dCS Bartok versus MBS Discrete DACs?

[Ian B]

I have the DA2i in my main system. Yes it’s in a different league. You hear things you never knew existed. I’m an analog guy as you can see and saying this about digital speaks volumes about these DACs

Honestly, I think we may be at a point with DAC design where we are pushing up against only the limits of the recordings and digital formats themselves, and the original analog to digital converters used.

 

[Genesis168]

You are right. Look on the bright side. These Meitner/Emm DACs while not cheap easily compares and will outplay DACs many this its price.

 

[shawnf]

I've not liked Chord stuff I've used. Kind of goes farther than DCS into the cold and digital side of things. Though, more dynamic than DCS house sound.

@Ian B Same here and agree with your assessment. Owned a Chord Qutest and then a Dave for a few months. Fast and good with transients but too much on the colder side for my taste and too analytical-sounding for my system.

I listened to the Mola Mola Tambaqui for a while too. It seems like a better sounding version of the Dave with thicker midrange but still too lean and analytical for me.

To be fair, the Dave at this stage is probably pushing over 15 years old (?) so many other DACs could have caught up or surpassed it in terms of technical specs.