Description: Streaming digital-to-analog converter with headphone amplifier. Digital inputs: Network interface on RJ45 connector—acts as UPnP renderer in asynchronous mode, decoding all major lossless formats including FLAC, WAV, & AIFF at up to 24-bit 384kHz native sample rate, plus DSD64 & DSD128 in DFF/DSF format. Other formats include ALAC, MP3, & AAC. Some formats are limited to lower sample rates. Supports Apple AirPlay at 44.1 or 48kHz. USB 2.0 interface on a B-type connector operating in Asynchronous mode, will accept up to 24-bit PCM at up…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Thorens TD 124 turntable (reconditioned by Schopper AG), Thomas Schick 12" tonearm; Ortofon Xpression cartridge.
Digital sources: Intel NUC computer running Roon Optimized Core Kit; Synology NAS; Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T CD Transport; Mytek Brooklyn Bridge Streaming DAC; Mytek Brooklyn DAC+; Mytek Brooklyn ADC.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard step-up transformer, EAR 834P phono preamp, Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier.
Power amplifiers: Pass Labs XA60.8, PS Audio BHK Signature 300 (all monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Revel…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the dCS Bartók using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"), using the Audio Precision's AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital outputs and USB data sourced from my MacBook Pro running on battery power, with Pure Music 3.0 playing WAV and AIFF test-tone files.
Apple's USB Prober utility identified the dCS processor as "dCS Bart\363k USB class 2" (footnote 1) from "Data Conversion Systems Ltd," with the serial number "2." The Bartók's USB port operated in the optimal isochronous asynchronous mode. Apple's AudioMIDI utility…
Descriptions of the sounds of products from Sutherland Engineering nearly always include "refined." While that word is certainly justified, it would be more apt to use it as a verb: Ron Sutherland spends more time than any audio designer I've known studying and fine-tuning and refining every detail of his work. I have the impression he knows those products so well that when he decides to design a less expensive version of his newest and best models, he knows exactly what to do.
The Sutherland Duo phono preamp I reviewed in August 2017 is a case in point. It sells for $4000 and comes…
Astute readers will notice that I haven't yet mentioned the Lyra Titan i—and that points to another example of the unpredictability of current-mode phono preamps: Through the Little Loco, the Lyra played music and didn't hum much, but fell flat in the same areas the other cartridges excelled. The Titan i is an excellent cartridge and is pretty forgiving with respect to load and gain, so its failure is hard to understand—a sobering reminder that you have to try a cartridge with the Little Loco to know whether it will work.
Loco listening
With the Little Loco in place of my reference…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state, current-mode phono preamplifier. Inputs: one pair, RCA. Outputs: one pair, RCA. Cartridge loading: n/a. Gain: 10k ohms at 1kHz, ±6dB. Power consumption 12W.
Dimensions: 17" (432mm) W × 2.0" (51mm) H × 13" (330mm) D. Weight: 15lb (6.8 kg) net, 18lb (8.2 kg) shipping.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 2759.
Price: $3800. Approximate number of dealers 7. Warranty: 5 years, transferrable.
Manufacturer: Sutherland Engineering, 455 East 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64131. Tel: (816) 718-7898. Web: sutherlandengineering.com.
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Primare CD35 CD player, Mytek Brooklyn DAC+.
Analog Sources: Spiral Groove SG-2.2 turntable and Centroid tonearm, VPI HR-X turntable and JMW Memorial tonearm; Audio-Technica AT-OC9ML/II, Grado Statement Reference, Lyra Titan i, Benz Micro SL, My Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent Ex, and Audio Technica AT-MO-NO3/LP phono cartridges.
Preamplification: Sutherland Phono Block and Phono Block Refined phono stages, Sutherland Line Block and Placette Active line stages,
Power amplifiers: VTL Ichiban and Mark Levinson No.20.6 power amplifiers,…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Ron Sutherland refers to his Little Loco phono preamplifier as a "transimpedance" amplifier, which means that it amplifies a current rather than a voltage—ie, the input signal is a current and the output signal is a voltage. Phono preamplifiers almost all use voltage-amplification circuitry. However, as a moving-coil cartridge inherently generates an output current, sourced from a very low impedance, it makes sense for a moving-coil phono preamplifier input stage to operate in current mode rather than voltage mode. I measured the Sutherland Little Loco using my…
Manufacturer's Comment
Editor: While many readers will likely consider this month's review of the dCS Bartók DAC to be a favourable one, dCS is concerned that it is not a very effective one.
Reviews in audio publications have been a useful way for a consumer to gain a better understanding of a product, its designers, and the company that manufactured it. Sadly, we feel that this review has failed to deliver on most of the above and does little to make the reader more informed about the Bartók.
This deficiency is especially illustrated in the listening notes. For instance,…
Audio Vision SF, one of San Francisco’s two major high-end dealerships, celebrated its 20th anniversary on September 27–29 with a three-day celebration in two locations. The event included continuous demos with national and local premieres from Moon by Simaudio, Dynaudio, Nordost, Warwick Acoustics, Naim, Chord, Bel Canto, Audiovector, and Raidho/Scansonic. Philip O’Hanlon from On A Higher Note and Lenny Mayeux from Audience were around the corner at the Holiday Inn Golden Gate showcasing the new Giles Martin 50th Anniversary remix of the Beatles’ Abbey Road on vinyl. Their exhibit, headlined…