Music Lovers is excited to share the launch of the newest system from dCS: LINA - purpose-built for headphone listeners.
All Lina components are available for pre-order on our site. Links are provided throughout this post.
Music Lovers has the full set available for demo! If you want to know more about the Lina line or would like to pre-order to secure your place in line, click the links throughout this post or visit our online store to place your order online.
We can't wait to show you what this system can do paired with a set of high-end headphones like the Focal Utopia, Sennheiser HD820, Audeze LCD-4, or Grado PS2000e.
Here is a video from dCS on the creation of the Lina system:
Introducing LINA dCS Lina is a new playback system from dCS, designed to meet the unique needs and demands of the head-fi community.
With Lina, dCS set out to create the definitive system for headphone playback – one that drives a huge range of headphones to their full potential and reproduces sound with every last nuance intact.
dCS LINA Full System MSRP $21,950
Featuring a dedicated Network DAC, Headphone Amplifier, and Grade 1 Master Clock, it offers the ultimate sonic escape for music lovers and the head-fi connoisseur. The smallest product series from dCS yet, it is designed for use in a wide range of environments, from shared offices to home studios, bedrooms and smaller living spaces. Its state-of-the-art circuitry, electronics and digital processing allow delivery of a huge range of features in a compact format, with zero compromises on sound and performance.
Each dCS Lina System is:
Designed and hand-assembled in the UK by their expert technicians and engineers
Fitted with flexible, FPGA-based firmware for a long product lifespan
Rigorously tested using state-of-the-art equipment
Manufactured using the finest materials – Crafted from billet Aluminium casing for enhanced performance with minimal vibration and noise
Created using proprietary hardware and software developed by dCS (hardware and software that they’ve been refining for over three decades)
dCS LINA Network DAC MSRP $12,750
The dCS Lina Network DAC delivers extraordinary sound from all digital sources and audio recordings. Its design combines the renowned playback technologies of dCS – including the dCS Ring DAC and Digital Processing Platform – with new innovations, such as their first-ever touch-screen display, a streamlined user interface, and a powerful flex-ridged circuit board, which allows dCS to deliver all of the features you’d expect from one of their systems in a much smaller chassis. The result is a powerful, supremely capable product designed for use in a wide range of environments.
Key Features
Supports hi-res streaming via Roon, TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, Deezer, AirPlay and more
dCS Ring DAC system ensures sound is reproduced with absolute integrity for a highly detailed, natural and deeply musical performance
dCS Expanse technology offers enhanced crossfeed optimization for a more natural and immersive experience when listening to a wide range of stereo recordings
Flexible dCS Digital Processing Platform provides unlimited scope for future upgrades.
Touch screen UI with customizable menu provides seamless navigation [system can also be controlled via dCS Mosaic app]
dCS LINA Master Clock MSRP $7,300
Informed by dCS's extensive experience in developing master clocks for professional and home use, the Lina Master Clock uses two quartz crystals to deliver a precise clocking reference for all audio formats and frequencies. When paired with the Lina Network DAC, it enhances all aspects of sound – from detail and imaging to rhythmic movement and flow. Each aspect of its design has been carefully crafted to protect against factors that can interfere with clocking signals – ensuring long-term stability and the utmost accuracy during
Key Features
Oven-controlled crystal oscillators (one for 44.1kHz based audio sample rates and one for 48kHz) ensure accurate clocking for all audio samples and frequencies
Allows Lina Network DAC to be locked to a single master signal for enhanced audio performance
Provides a significant increase in sound quality when streaming or listening via USB
Minimizes risk of jitter and timing irregularities which can affect playback
Standalone design with isolated chassis and power supply protects clock signal from external interference
dCS LINA Headphone Amplifier MSRP: $9,100
dCS's powerful solid-state Class AB amplifier is engineered to drive a vast range of headphones - from planars to sensitive IEMS - to their full potential. With its low noise floor, wide bandwidth, vast dynamic range, and excellent linearity, it delivers all of the sonic benefits you’d expect from a dCS product and is designed to complement virtually any head-fi setup.
Key Features
Class AB design with DC servo system delivers high power efficiency and excellent linearity
Solid-state design delivers consistent, clean performance
SBoilleidt Aluminum chassis minimizes the risk of electromagnetic interference for enhanced audio performance
Choice of inputs caters to a variety of sources and audio setups
Includes 3 headphone outputs. 1 x dual 3-pin balanced XLR, right and left channel. 1 x single 4-pin balanced XLR. 1 x single 1/4’’ (6.35mm)headphone jack
Creating pioneering audio products since 1987 dCS has been shaping the future of digital audio for over 30 years, developing unique products and technologies that have revolutionized music recording and playback. Founded in 1987, dCS started out developing digital converters for aviation and aerospace companies, before shifting their focus to digital audio. Over the past 35 years, they have developed a succession of pioneering products and proprietary technologies for music lovers and recording professionals – from the first-ever high-resolution DACs and ADCs, to the multi- award-winning dCS Bartok Headphone DAC.
dCS products are renowned for their outstanding technical performance, exquisite craftsmanship and profound musicality. Through continuous innovation and obsessive attention to detail, they create products that uncover the true depth and essence of recorded sound and bring people closer to the music and the artists they love.
"Lina is an exciting new step in a journey that began over 30 years ago. At dCS, we’ve always strived to create products that bring people closer to the music and artists they love. Inspired by the rise of headphone listening, and the headfi community’s tremendous passion and enthusiasm, we have developed our first product range designed specifically for the dedicated headphone listener – a product that we believe sets a new standard for headphone playback. After over two years of intensive development and user testing, we’re delighted to be launching dCS Lina. It’s our ambition to bring Lina to headphone listeners around the world and become part of that community’s passion." – David Steven, Managing Director, dCS
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