to their reputation than a less than positive review could have ever done.

The Streisand Effect hits again.

I probably would not have seen this review, thanks DCS for prompting me to watch this review, PROPS for making my gear choices a bit simpler! To GoldenSound, your integrity is appreciated and noted! DCS, your bully tactics are unacceptable!

Thanks DCS legal firm and VP of marketing and sales to bring me to a review of a product that mirrors your degree of care to business partners!

Very brave of you to offer such a verdict on a product from DCS, a truly world class company. For what it's worth, your verdict aligns perfectly with my impressions when I auditioned a number of expensive DACS & streamers to replace a Naim CDS3 cd player. I described the Bartok as being the best player of elevator music that I have ever heard. Music was beautifully smooth, refined, inoffensive and incapable of retaining our attention. All this in the context of a high end system with Innuos Statement server, Naim 500 series electronics and expensive Focal, Wilson & Kudos loudspeakers. By way of contrast, the Naim ND555, DCS Rossini (with external clock) and Chord DAVE (but only with M Scaler) all seemed to replay engaging music very well indeed, albeit each with its own character and strengths. N.B. my auditions were conducted before the APEX upgrade, so the Bartok may be materially more engaging now. Thank you for a super review.

I don’t know that the softness would have stopped me buying one, but dCS threatening legal action certainly does.

I hadn't watched this video previously, but due to the commotion surrounding dCS attempts to squelch a reviewers opinions I felt compelled to watch it wherein I probably would not have watched had they not leveraged a lawsuit against a reviewer.

Great review! Really appreciate it! It helped me with making the right decision.

Guess which poor priest will NEVER be buying a dCS product, Cameron?

Thanks dCS lawyers, I watch this because *YOU* created a Streisand Effect on your company and its products! *YOU* also made every honest reviewer cautious about reviewing your products on the future, ensuring less reviews thus less visibility for them and your company.

dCS will now be known as "dis Company Suicided"

Sensational review, absolute credit to you for speaking your mind on exactly how the Bartok sounds to you. Takes an awful lot of courage to talk down a piece of HiFi equipment, especially from dcs, but no other HiFi reviewer I’ve come across is prepared to offer anything other than good reviews for every product they get in their house. Subscribed and looking for more from you 🎉

Pretty funny how I've never been in the audiophile space before, but now dCS has brought me here. I wonder if they realize what they've done

Watched to spite dcs litigious management and liked video. Added to the Tekton no fly list. Keep doing your thing . So eloquent

Given that most people can barely notice the difference between a cheap and expensive DAC for 15 Grand you'd want it to be absolutely flawless. From an electronics point of view: you're dealing with massive diminished returns above maybe a grand worth of components. Time for DCs to learn what the Streisand effect is.

Imagine wanting to sue a reviewer to bully them into changing their opinion, but absolutely Streisand-ing yourself instead.

Man, all the butthurt because of this review... I think Goldensound clearly stated that he doesn't think the Bartok compares well in comparison to some other TOTL, and lesser DACs. In the end, that's his opinion, and he's clearly stated that - if you have the Bartok, and you like it - good for you, ride off into the sunset and be done with it. Everyone else, who does not own this DAC, now gets the benefit of having heard another opinion, and they can draw their own conclusions. Keep doing what you're doing Goldensound - we appreciate it very much.

Good going with the Streisand effect, dCS. I would have had no idea you existed until you threw a tantrum.

Thank you to dCS for helping me find this channel, and this review. Would likely never have seen it if it weren't for dCS trying to bully this channel now. Good work people. This will hopefully cost you dearly.

So this is Barbra Streisand's house, wow neat.

I know I talked about the testing of this DAC for quite a while, and likely should have discussed the sound at greater length. But honestly I was simply frustrated that a product this expensive delivered such a mediocre result. Listening to something that isn't enjoyable...well...isn't enjoyable so I don't really want to spend more time than is needed doing so. But I wanted to make clear that I'd given it every possible chance and tested in every situation I could, thinking that a device of this expense at least deserves more thorough testing to quash any doubts, hoping that something was simply wrong or it just needed a bit of help with system synergy. But unfortunately that wasn't the case.

I figured I'd check out the review myself to check out the tone, and I'm appalled (but not surprised) a thin-skinned manufacturer would have a problem with this perfectly reasonable review. There are some beefs, some bouquets, and a clear and considered opinion, all stated with class. Sorry youre going through the legal b.s., sir!

Don’t let dCS bully you! Well done, they are off my list for products

Interesting review. I do love my Holo Audio May KTE DAC for 2 years. It performs great with my PASS LABS equipment! Your review on the May was spot on, that's one of the reasons why I purchased the May.

