Which would you buy: dCS Rossini non-Apex or dCS Bartok Apex?

I own an Audio Research Reference CD9 SE. I have also had in my system a Berkeley Reference Alpha 3P, Accuphase DC 1000 and I hear that the Music Fidelity Nu Vista pretty good for the money.

I have the DCS bartok and I think the Apex upgrade was a big step forward. Everybody hears differently, but I disagree that it is not musical. In fact, I find it to be a more realistic sound, than audio research equipment, which, to my ears, puts a veil over the music. I think both are extremely well designed and well built equipment, we all have different tastes.

The ideal situation would be to get the Rossini and upgrade it to the Apex. If that’s not possible, I would probably take the Rossini, but as I said, I thought the Apex upgrade was a very significant step forward for both Rossini and Bartók. 

Give the Mola Mola Tambaqui a listen if you can. 

Before you purchase give Nagra Dac’s and MSB a shot. You can get an MSB Reference Dac with warranty from MSB at a great price. While DCS comes highly recommended there are other sound signatures you may be over looking in that price range.