DCS Bartok DAC User manual

Bartók DAC
User Manual
DCS311659 - V03

2
Document information
Published on: 21/06/2022
Document ID: DCS311659 - V03
Software version: 2.0x
Copyright
Copyright © 2022 Data Conversion Systems Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice, and whilst it is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for errors.
dCS is Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Company registered in England No. 2072115.
This product incorporates the following dCS proprietary technology: Ring DAC™
dCS and Ring DAC™ are registered trademarks of Data Conversion Systems Ltd.
Other product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are the
property of their owners. They are used only for explanation, without intent to infringe.
Intended purpose
This document advises users how to set up, use and configure the product.
Conventions in this document
This document uses the following safety notices and tips:
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in moderate injury, damage the product,
or lead to loss of data.
NOTICE
Indicates an important situation which, if not avoided, may seriously impair operations.
Additional information relating to the current section.
Contact address
Data Conversion Systems Ltd.
Unit 1, Buckingway Business Park,
Anderson Road,
Swavesey,
Cambridgeshire, CB24 4AE
UK
Bartók DAC User Manual

Contents
Safety 5
Getting started 7
What's in the box 7
Where to place the unit 7
Recommended cables and connectors 7
Overview 9
Front panel 9
Rear panel 11
Setting up 15
Connecting the power supply 15
Switching the unit on and off 15
Connecting analogue outputs 16
dCSMosaic 17
Connecting PCM inputs 18
Connecting a computer 20
Clocking 21
Using Power Link 25
Using the Bartók DAC 26
Navigating the menus 26
Changing the input 26
Changing the volume 26
Playing music with Apple AirPlay 27
Playing music with Spotify Connect 27
Playing music from streaming services 27
About MQA files 27
Using Roon 28
Playing music from a USB storage device 28
Settings 30
Overview of the menus 30
Software menus 31
Renaming digital inputs 32
Renaming your Bartók DAC 32
Viewing information about the unit 33
Audio settings 34
Unit settings 36
Bartók DAC User Manual
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Configuration settings 39
Display settings 41
System tests 42
Updating the software 42
Specifications 43
About the software 44
Maintenance 45
Replacing a blown mains fuse 45
Cleaning the unit 46
Troubleshooting 47
Support 49
Contact details 49
Limited warranty 50
General information 50
Warranty exclusions 50
Obtaining service 50
Operating conditions 51
Compliance 52
FCC compliance statement 52
Made for iPhone® and iPad® 52
Works with Apple AirPlay 53
Bartók DAC User Manual

Safety
The following statements are required to comply with U.S. safety standard UL60065.
CAUTION
Read and comply with all safety messages and instructions in this document.
• Follow the cleaning instructions in this document.
• Only install the unit according to the instructions in this document.
• Do not spill liquid on the unit or allow it to get wet.
• Do not install the unit near heat sources.
• Use only the attachments and accessories specified by dCS.
CAUTION
To prevent the risk of electric shock and ensure the best audio performance, connect
the unit to mains earth (ground) using the correct power cable.
• A grounding type plug has two blades and a grounding prong, which is
provided for safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, contact a
qualified electrician.
• Do not use the power cable if it is damaged.
• If this unit is not being used for a long period of time, disconnect the unit from
the power supply.
• During lightning storms, disconnect the unit from the power supply to prevent
power surges.
CAUTION
The safety covers on the unit protect you from electric shock.
• Do not remove the safety covers from the unit.
• If you do remove the safety covers from the unit, it invalidates the warranty.
NOTICE
If the unit is damaged, do not use it and contact a qualified service engineer. Possible
causes of damage to the unit include the following:
• Liquid is spilled on the unit.
• A heavy object falls on the unit.
• The unit is exposed to rain or moisture.
• The unit is dropped.
NOTICE
The voltage setting of the unit must match the local supply voltage. If you use the unit
with a different voltage from the local supply, it may damage the unit and invalidate the
warranty.
• The voltage setting on the unit is shown on the serial number label on the rear
of the unit.
• To change the voltage setting of the unit, contact your dealer.
Safety
Bartók DAC User Manual
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NOTICE
Damage caused to the unit by misuse of a mains regenerator or by a malfunctioning
mains regenerator is not covered by the warranty.
• We do not recommend the use of mains regenerators.
• If you want to use a mains regenerator with variable voltage and frequency,
set the voltage to match your local voltage. Set the frequency to either 50Hz or
60Hz.
• Do not change the output voltage of the mains generator while it is connected
to the unit.
NOTICE
If the unit is cold and is moved into a warm room, condensation may form inside the
unit. Condensation may interfere with the normal operation of the unit. If the unit has
been kept somewhere cold, remove all packaging and leave it for 1-2 hours before
using it to allow it to reach room temperature.
This product is not suitable for operation at altitudes above 2000m.
This product is lead-free and complies with the RoHS directive.
The symbol indicates that this product should not be treated as
normal household waste. Recycle this product at an approved
collection facility.
Safety
Bartók DAC User Manual