I had always heard great things about dcs and had held them in high regard-until I found out this review exists because they threatened a lawsuit. Very glad to have one less brand to compare against now, so thank you for making the decision easy, dcs.

Man you are probably the only reviewer in yt that systematically compare end-game dacs. Really looking forward to your Bricasti dac reviews if you are planning to do it!

Streisand Effect in full force, let's pump the views and likes folks!!!!!!!

Hey dude, I just wanted to say, I think you are hands down not only one of the best audio/hifi KZfaqrs, but one of the best "KZfaqrs" right now. As someone who makes videos, and who has developed a sort of design philosophy through the years of doing so, (which in essence is "less is more") your channel screams this. You do mini B-roll clips, and to the critical eye, you can tell you don't have a $1500 dollar camera, but you did it anyways, and it works just as well. The way you structure your videos visually and narratively is absolute S tier. Everything feels thought out, meshed together, and relevant. Giant fan of what you are doing.

Hearing you describe the minute differences in such high-end (and high-priced) equipment -- for someone that never had the luxury or spare cash to try such things -- is fascinating, but not entirely relatable. Would you consider doing a video on what to listen for, how to train one's hearing, or possibly some neat tricks to A/B test with lesser equipment, with the goal that more people can begin to hear what you are hearing?

Here because of the lawsuit, very poor form DCS PS I never even clicked on this before

I think the box it's in is ugly. Should I be worried now?

This review is so well balanced and fair.. totally bizarre a company wouldn’t just fix those issues rather than suing is beyond me

I love the sound from my Apple AirPod Pro’s. I guess I am definitely not a prospective dCS customer. 😄

I owned a dCS stack worth $35K and changed to a cheap $200 DAC and got better sound. What the dCS did was make everything softer and more veiled. Furthermore, the upsampling processors added noise into the sound. The $200 DAC sounded more transparent like real life, and without the noise. It was a simple minimalist DAC that didn't add anything to the sound. It all has to do with what flavor of sound you prefer. More expensive doesn't result in better sound, in my experience it gives worse sound the more you pay. But that's because I prefer to hear sound without any colorations. The sound flavor can always be tuned using tweaks later for a much lower cost. What I found was that electronics and cables only change the sound to another flavor. True improvements can only be had from vibration control. I was able to improve my dCS Elgar Plus DAC by magnetic levitation and placing 100 lbs of weight on top. The background became very black with new inner details being revealed. But you can do the same with any DAC and get the same sound. With the same vibration control, all DACs eventually sound the same. So, it's wiser to spend less money on electronics and more on vibration control.

That sheet metal back panel with holes punched out is simply sublime! Especially the slightly crooked USB. SUPERLATIVE!!

Had to look up the 'Streisand effect' as I hadn’t heard of it until I visited this site. The commentator is saying 'fifteen grand' for this piece of equipment. Personally, I didn’t realise one could spend that kind of money on a piece of hifi equipment so I have leant two things today. I’m glad that the reviewer is getting all of this support. Seems like the right thing to do by watching this review to the end, even if you are not in the market for the unit.

I'd never heard of your channel or dCS before this whole lawsuit thing, but I decided the least I could do was to show up and watch the entire video - and post this comment - to give it a boost.

I would not normally watch a review such as this. £1500 is far more than I would consider investing on a DAC. My 3rd of the price Terminator, serves me well. But, when I became aware of a potential law suit being issued, I decided to watch this video. I applaud you for your honesty in this review and the balls to state your honest opinion unreservedly. I believe that is the best approach and should be encouraged. Keep up the good work and I note from the comments how much support you have 👍🍻

Thank you for sharing. Heard about the lawsuit, I will never buy any DCS product regardless how good review they would get.

Fascinating. I reviewed the Bartók, and A/B'd it with the Mola Mola Tambaqui, which I also reviewed. I found them both to be fantastic, and I actually found the dCS to offer the best digital sound I've ever heard. Does not detract for a second from your findings - it's just interesting how differently we each found the Bartók to sound. I appreciate your reviews and due diligence - keep up the good work!

I saw your Bartok review a few months ago after two of my audiophile friends whose ears I trust got a loaner from a friend of theirs. Simple story, they auditioned the Bartok at their system. I wanted to listen but they had to return the Bartok to its owner. But they gave me a summarized impression. Too smooth. It's so smooth it's lacking details, texture and excitement. Trusting their judgment, but being a little curious if not skeptical, I research Bartok review. Your review confirmed their conclusions. You nailed it. For context, the Bartok was compared to Mola Mola Tambaqui and Bricasti M1 DACs.

Thanks for being honest and true to your opinions.

When you want to like a product but you really don’t. Excellent review.

