Getting the most from my Lina DAC X

Hi I wonder if anyone can help on what I might do next now that I’ve got my Lina DAC X paired with ATC SCM 50 actives?

Running on “out of the box” cabling, the system already sounds more open and precise than my previous Network Bridge, Devialet Expert Pro and passive ATCs. However, once the system is run in, I’m wondering if I should be considering better cables, then improved power and grounding? Or whether I should go for power and grounding first? I’ve listened to the system with all Shunyata cable loom and power and grounding. It sounded great!

Any suggestions will be gratefully considered. Thanks.

What a fantastic minimalist system, congratulations!

My 2c worth:

  • Better cables will definitely make a difference. With that combination of products you only have the power cable and the analog interconnects so pretty straightforward. Balanced is superior to unbalanced (not just the inherent benefit of balanced, the balanced output stage is superior)
  • You will hear the difference a better power cable makes. How much difference filters, regenerators etc. make however will very much depend on the quality of your mains supply. We design the power supplies to be as immune as possible to these issues.
  • Grounding issues increase with system complexity (numbers of chassis, when multiple chassis have multiple ground inter-connections, when there are mixtures of floating and grounded products etc.) Wouldn’t be anywhere near the top of my list with a system as simple (elegant!) as yours.
  • I assume the Lina is on a good vibration mitigating support. If not, put that on the list.
  • Don’t forget the clock! Adding a Lina Master Clock will definitely improve the sound quality. My recommendation would be to optimize the system without it first, whereafter you will gain maximum benefit from adding it.
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ATC SCM40A’s here; different league from the passives, whatever the exoticness of the power amp feeding them.

Check out Blue Jeans Cables piece on “Balanced Audio Cables”; I originally had the popular Canare L-4E6S Star Quad but swapped these out for Belden 1800F (formally a digital cable but makes a great analogue interconnect). Very pleased.

I’ve had relatively modest name (eg Nordost Blue Heaven) cables here in other roles but never felt the need to play with similar here… maybe I’m missing out but I’m good with this!

Hope this helps

hi Rohitha,

welcome to the LINA Dac X experience !! Long listening hours are in front of you.
I am relatively recent owner too (since January), and i’ve gone through the same questionning as you.

First, the burn in time is relatively long til it settles (nearly 8 weeks in my case) and going through some disturbing phases, and not pleasing sound quality. But eventually you DO reach magic heaven :wink:

Second, i’ve worked on getting the cleanest (affordable) eletricity to power the LinaX, as well as my full system (which is minimalist too → straight into monoblocks, then speakers). I’ve been amazed by how much power cables and a good distribution unit can reveal from a given system.

I’ve opted for a Nordost QB8 mkII, and combined it progressively with 1 Heidmall2 power cable on the distribution unit (serving the whole system) and another Heimdall2 power cable just for the Lina DacX. Each of those have upped the sound quality very noticeably (imaging, noise floor, authority, fluidity and musicality). I have decoupled the QB8 with Sort Kones, for another surprising, but obvious improvement (clarity and separation, lower noise floor - for 500euros, it’s really been a good reward). Through exploration of power cables, I’ve tested the high end TYR2 Nordost cable, which is now my next goal, and presents enormous improvement, but is significantly more expensive too.

That is to say, the quality of power you bring to your system is crucial: our high end gear is full of surprises and holds a lot of hidden qualities, that you will access to, only if you give it good and clean power.
I am a big fan of Shunyata too (clearly expensive though): i think and have read that both Nordost and SHunyata power cables are a good match with dCS gear, and I am ready to trust that.
Clean power is definitely where I would go first, in your case.

A third improvement step will be the addition of a clock. I am currently testing the Rossini clock: I was not very convinced by the first listening session, given its equivalent price range to the DAC itself, until I gave it the Heimdall power chord and also heidmall BNC digital cables. That is when i’ve understood the potential of a clock on a digital system. Don’t underestimate that, when you 'll get to it. Clocks are very sensitive to power cables. The addition of a clock is very difficult to describe in words: best is to try for yourself with your DCS dealer. I remember the Lina Clock had not been terribly convincing to me either, but it was a short trial. I’ve been told many times the Vivaldi clock is a game changer for your entire system, but it comes at double the cost of your Lina X … not sure it’s very consistent to allocate your money that way.

Side question: If anyone here has an opinion on what is a preferable upgrade from a Lina X: either, adding the amazing Vivaldi clock to it, or better upgrade the Lina X to a Bartok Apex (for example)? I know each would not improve the same parameters, but i’m curious what the dCS community thinks.

hope this is helpful, keep sharing your experiments of the Lina X improvements.

Hi Dan,

Just my 2c worth. While a Vivaldi clock would make a substantial improvement to the SQ of a DAC X, that budget (including the trade-in credit from the DAC X) puts you within reach of a Rossini Apex DAC (which you could also upgrade further down the track with a master clock). If you have that sort of money to spend that would be my recommendation.

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@AndrewS thanks good advice ! Also can you please elaborate further on the superiority of the balanced output circuit that mentionned above? Vs the RCA

The balanced outputs are higher quality. They are implemented with discrete transistors while the single ended outputs are implemented with opamps.

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Thank you Andrew. Cables and isolation are definitely on the list for consideration. Actually, as I reply to other responses, my list is growing.

Hi Nigel, thanks for the suggestions. I haven’t come across these cable before so will definitely investigate.

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Hi Dan, thanks for sharing your journey and some suggestions. Yes, the system is getting better with use. Can definitely appreciate the improvement and can feel the opportunity for improvement in the room itself, cabling, isolation and power. Will keep you posted on my choices later in the year after I exit phase 1!

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First of all, try a clock. That’s the biggest upgrade you can do, and you will hear it :+1: Cables and power ?…, be careful ….value for money /sound.

This is my experience with Lina Dac ang clock.