My dealer as well: Bartok Apex
Miguel, I hadn’t thought through the implications of a software/firmware release limited to Apex until you mentioned this. It is an interesting idea, and certainly one way to get to a “next generation.”
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It closes the “loop” - APEX hardware + new software would be worthy to be called “next generation”, I think. As I mentioned, they know what serial numbers are APEX, so they can easily tailor the software update to only include APEX units.
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I am on the list for my Rossini Apex upgrade - been waiting since November - and I wonder what my paths will be post tomorrow’s announcement. Which, to me, is looking more and more like it’s something significant and beyond just a Bartok Apex.
BTW, I entered the dCS family via the headphone Bartok and have now migrated to Rossini + Rossini Clock which is hmmm, how to put it simply, just way better!
And finally, kudos again to all in this group for resolving any and all issues and not making any differences personal. I enjoy my visits to this forum and often learn something. What more can one ask for?!
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A very good suggestion that seems to hold up in relation to the announcement of DCS. In any case my wallet should appreciate. Philippe
I just hope the vivaldi gets a new software package, so the rossini can have the now vivaldi software, and bartock just keeps the rossini software it got only a few months ago.
As i said i feel they need to do this to keep the distance between each, as the soon to be apex bartock must be very close to the apex rossini, as both will be running the same.
So hopefully tomorrow will bring more than just bartock apex
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The Rossini and the Bartok have the current Vivaldi software TODAY, that’s what v2 firmware is.
Isn’t the vivaldi 2.11 ?
The sound processing bits - map, DSDx2, etc - are the parts you care about. I am pretty sure there’s no differences in this regard across versions. Obviously, Vivaldi has some specifics only to itself given the differences in the hardware, but I don’t think there are any major diffs in sound processing in the DAC.
Well what i am getting at is.
Since the bartock just got the upgrade to the same spec 2 software, or whatever it is, and a few years ago the rossini got the upgrade to spec 2, which was at the time what the vivaldi had, till that got updated.
To keep things as they were, then no we need a new vivaldi upgrade, so the rossini can have what the vivaldi has now.
hi Miguel, if there is minimal difference on the software side, what contributes to the significant difference to sound quality between rossini and vivaldi ( excluding any clocks, upsamplers etc)? . is it purely the analogue stage? and if so, would a rossini with a top top pre amp / power amp outperform a vivaldi with a lesser pre/power amp? trust my question this makes sense! thanks
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I believe separate/modular architecture where key modules are hosted in separate (and better) enclosures with dedicated power supplies and boards for each module makes the difference.
But I always wondered whether that would bring in so much benefits in SQ. That may make them (Rossini vs Vivaldi) sound very different though.
Regards,
Sourav
@Dunc I appreciate that you would like Bartok to perform like Rossini just by way of the having the same firmware. However v.2 Bartok and v.2 Rossini are not identical as v.2 is not a substantive “thing” but is v.2 of the Bartok firmware and v.2 of th e Rossini firmware. They share certan aspects or intentions but that does not make them identical.
The difference between the ranges depends upon far more than the firmware that runs the DAC but also concerns power supplies, components etc. Have a look at these images of the interior of Bartok, Rossini and Vivaldi. Notice the differences?
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Well, for one, the differences in the power supplies. Vivaldi does not have any networking inside, has beefy power supplies, is simpler. Also note that the APEX Ring DAC boards for Rossini and Vivaldi are one and the same - this has been discussed elsewhere, you can search the forum. So the analog stage IS THE SAME.
The Vivaldi stack has a few more bells and whistles - A better clock, an external upsampler giving is more electrical isolation from “computer noise” etc.
Some audio cognoscenti I know put it very simply: Audio is modulating the signal out of the power supply - this is why power is so incredibly important.
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The middle pic is the Scarlatti Clock.
Thanks Miguel. That’ll teach me to rely on the labelling of images on the internet 
However my main point remains that there are other things than just the firmware which bring about the performance of the units.
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What timezone are these dCS announcements made in?
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3PM UK time apparently.
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Hmmm. According to the timer on the dCS homepage I’m seeing (from NZ) it’s in just under four hours’ time.
…which is 2am UK time.
If that’s right it’s the first time in a while I’ve not liked being in NZ for timezone reasons. I’ve been waiting for AGES already 
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I’m just hoping it’s another all-out assault on the sonic state-of-the-art, like they did with the Vivaldi when my Scarlatti stack was barely 5 years old 
. I’m sure everyone’s looking forward to getting onto the incremental upgrade ride on the 2nd hand market.
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