I only came to this video because of the recent controversy. I have to congratulate you on an outstanding review, way better than most other YT audio reviewers who produce bland, self serving rubbish (naming no names). I really enjoyed your candour, knowledge, and clear opinions. It is simply that I disagree. I own a dCS Rossini, not a Bartok, but I assume similar audio signature. While selecting dCS I listened to many DACs, including some of the ones you also mention in your review. I was listening on speakers, not headphones. And I have never found dCS to be overly "smooth" or lacking dynamics. Maybe by comparison, I found some of the others DACs to sound a bit "digital" and lacking emotion which is not my taste. And here lies the rub. With subjective reviews, they are by definition, highly personal. I am very interested to hear your take, but it is not mine and I will follow my own ears when selecting a DAC for me! Thanks again for doing the review though and it is such a shame you have had to endure the wroth of a loose cannon US-based VP who appears to have gone rogue. My own experience of the people at dCS has been nothing but the most highly professional, knowledgeable, even likeable team so I think something went badly wrong for you which is a great pity as I could really see you getting along with their engineers who all know their bits and bytes.

I don't always agree with you on your opinions but was happy to get your input on this DCS. I am on edge about getting an all-in-one box like this or possibly getting separate components. What's amazing to me is how many POSITIVE reviews are on KZfaq and other Audio websites regarding how good the sound is on the Bartok. This just goes to show how divided the audiophile community can be when listening to hi-fi gear! I'm going to CanJam in February so I will make up my own mind, however I'm leaning on getting separate components more and more!

So glad I found you! I've been enjoying headphone and DAC reviews over the past year on YT but most people reviewing high end equipment don't know the proper musical descriptive terms, or atleast how to use them properly. I get it, I was the stoner in band class but I ended up working in a studio in college majoring in theory. Definitely subscribing.

Dude you are the goat of audio reviewers

As always, a well crafted, informative and brutally honest review. So many out there are swayed by magazine reviews or by supposed manufacturer reputation sold to them by high end dealers. Clearly, far too many do not properly use their ears to judge but allow themselves to be convinced by biased reviews or opinions. Like with the same opinion as yourself regarding MQA, you're the one KZfaq reviewer whom I trust. Keep up the great work !

Thanks! I like honest reviews. After this I have narrowed it down to the May if I check out the Mola Mola Tambaqui and it doesn't blow me away. If you get chance to rev the Mola Mola let us know..

Good luck to the creator this is one way to highlight something you did not want to show and he has a right to his opinion PERIOD . I hope this goes viral

I’m surprised at the number of people in the audiophile community that have on various forums decided your review is anathema to them! I used to own a dCS Elgar, an ancestor of the Bartok, and everything you said made perfect sense. In fact, part of me read or watched other reviews and hoped that I might put the Bartok on my ‘aspirational’ list, that the dull sound characteristics of the Elgar were no more and it’s’ strengths built upon; but no. I doubt I’ll need to hear one to confirm it’s just a more competent version of my old Elgar, I won’t like it for the same reasons as you, and there’s no point. Thanks for your honest and informative review!!

I am watching this in response to dCS threatening legal action to the “defamation” accusations for this review. This review was absolutely fair. It was critical of the product and its flaws, but *good reviews are critical.* That being said, this review was also critical of other products that were mentioned and compared. The fact that dCS threatened *legal action* on this review baffles me. In doing so, they have effectively absolutely destroyed any good reputation they had with informed consumers by doing so. dCS, if you don’t like the criticisms, make a better product. Oh, and treat those reviewing your products with proper decency and respect. You are *nothing* as a company if no one buys your shit.

This review is definitely ruffling some feathers on other sites!

I'm not even that into audiophile gear I'm just watching this for spite.

Thank you for the great review.

Basically, what you're saying is that playing back natural sounds you like it, electronic not so much. I tend to agree with this review, and I'm saying this as someone who listens to mainly classical, jazz and some rock using a dCS Vivaldi stack. I understand that someone who'll listen to electronic music, amplified instruments, synthetic etc. with perhaps some sounds of nature, such as a human voice (again, with artificial reverberation added etc.) mixed in, with instruments and voices artificially placed in the stereo "soundstage", might look for more "bite". You aren't looking for a DAC that'll reproduce, but "create" sound according to personal preference. The Chord Dave that you appear to like is an excellent example: with or without Scaler, it'll make anything sound artificial, and yet, that's a DAC that appears to be to your liking. To me the Chord is an awful lot of money as it can't make a voice sound like a voice, or a piano like a piano etc. I used to be an avid concertgoer before the pandemic, which is the reason I got the Vivaldi after listening to so many alternatives, as my priorities are different: I'm not comparing gear to gear. I want this "You are there" feeling of being in the presence of the live act, not sound tailored to one listener type's liking versus someone else's. Admittedly, the net result of a DAC that doesn't "add more" than to offer realism as best such a device can, may sound sober with some modern recordings, in particular ones heavily tinkered with during recording and mastering, but then, it'll really draw the listener into the music emotionally with music based on real voices, instruments, sounds of nature etc.

