RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Latest and fully loaded Bartok.
This is a fair ask, landing right on the £12,500 median of the recent comparables and sitting just inside the upper end of the market band, with the £11,860 / £12,544 quartiles framing it neatly. It is not a bargain, but it is priced in line with what buyers are actually paying for this tier of used dCS gear, so it reads as sensible rather than stretched.
That makes the appeal the product itself: Bartók APEX is one of the better-regarded one-box DACs for resolving power, timing and a very clean, controlled presentation, with enough refinement to suit serious systems. In excellent condition, the upside is straightforward if it’s complete and well cared for; the main buyer focus is confirming full functionality, firmware status and any included original accessories, since at this level you want the listing to be as turnkey as the price suggests.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
dCS: British Digital Audio Pioneer
dCS (Data Conversion Systems) was established in Cambridge, England in 1987, emerging from a background in advanced signal processing and radar systems for aerospace applications including RAF Harrier and Typhoon aircraft. This foundation in hard science and digital engineering has defined the company's trajectory from electronics consultancy to specialist audio manufacturer. The company transitioned to consumer audio in 1989 with the 900 ADC, an analogue-to-digital converter for professional studios, and by 1996 launched the Elgar, claimed to be the first 24-bit high-resolution DAC for the domestic hi-fi market.
dCS specializes exclusively in digital audio conversion technology, with their product range centered on DACs (digital-to-analogue converters) and associated digital processing components. Every product incorporates the company's proprietary Ring DAC technology, a hallmark of their engineering approach. Rather than diversifying into amplifiers, speakers, or other categories, dCS has maintained singular focus on mastering the conversion and playback of digital audio signals with maximum fidelity.
The brand occupies the ultra-premium, high-end segment of the audio market, positioning itself among the world's most respected specialist manufacturers. All products are hand-assembled in-house at their Cambridge facility by a dedicated team of designers and technicians. dCS commands significant respect among professional recording engineers and discerning audiophiles seeking uncompromising digital audio performance, representing a rare example of a British hi-fi company that has sustained innovation and manufacturing excellence over nearly four decades.
See all dCS listings on RADAR.
