[TDHEAD]

Hello

I was able to compare in June 2023 in Lyon (casques headphones) the Lina dac with my Meitner MA 3, the 2 dacs being connected to my Viva STX amp, the headphones being the Shangri Senior or the Stax 9000.
I must admit that I didn't hear any difference between the 2 DACs, it was the lina clock that made the difference.
This improvement brought by the clock is not significant enough for my taste to justify the price difference. However, I hesitated for a long time because the contribution is clear, even if the meitner is excellent
However, Lina's representative who was present during this comparison assured me that Lina had to release an update of great importance, and I admit that I would listen to this dac again with its clock after this update to see if Lina has widened the gap to the point of justifying the price.
Do you know if this update took place?

In Mar to 1.1 i believe. The Lina Dac IMO is the best component of the three in the stack.

 

[MAISONOBE AALAIN]

As I listened to in June, this promised update has not happened at this time. Thank you

 

[TDHEAD]

As I listened to in June, this promised update has not happened at this time. Thank you

There is a DCS specific forum hosted by them. Their support is on it and responds to questions, probably someone has already asked. I think it's a public forum. Good place to read what people are saying about the lina Dac and other docs components

 

[adrianm]

The Zahl HM1 is 8K USD, 7K GBP (5,832.50 GBP pre-VAT).

Lina Amp is now a whopping 9.75K USD, 9K GBP (7.5K GBP pre-VAT), 16.25K AUD after a recent price hike.

The biggest problem I have with the Lina amp, in my audition, was that although it can make the Susvara's "loud", it didn't have drive to it in the sense that is was dynamic, effortless, FAST... not nearly in the same way the AMP-23R could.

To top it off for the price, it doesn't have pre-amp functionality or speaker drive functionality, doesn't have any analogue signal processing functionality, doesn't have variable gain or precise relay-based volume control. It has a good build quality though...

Sorry if I'm ripping into this too much but I'm really scratching my head at this one.

If you were someone who was thinking about getting the dCS Lina DAC & Clock combo, which is a fantastic TOTL DAC, you are doing yourself and the DAC a great disservice by pairing it with the Lina Amp.

This is what I said last year basically, and this is how it's going :

 

[Donald D]

The Lina HeadAmp drives two Utopias easily with the Lina DAC output at 6V

https://homestudiobasics.com/what-is-sensitivity-in-headphones/

Quotes from the link above: “The Utopia’s Sensitivity is 104dB/mW, so it needs less juice to reach optimal levels...So with a headphone that has a 105dB of Sensitivity, only 2.5mW of power is required to reach optimal loudness (110dB SPL).”

 

[ThanatosVI]

At this years High End I auditioned the Lina System again. This year I liked it much more but still think paired with a Feliks Envy the DAC shines better.

It was Nice to see the inner parts pre folded and also how the unit is built.
The reps were amazing to talk to.

They also paired the clock with Bartok and Rossini.

I'm happy with my T+A stuff but not gonna lie that smooth build of the Lina really speaks to me.
It has a different feel when seeing it up close, compared to pictures.

 

[ThanatosVI]

@dCS Team ,@dCS James any chance on a Roon Core in a Lina Chassis?

If you wonder what else to put in that chassis, maybe a Hardware DSD converter and Upsampler similar to Rockna Wavelight Server or a CD Transport (which can automatically rip CDs to the Roon Core)

I guess the chance is close to zero, but I really like the Lina chassis and would love a Roon Core + DAC + Clock combo.

 

[SalR406]

@dCS Team ,@dCS James any chance on a Roon Core in a Lina Chassis?

If you wonder what else to put in that chassis, maybe a Hardware DSD converter and Upsampler similar to Rockna Wavelight Server or a CD Transport (which can automatically rip CDs to the Roon Core)

I guess the chance is close to zero, but I really like the Lina chassis and would love a Roon Core + DAC + Clock combo.

My first ask would be for preamp outputs (RCA & XLR) on the Lina Amp - either switched or auto muted when headphones are connected.

 

[ThanatosVI]

My first ask would be for preamp outputs (RCA & XLR) on the Lina Amp - either switched or auto muted when headphones are connected.

Combined with a Loudness function that sounds quite appealing.
Maybe add some simple analog Bass/Treble EQ as well.

(A Loudness function is Bass/treble EQ in relation to the volume. Stronger EQ on lower volume with less strong EQ on higher volume to counter the Fletcher Munson effect)