[crmiller]

You won't need to; Mapper 2 is the original mapping algorithm, while Mapper 1 and 3 are the new algorithms. So, it's very easy to do A/B comparison by just selecting the appropriate mappers during playback. The differences is very clear, at least on the Vivaldi and Rossini currently, and I assume will be on the Bartok as well.

This was my first thought after reading the release notes, but there are other changes in the firmware. Clearly, I don’t have a second Bartók available, so this is all I’ll be able to do, but it’s those other changes potential impact that made me think having a second Bartók would be what it takes to really A/B the changes. There were people discussing the impact of the last firmware update and dCS politely said they didn’t expect any audible differences in that set of changes.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading about Rossini 2.0 and the similar rollout that occurred for Rossini in about January 2019. It very much looks the same in announcement, release notes, etc. Release day can’t get here fast enough.

 

[Andrewteee]

Heads up -- new dCS headphone product coming very soon! "Allows music listening in a range of environments." So could this be a Chord Hugo 2-like transportable device? Yes, please!

Discover a new headfi experience from dCS​

 

[ThanatosVI]

Heads up -- new dCS headphone product coming very soon! "Allows music listening in a range of environments." So could this be a Chord Hugo 2-like transportable device? Yes, please!

Discover a new headfi experience from dCS​

Hell yeah, super hyped for that.
Always loved the dCS designs

 

[pippen99]

Maybe something along the lines of the A&K Acro CA1000?

 

[AndrewC88]

There were people discussing the impact of the last firmware update and dCS politely said they didn’t expect any audible differences in that set of changes.

dCS (James) actually said that theres no sound quality impact from that recent firmware update.

Those who claim to hear differences are imagining things.

 

[drc73rp]

Heads up -- new dCS headphone product coming very soon! "Allows music listening in a range of environments." So could this be a Chord Hugo 2-like transportable device? Yes, please!

Discover a new headfi experience from dCS​

Possibly a DAC-amp like a TT2, from the teaser a compact one hopefully powerful enough for the TC and Susvara with a trickle down DAC. One can only hope, we'll know in a few hours I guess.

 

[bluecar]

It'll be interesting to see the full product details. 'portability', or 'situational audio' is a rapidly evolving market. It's a well-served market as well, with multiple choices at various price points that delvier incredibly good audio. I love my Bartok, but I love my portable gear as well, and it would have to be astonishingly good ( or astonishingly cheap, which is...ahem.... unlikely ) to make me want to change out my A&K and Chord portables.

With the ultra-proliferation of high-end DAPs and dac/amp combos, it will be fun to see how dCS lever out some market share. Hopefully, it will be through 'bottling' the audio experience from the ring DAC and putting it in a portable box.

Looking forward ot the press anouncement - always fun when one of the 'big beasts' decides to try to eat someone elses lunch!!

 

[ajaipuriyar]

As long as we are guessing..... I think it's the headphone amp section of Bartok in a separate box with expanse.

In the video sceenshot below, we can see a volume control along with 2×3 pin xlr, 4 pin XLR and 3.5mm/6.5mm outputs.

The back also shows many input options.

I also don't see the space for a beefy transformer and hence probability of a portable..ish amp/dac is the highest.

I have a Vivaldi Stack ( and have sold my Headtrip Reference), so I am hoping there is an option of a pure headphone amp which can drive susvara and TC with good synergy with their dacs.

I will be hoping and dreaming till tomorrow.

 

[ThanatosVI]

As long as we are guessing..... I think it's the headphone amp section of Bartok in a separate box with expanse.

In the video sceenshot below, we can see a volume control along with 2×3 pin xlr, 4 pin XLR and 3.5mm/6.5mm outputs.

The back also shows many input options.

I also don't see the space for a beefy transformer and hence probability of a portable..ish amp/dac is the highest.

I have a Vivaldi Stack ( and have sold my Headtrip Reference), so I am hoping there is an option of a pure headphone amp which can drive susvara and TC with good synergy with their dacs.

I will be hoping and dreaming till tomorrow.

If that is the case the Rossini + this amp might be a very natural upgrade to the Bartok

 

[Andrewteee]

It'll be interesting to see the full product details. 'portability', or 'situational audio' is a rapidly evolving market. It's a well-served market as well, with multiple choices at various price points that delvier incredibly good audio. I love my Bartok, but I love my portable gear as well, and it would have to be astonishingly good ( or astonishingly cheap, which is...ahem.... unlikely ) to make me want to change out my A&K and Chord portables.

With the ultra-proliferation of high-end DAPs and dac/amp combos, it will be fun to see how dCS lever out some market share. Hopefully, it will be through 'bottling' the audio experience from the ring DAC and putting it in a portable box.

Looking forward ot the press anouncement - always fun when one of the 'big beasts' decides to try to eat someone elses lunch!!

@bluecar which Chord portable do you have?

I purchased a Fiio M17 to experiment with, my first DAP. I'm not sure I'm jiving with the whole Android thing. Thinking about a Hugo 2 instead; Roon Ready is also preferable (2GO). I'm looking for a "transportable" solution for traveling to take some hifi with me.

I'm doubting the new dCS product is battery powered; wishful thinking. My guess is it's more along the lines of a mini Bartok at a lower price point. From a marketing perspective that would make sense -- it can build on the brand awareness the Bartok has gained in the headfi community and make it more accessible. They claim it's a new line, so perhaps someday we'll see something portable.

Quite clever. Creating a new line expands dCS to a new generation of listeners. Their Ring DAC (and other) technology is fairly mature, and probably easily scaled down to less expensive models. Might also be interesting and exciting for dCS themselves to have a new, fresh focus.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

As long as we are guessing..... I think it's the headphone amp section of Bartok in a separate box with expanse.

In the video sceenshot below, we can see a volume control along with 2×3 pin xlr, 4 pin XLR and 3.5mm/6.5mm outputs.

The back also shows many input options.

I also don't see the space for a beefy transformer and hence probability of a portable..ish amp/dac is the highest.

I have a Vivaldi Stack ( and have sold my Headtrip Reference), so I am hoping there is an option of a pure headphone amp which can drive susvara and TC with good synergy with their dacs.

I will be hoping and dreaming till tomorrow.

Based on the interface design, this stuff should be standalone amplifier. I could be totally wrong ofc.

However, DCS famous for their DAC, so we can hope this product is a complete package DAC+Amp.

 

[bluecar]

@bluecar which Chord portable do you have?

Hugo, although I'm using the AK standalone more, now that I upgraded from a 120MkII to an SP1000M.

 

[ajaipuriyar]

DCS Lina it is.

3 components- streaming DAC, master clock and a headphone amp.

Amp- € 10.2K / £ 8400
DAC - €14.3 K / £11750
Clock- € 8.2K / £ 6750

Looks a lot like Naim products.

 

[lumdicks]

Looks not very impressive but should sound exceptionally!

 

[ThanatosVI]

Looks not very impressive but should sound exceptionally!

I like the looks, but it's 50% more expensive than the Bartok.

The stack + Spirit Torino Valkyria is ectremely close to a Sennheiser HE 1 already