Getting started
What's in the box
The box contains the following items:
• dCS Bartók DAC
• User Guide
• Software Quick Start Guide
• Quick Reference Guide for the Mosaic Control app
• Power cable
If an item is missing from the box, contact your dealer.
Bartók DAC is intended to be controlled by the dCS Mosaic Control app. A dCS Universal IR
remote control is available as an optional extra.
We recommend that you keep the original packaging of the unit. If you need to order
replacement packaging, see www.dcsaudio.com.
Where to place the unit
To get the best sound quality, place the Bartók DAC on a separate shelf or rack from other audio
equipment.
• Place each unit on a firm, vibration-free base.
• Ensure you can easily connect the unit to the other parts of your system.
• Leave free space around the unit to allow for ventilation.
• To ensure the unit is level, adjust the feet on the bottom of the unit. The maximum
height adjustment is 3mm (1/8").
Recommended cables and connectors
We recommend the following cables and connectors for use with the unit. We supply
"commercial" cables with the unit, but you can use cables and connectors of your preferred
quality.
NOTICE
Heavy or inflexible power cables may damage the connectors on the unit.
Some “audiophile” cables have unusual grounding or screening arrangements, or they
don't have the correct characteristic impedance. If you have difficulty using such cables
but the problem disappears when you use standard cables, contact your cable
manufacturer.
Getting started
Bartók DAC User Manual
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Digital inputs
Input Recommended cable and connector
AES / EBU 110Ω screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male 3way XLR connector and one
female 3way XLR connector.
Word Clock
/ SPDIF
BNC
75Ω coax cables fitted with BNC connectors.
SPDIF RCA 75Ω coax cables fitted with RCA phono connectors.
Toslink Toslink fibre-optic cables.
Network RJ45 Ethernet cable.
USB Standard screened USB 2.0 cable fitted with one type ‘A’ connector and one type ‘B’
connector. The internal screen must be connected at both ends.
The Word Clock sockets require a simple DC-coupled connection. If you use capacitor-
coupled cables or cables with built-in networks, the interfaces may not work correctly.
Analogue outputs
Output Recommended cable and connector
Balanced
output
Screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male 3way XLR connector and one female
3way XLR connector.
Unbalanced
outputs
Coax cables fitted with RCA phono connectors.
Getting started
Bartók DAC User Manual

Overview
Front panel
3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2
Item Description
1Display Displays menus and information about the current input, for example, track name
and artist.
►For more information, see "Display" on the next page.
2Remote control
receiver
Aim the remote control at the remote control receiver.
3Power button Press to switch on the unit.
Press to enter sleep mode or wake from sleep mode. When in sleep mode, the
adjacent blue LED is lit.
Press and hold until SWITCHINGOFF is displayed to switch off the unit.
In a menu, press to close the menu.
4Menu button Press to open the main menu.
In a menu, press to select an item.
When a USB storage device is inserted in the USB2 socket, press and hold for 2
seconds to open the file browser.
5◄Filter button Press to change the PCM filter setting when receiving PCM data, or the DSD
filter when receiving DSD data.
►For more information, see "Changing the PCM filter" on page34.
In a menu, press to go to the previous page or item.
In a track list, press to go to the previous track.
6►Input button Press to cycle through the available digital inputs.
►For more information, see "Changing the input" on page26.
In a menu, press to go to the next page or item.
In a track list, press to go to the next track.
7Mute button Press to mute or unmute the audio.
When the file browser is open, press to go up to the folder at the level above.
8Rotary control Turn to change the volume. If the unit is set to balance mode, turn to adjust the
balance.
In a menu, turn to the right to go to the next page, and turn to the left to go the
previous page.
Overview
Bartók DAC User Manual
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Display
When streaming music from the network or a USB device, the display shows the following
information:
12
14
11
13
Area Description
1Information about the current song, for example, the artist, album name, track name, or file
name
2Data rate (word length and sample rate for PCM, or DSD or DSDx2)
3Status icons
►For more information, see "Status icons" below.
4Play/Pause icon and track elapsed time
When a digital input is selected, or the network input is selected but not active, the display shows
the following information:
12
14
11
13
Area Description
1Current input
2Data rate (word length and sample rate for PCM, or DSD or DSDx2)
3Status icons
►For more information, see "Status icons" below.
4Current volume
Status icons
In normal operation, status icons are shown on the display.
Icon Description
Filter setting when receiving PCM data
Filter setting when receiving DSD data
Overview
Bartók DAC User Manual