Welcome dCS Lina

[Ermos (Erno)]

As just has been announced, dCS is coming up with the dCS Lina Headphone system:

Introducing dCS LINA

[1_Lina-Stack-Social] Introducing Lina: A new dCS system, purpose built for headphone listeners Lina is a new product series from dCS, designed to meet the unique needs of headphone listeners. Featuring a Network DAC, Headphone Amplifier and Master Clock, it reimagines the dCS experience for headphone users, and combines our world-leading audio technologies with new innovations developed specifically for headphone playback. After more than two years in development we could not be more excite…

It looks beautiful!

Some observations and questions:

• The price point is not under that of the Bartók system. I have to dive deeper into the details to find out why Lina is standing out from Bartók HDAC.
• It uses “buffered” analogue inputs as an extra. What is that?
  • 1 x stereo pair unbalanced RCA, input impedance 48kΩ
  • 1 x stereo pair unbuffered balanced XLR, input impedance 16kΩ
  • 1 x stereo pair buffered balanced XLR, input impedance 96k
• The Lina headamp has 2W out max at 30Ohms. That is lower than I would have hoped for.

[James (James Cook)]

@Ermos

It uses “buffered” analogue inputs as an extra. What is that?

The buffered balanced inputs have a higher input impedance, so are suitable for connecting to any DAC regardless of how much drive the output stage has.

The unbuffered balanced inputs have a low input impedance. They are intended for use with dCS DACs, and other third-party DACs with high drive capability. The unbuffered inputs will provide the highest quality.

[Ermos (Erno)]

Thanks James, that is clear.

[Anupc (Anup)]

I have to agree, it looks gorgeous

[Jenko (Paul Jenkins)]

I’m a headphone only user and have the Bartok & Rossini clock with a Cayin ha 300b headphone amp. Presumably my dac & clock are superior in sound quality alone verses the new Lina dac & clock ? My cayin headphone amp was roughly half the price of the new Lina headphone amp so should be better. Would this be the way to go to upgrade in my set up ?

[Ermos (Erno)]

I have the Rossini DAC + Clock, and use headphones a lot. I have the Focal Utopia and the Abyss AB 1266 Phi TC. Currently I use the Benchmark HPA4 headamp/ line amp.

This is what Abyss says about the new dCS Lina headamp:

The Lina headphone amplifier is one of the best sounding solid state amps we’ve encountered. If it excites the likes of us here at ABYSS, imagine what it will do for you and your system. Top shelf design and performance, build quality second to none, and a sonic character that finds itself at ease with nearly any high performance headphone, this is a no brainer for those who seek the finest.

From: https://eu.abyss-headphones.com/products/dcs-lina-reference-headphone-amplifier-network-dac-master-clock-system

So, now I am interested!

[Ermos (Erno)]

@James Since the manuals are not on-line yet, I have another question about the Lina headamp: where is the adjustable gain switch located? I do not see it on the pics.

Choice without compromise

Different kinds of headphones require differing amounts of voltage and current, depending on their efficiency and impedance. The Lina Headphone Amplifier is specifically designed to cope with widely varying loads and deliver an outstanding performance with a huge range of headphones - whatever their individual requirements or characteristics. This is achieved through a range of features and factors, including a low output impedance design, low noise floor, wide dynamic range, and an adjustable gain switch which removes the risk of hiss when listening with highly sensitive equipment.

From: https://shop.dcsaudio.com/products/lina-amplifier

[Phil (Phil Harris)]

Under the front panel overhang … pretty much under the volume control.

Phil

[Ermos (Erno)]

Thanks Phil!

[Phil (Phil Harris)]

… no worries!

[James (James Cook)]

I’ll get the user manuals etc. up and running ASAP - will drop links here for folks to take a read

[T38.45]

is the Lina DAC on same level like Bartok DAC? Price wise it calls 12750 USD!

[alextanght (Alex Tang)]

That is an interesting product. The Bartok system doesn’t come with a clock even. Do you think the Lina clock can be used on Bartok? And how would it compare to the Rossini clock?

[Ermos (Erno)]

First review of the dCS Lina reference Headphone System is up:

dCS Lina Network DAC, Headphone Amplifier, and Master Clock - Reviews

[James (James Cook)]

@alextanght

Do you think the Lina clock can be used on Bartok?

Yes, it can be used with any dCS DAC as it outputs standard Word Clock signals at 44.1k and 48k.

@alextanght

And how would it compare to the Rossini clock?

The Rossini Clock will provide higher performance than the Lina Clock.

[ruudvde (- Ruud)]

Interesting. Where can the customer listen to them in the Netherlands? Because you sell them directly just like Roon I saw. They don’t even have a regular shop.

[Ermos (Erno)]

In the Netherlands the dCS Lina system can be demoed at:

https://www.headphoneauditions.nl/brand/dcs/

[T38.45]

so Lina with DAC + clock is below Bartok SQ wise?

[Ermos (Erno)]

And here is the second review of the dCS Lina headphone system:

dCS Lina - Preview

It provides under-the-hood photos of all 3 components:

dCS Lina DAC

dCS Lina headamp

dCS Lina Clock

[samre007 (Rejean Samson)]

The Lina system is very interesting. However, it does not allow listening to electrostatic headphones. Maybe dCS could one day offer a dCS electrostatic amplifier,

As I prefer the sound qualities of electrostatics, I reached musical nirvana last year with the combination of my dCS Rossini + master clock (soon to be APEX), a WooAudio 3ES Elite tube amplifier (with Takatsuki tubes) and recently the marvelous STAX SR-X9000.