[dCS Team]

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 excited to finally share this with you all. Read more on the dCS Edit https://dcsaudio.com/edit/dcs-launches-lina

Lina is available to pre-order now direct from dCS, and via a select network of specialist retailers https://shop.dcsaudio.com/products/lina-system

 

[dolstein]

Any plans to offer the Lina series in silver at some point?

Also, I was curious about the decision to include a dual 3-pin XLR headphone output on the front, rather than, say, a Pentacomm 4.4mm output and/or a second 4-pin XLR output.

Also curious about the decision not to include a preamp output on the back of the unit.

 

[horatiu]

£27.000? I might buy two or three.

 

[dolstein]

So does the amp have the juice to drive the HiFi Man Susvara or the ABYSS AB-1266? For $9100 it ought to. What's the point of buying an end-game headphone amp if it can't drive some of the best known end-game headphonesl?

 

[jaboki]

So does the amp have the juice to drive the HiFi Man Susvara or the ABYSS AB-1266? For $9100 it ought to. What's the point of buying an end-game headphone amp if it can't drive some of the best known end-game headphonesl?

I agree... it seems a bit underweight

 

[BLacklWf]

The DAC spec is identical to Bartok. And, with the master clock, Lina DAC is about the same price as Bartok. I wonder which sounds better as DAC for the same amount of money. However, looks like Lina DAC does not have volume control.

*It seems Lina cannot be used with the speakers at all. That's a bummer..

 

[dolstein]

The DAC spec is identical to Bartok. And, with the master clock, Lina DAC is about the same price as Bartok. I wonder which sounds better as DAC for the same amount of money. However, looks like Lina DAC does not have volume control.

*It seems Lina cannot be used with the speakers at all. That's a bummer..

If you have powered speakers, you could probably connect them to the XLR headphone output on the front of the headphone. It's ugly, but would probably work. But yes, it looks like DCS deliberately left preamp functionality out of both the DAC and the headphone amp. Whether this was done due to limited space in the boxes, or simply to stay out of the Bartok lane isn't clear.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

possible to use the clocking for bartok? (if truly able to increase the sound quality)

 

[RobertSM]

@dCS Team

I don't see output voltages for RCA & XLR for Lina network DAC listed. Any chance we could know the values and therefore how theses levels can be integrated into our existing systems.

 

[zach915m]

So does the amp have the juice to drive the HiFi Man Susvara or the ABYSS AB-1266? For $9100 it ought to. What's the point of buying an end-game headphone amp if it can't drive some of the best known end-game headphonesl?

@dCS Team

I don't see output voltages for RCA & XLR for Lina network DAC listed. Any chance we could know the values and therefore how theses levels can be integrated into our existing systems.

We've got a demo unit in house and I'll share a video soon as I've gone from unboxing it to using it for a few weeks. As a disclaimer, we won't be selling these or anything just using it on ZMFs and my other headphones.

1. I have a Susvara and there's no problem driving it.

2. The DAC has a 2v and 6v out, the 6v out into the amp drivers the susvara more easily into high volume levels. The levels are adjustable in the menu of the DAC.

 

[bflat]

Audiophiles - arguing over voltages and outputs
Me - brain frozen after seeing price tag

 

[Abyss Headphones]

The LINA headphone amp drives all ABYSS headphone models very well. Typical listening volume setting for AB1266 or Diana TC is about half way (noon by the dot on that massive volume knob. It's one of those amps where the power ratings do not directly correlate to drive capabilities.

 

[chesebert]

Headphone amp looks meh based on the spec. Can we get an internal shot?

 

[MtnMan307]

We've got a demo unit in house and I'll share a video soon as I've gone from unboxing it to using it for a few weeks. As a disclaimer, we won't be selling these or anything just using it on ZMFs and my other headphones.

1. I have a Susvara and there's no problem driving it.

2. The DAC has a 2v and 6v out, the 6v out into the amp drivers the susvara more easily into high volume levels. The levels are adjustable in the menu of the DAC.

It has a 6 volt output setting?! That’s pretty hot out of a DAC.

 

[sheridant]

this could be a fun thread to watch