I’m trying to understand how $15k components that are supposed to be incredibly accurate can introduce differences in TIMBRE?! If you’ve got a piece altering a signal that much it’s junk, I don’t care what it costs And screw them with the lawsuit bs, garbage move. Stay strong, your opinion is your opinion and you have every right to express it

What an insightful impartial review, thank you for your diligent work. Educating and entertaining.

You should do another review with the 2.0 update. It changes the whole softness issue. I’d love to see you revisit this DAC. Thanks mate 🤙🏼

Streisand effect baby

dCS lawyer-ing up has made me come and watch

Thank you for an honest review.

I guess dCS has never heard of the Streisand effect.

Didn't knew this existed, now it's certainly on the black list and boycott and shamed forever, great job DCS! 🤣

dCS lawyers brought me here.

Only here because of DCS lawyers

Wow, and to think I almost dropped 20k on this unit. Thank you for your honesty and this review.

I will NEVER buy a DCS product after seeing their terrible character. Complete garbage company. I hope they learn their lesson from all this.

I am done with dCS! This product was the last straw for me!

Bartol is THE BEST dac/amp I ever hard in my life, and I did many, many..... Never tried it via external system, though, but only with headphones such are HD 800s and Focal Utopia.

‘Everything is second to none …’ @0:29 Shows the ‘r’ missing from the silkscreened Power legend.

I will never buy any DCs product after their threat to sue the headphone show for an unfavorable review. I recommend the same to everyone. Do NOT support companies that address bad press with lawsuits.

"The dCS Bartok is a high end DAC with absolutely stunning build quality and features that make other DACs feel primitive by comparison.” dCS: let´s sue this guy!

Luckily there are lots of other brands out there with amazing sounding DACs like Mytek, Benchmark, Apogee, RME for a fraction of the price. And most importantly you won't get sued if you don't like them.

I own an Arcam CD92, an inexpensive and early dCS ring DAC implementation. I like it, because similarly to my Chord Hugo TT, both are a different solution to mainstream DACs. Well done on standing firm, despite the situation, your reviews will have one extra consumer.

Great job dude, keep up good work💪

Hey dCS, ever heard of the Streisand effect?

I'd be interested in seeing time-domain measurements (eg., step response) from DACs. I wonder if that would help us understand the softness of this product.

This was refreshing.

holy crap welcome back GS... thought this channel went dormant.

Not a brand I would ever consider. -"I am neither your mommy nor your therapist".

So I'm just here doing my part to spread the word, saw the other videos too. Keep fighting the good fight!

DCS probably thinks their sales have been hit because of this review, when in fact they are down because they made an inferior product.

It would be better if dCS would think about how they make a better sounding DAC in China for $150, rather than threatening to sue an independent channel for a subjective opinion. And if they can't take negative criticism, then stop giving independent testers products, settle for those who are paid handsomely to give good ratings.

thank you for great review

I didn't think much of this review in a negative light as I still liked the build quality of their products when I watched it 2 years back, but after the attention from the recent events, I realize that I will never put my money to this brand and consider another one for my summit fi setup

You’re not the only one. I demoed this dac about 6 weeks ago and I wasn’t sold on it at all. Felt a little flat for me. I ended up getting a DAVE + M Scaler. And just to add, I posted this comment right at the moment you started to say you didn’t like it. We literally shared the same experience.

This is a really interesting review of a DAC. Having been an electronics engineer 20 years ago, we use to read reviews like this in magazines. Now there is audio (KZfaq compressed obviously) and video of the product. Anyway, dCS filtered the digital signal too much and that is a designed electronics issue. They should go back to the drawing board. Personally, I think this is good for them to go back and build their DACs like the way Bugattis are built. Blank slate, all the time.

Negative reviews are controversial. My grandmother said, “If you can’t say anything nice [about a person] don’t say anything at all.” Many reviewers don’t offer negative reviews as a matter of policy; often they refuse to review products. Other reviewers are more subtle, damning with faint praise, or sowing doubt by reporting ‘anomalies’ found during testing, or raising questions about value for money. In other words, it is possible to write a discouraging review without being ‘negative’; but it is not easy task.

Heard one of these with a pair of HE1000 & it was by far the finest traditional headphone experience I have ever heard.

FINALLY! Something I can listen to Skrillex on the HD800