Hello,
I should be soon given the opportunity to try a Rossini clock with my Bartók APEX.
Quick question: I’ve understood the Rossini DAC and Clock can be connected by a RS232 cable. This allows the clock to go out/in standby mode when the DAC does so.
Does the same work with the Bartók and the Rossini clock?
Any peculiar attention to bring to the nature of the RS232 cable?
(audiophile grade? 
just kidding here)
Thanks,
Erwan.
Thanks @Ermos !
Yes, it works quite well. And remember to put your Bartok’s RS232 Configuration into >T [Text] mode, not >B [Binary].
Thanks @Anupc !
I followed your advice and switched it to Text mode yesterday already 
One slightly odd thing is that dCS kit has male RS232 sockets. But all other equipment I’ve seen uses female sockets. I wonder if there is a reason for that?
Congrats! And I hope, and expect, you will love the improvement. Give it some time, if it is not immediately clear.
Well, just after 20mn everything was plugged in and gently warming up in standby, my dealer (who came deliver and install the unit for trial) and I gave a listen: the difference switching from the master to the worldclock was already significant!
Different spatial presentation with the worldclock, significantly more depth, sound coming from way above the front wall…
We were amazed as we were both not expecting the difference just after such a short warmup to be that perceptible…
This morning, I switched the mapper and OverSampling settings.
Since the Bartók 2.0 firmware update, I was on Mapper 3 and DXD OverSampling, to get the more punch and time accuracy out of the DAC.
My first listening session of today felt a bit too pushy, slightly aggressive.
Back to Mapper 1 and DSD OverSampling, and the sound gently relaxed, while being very articulated.
I also surprised myself to reduce the volume for tracks I’m used to, yet not losing any details…
Well, pretty convincing so far… (and my wallet risks to suffer again… 
)
Rossini clock just ordered today…
Congrats @Erwan ! Enjoy, and then, slowly, after some time, try the combo of your Rossini Clock with a Rossini DAC 
Don’t even try to tempt me @Ermos: you have such a bad influence on me!…
Well, the Rossini Clock I was given for trial had to return this morning…
Hopefully mine will arrive as announced within a couple of weeks…
Very cunning dealers that lend you things that they know you will like . I don’t have a clock yet and no Apex yet, please don’t tempt me. Ignorance is bliss 
First go Apex: almost night and day difference!
The clock is “just” refinement…
And sometimes they lend me things I didn’t like:
Their goal is to keep their customers satisfied.
If you wish to try something even from a brand they don’t resell at the moment, if they can (no contractual empishment with brands they already sale, or territory issues with other dealers) they will most of the time arrange something during the year so that you can have a listening session either at their shop or at you place…
But isn’t something any dealer should be doing?
Not even half an hour since the clock was removed, and I’m missing it already.
Among other things, I especially (re)discovered drum parts with the clock.
Without the clock, drums are rather “life-less”…
I went from bartok non apex to bartok plus Rossini clock to Rossini apex without the clock before reintroducing the Rossini clock . The uptick in performance was clear . Finally I changed the bnc cables from stock to apogee wyde eye ( not expensive ) and again heard improvement . I’ve been tempted by changing to a Vivaldi clock but have resisted the urge and am simply enjoying the sound my system makes . My amp is CH Precision A1.5 and speakers are stenheim Alumine 3. Currently running the DAC via a benchmark hpa4 pre amp .
Congratulations. New gear is always fun!
