dcs bartok vs DENAFRIPS TERMINATOR-PLUS

Just ordered the Bartok... Should arrive in the next week or so. I was also looking at the Terminator Pus....and getting the Giai Clock...

My dealer auditioned the Bartok against a Nagra DAC and my current Aurender A10...  The System was a pair of Wilson Sasha DAW's powered by a Gryphon Myphisto with $40k worth of connectors...

Oh My Goodness... We started at really low volume - The Bartok literally owned the audition with such superb definition, dynamics and detail. Even the bass at super low volume was all there - super tight - balanced - so easy to listen to as we increased volume. Never shrill... Sound Stage like I've never heard before.

So the Bartok is almost $13k with no headphone amp....and the Terminator was about $6k plus the clock was another $3k..? I can't remember...

So - We were not able to demo the Denifrips against the Bartok.... But Holy Sh&T - The Bartok stood it's ground so well....and those reviews... 

Good Luck..!

I have heard the Terminator II, PLUS and now 12th Anniversary along with the DCS Lina and Clock combo which is very similar to the Bartok.

There is no real winner between the PLUS or 12th Terminator and the DCS. The Denafrips will be about low noise, effortless musicality, incredible detail retrieval while staying somewhat low key and with some warmth as well. It’s what we think Analog should sound like.

The DCS is a little more forward but energetic. Music emerges further out from the speakers and has more life and zing, but it doesn’t have the depth of the Denafrips. A different presentation for sure but both are equally stunning when it comes to sound. Some will prefer the DCS for it’s enhanced energy (though it is never lean, always has body) and drive some will choose the Denafrips for its larger soundstage and richness.

No "better" here, just differences. The Lina is a streamer as well, with the Denafrips you will need a Streamer.

I can’t comment on the Bartok never heard or owned one. I have owned Terminator Plus for several years. Overall I think it’s damn good. Soundstage is huge and holographic. Midrange is smooth, neutral,  and realistic. Highs are airy and fast but  are quite laid back which is probably good match for my Kanta No3. The Kanta 3 aren’t bright all with this DAC, Emotiva differential amp, Denafirps Athena Pre-Amp.  The only negative to me is its little thin in bass compared to my cheaper Harmony Laiv DAC. Thin to me may be perfect and more technically accurate though. As far as flat response etc.   IDK. I just know when I had the Laive in this setup then switched to T + there was less visceral bass impact  in the chest. 

Can't speak to the DCS but I owned a Terminator Plus for several years and then moved to the MSB Reference DAC. A significant upgrade.  I'm now moving to MSB Cascade.  Hoping for another bump in SQ.  The TP is a great DAC but there are better.