Can you also post pictures of your setup in your virtual system page? It will add some more context.
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.
Showing 5 responses by audphile1
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. |
@ripordaff awesome room man! With that said, those chairs blocking the speakers are a potential problem. That could be contributing to why you don’t hear the difference in DACs. But the main reason is you’re not giving yourself enough time to acclimate with dcs before you switch back to DA2. Also, and this will probably ruffle some feathers, that McIntosh amp is not on the level of your speakers. You’re not realizing the full potential of the Focals. Amplifier is an extremely close second in contributing to the final presentation to the speakers, if not as equally important. |
Either the DA2 module is just simply phenomenal or McIntosh preamps and integrated amps homogenize the sound due to lack of transparency to such degree that all DACs connected to the McIntosh components sound the same. I’m starting to suspect it’s the latter. If your preference is for this kind of approach and you’re satisfied, good for you! |
@jeffreyw I wouldn’t doubt you for a second. However I’ve owned preamps and amps of various degrees of transparency and I’ve heard it first hand how an amp or preamp can diminish the differences between changes in upstream components or cables. Anything is possible in this hobby. All part of the fun! |