dCS
Lina Headphone Amplifier
$9,750.00 USDFeatures
Solid state design provides consistent, clean performance
Choice of inputs caters to a variety of digital sources and audio setups
Class AB design with DC server system delivers high power efficiency and excellent linearity
Solid aluminum chassis reduces risk of electromagnetic interference
Transparent performance faithfully mirrors the sound of your chosen music and headphones
What's in the Box?
Lina Headphone Amplifier
$9,750.00
Whether you’re listening with IEMs or reference-level over-ear headphones, the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier will ensure you experience the full impact of your chosen headphones and your music. dCS' powerful solid-state amplifier is designed to drive even the most demanding headphones to their full potential. Its ultra-low output impedance adapts to suit the requirements of every headphone for optimal performance. The Lina Headphone Amplifier is dCS' first-ever standalone amp, built on their experience developing a custom Class AB headphone amplifier for the award-winning dCS Bartók Headphone DAC.
The Lina Headphone Amplifier delivers plenty of power and grip while maintaining complete neutrality. With a low noise floor, wide dynamic range, and excellent linearity, it delivers users a hi-fi listening experience that reveals the true sound and character of their music and headphones. To celebrate the continued success of the dCS Lina system line, the Lina Headphone Amplifier is available in two finishes—silver and black. The Lina amp offers exceptional sound quality, advanced technologies, and a range of features for discerning audiophiles and music lovers who prefer headphone listening.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier with the Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable with RCA connectors for connecting the amp to other digital audio devices. Sold in pairs, our interconnect cables offer a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. The RCA connectors combined with the braided geometry and shielding deliver a clean sound with no smear.
Features
- Low output impedance ensures optimal sound with a huge range of headphones - including highly sensitive models
- Solid state design provides consistent, clean performance
- Choice of inputs caters to a variety of digital sources and audio setups
- Class AB design with DC server system delivers high power efficiency and excellent linearity
- Solid aluminum chassis reduces risk of electromagnetic interference
- Transparent performance faithfully mirrors the sound of your chosen music and headphones
Timeless dCS Design
The dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier's design combines renowned dCS technologies and innovations for a high-performing unit catered toward headphone listeners. The Lina Headphone Amplifier features a sleek and modular design that complements the Lina Network Streaming DAC and Lina Master Clock. Its compact form factor allows for easy placement on a desktop or in an audio rack. The unit's front panel has a high-quality volume control knob and headphone outputs, the rear panel includes balanced stereo pair XLR analogue inputs and unbalanced RCA analog inputs for connecting the dCS Lina Network DAC, word clock, or other digital audio sources. Use the single 4-pin balanced XLR, 6.35mm headphone jack, and dual 3-pin balanced XLR headphone outputs to connect your favorite cans. Buffered and unbuffered options make it compatible with both high and low impedance digital sources, and guarantee the best possible sound regardless of what source you choose to connect.
Crafted from billet aluminum—a material with excellent acoustic properties—the headphone amp has been meticulously designed to deliver the finest possible sound with the lowest levels of distortion and noise. This unique design approach reflects dCS' purpose-built ethos to deliver users an elegant and timeless unit with the highest levels of performance and reliability. The unit is configured to work with the Lina Network DAC and Lina Master Clock, creating a full high-end headphone system (Lina stack) that can be stacked or arranged horizontally.
Perfect Neutrality
When paired with the dCS Lina Network DAC, the Lina Headphone Amplifier delivers an exceptionally detailed, transparent, and engaging sound. All dCS products are carefully engineered to provide the highest level of transparency, and the Lina Headphone Amplifier is no exception. It effortlessly reveals the subtle nuances and emotional depth of the music, providing a highly immersive listening experience.
With the ability to drive a wide range of headphones, the amplifier is a versatile choice for listeners with a vast collection of headphones. The amp is designed to emphasize the unique sound signature of your headphones—be it neutral, warm, bright, cool, or anything in between. The amplifier's ability to maintain a clear and precise sound across the entire frequency range is awe-inspiring, with a well-controlled bass, natural midrange, and extended detailed treble. Pair the Lina Headphone Amplifier with a capable streamer for the ultimate headfi setup and enjoy hi-res audio from music streaming services like Deezer, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, internet radio, and more. When paired with the Lina Network DAC, a Roon Ready unit compatible with Apple AirPlay and UPnP, you can use the dCS Mosaic App to control the DAC’s playback and enjoy music in various audio formats.
Fully-Balanced Class-AB Design
The dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier features a fully balanced, Class-AB design that ensures a clean, open, transparent, and dynamic sound for the best possible headphone playback. The unit's Class AB output stage allows it to maintain a high degree of linearity and efficiency. The design offers the fidelity of a Class-A system with the thermal properties of a Class-B—meaning less heat generation, higher efficiency, and no crossover distortion. To achieve this, dCS developed a DC servo system with a novel error correction technique, allowing for a clear signal path and correction of incoming voltages at source. You get all the benefits of a Class-A system while keeping heat and power usage under control.
To effectively drive a vast range of headphones with different impedances, the Lina Headphone Amplifier was specifically designed to cope with varying loads and deliver outstanding performance across the board. 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.
Tailor made
Every element of Lina’s design - from its touch screen UI to its tactile painted coating, understated aesthetic, and slimline, modular form - has been carefully considered and developed with headphone listeners in mind. This ‘purpose built’ ethos extends not just to external features, but internal circuitry, components and software. Unique in its design, sound and capabilities, it combines our renowned playback technologies with a wealth of innovations developed exclusively for the headfi community.
dCS: Crafting Audio Perfection
Renowned British manufacturer, dCS Audio has been producing high-end digital audio equipment for over 30 years. dCS consistently pushes the boundaries of digital audio, introducing groundbreaking innovations such as the world's first 24-bit DAC, dCS Ring DAC, and the first-ever DSD-capable DAC. The company's product lines, which include the Vivaldi, Rossini, dCS Bartók Apex, and Debussy series, are highly sought after by audiophiles and music enthusiasts worldwide for professional and home use. Each series offers a range of meticulously crafted components, including CD/SACD transports, DACs, upsampling converters, master clocks, and network audio players, all designed to work together seamlessly to deliver an immersive listening experience with exceptional playback.
What's in the Box?
- dCS LINA Headphone Amplifier
- Power cable (2m)
- Power Link cable (0.5m)
- Getting Started Guide
- Welcome letter
FAQ
Does the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier have a balanced design?
Yes, the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier features a fully-balanced Class-AB design that ensures a clean, transparent, and dynamic sound.
Can the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier be used with other DACs?
While the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier is designed to complement the dCS Lina Network DAC, it can be used with other DACs and audio sources that have balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA outputs.
What is the impedance range of headphones that the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier can drive?
The dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier is designed to drive a wide range of headphones, including high-impedance planar-magnetic headphones and highly sensitive IEMs, but the exact impedance range is not specified.
Is the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier Roon Ready?
No, the dCS Lina Headphone Amplifier is not Roon Ready, but the dCS Lina DAC is a Roon Ready and Roon Tested device.
| Power Link (synchronising on/off state with other products) | 2 x RJ45 |
|---|---|
| Electronics | Pure analogue design |
| Automatic voltage switching | |
| Analogue Inputs | 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 96kΩ | |
| Power | 90-120v & 230-240v, 50/60Hz nominal |
| Frequency Response | 1Hz-100kHz better than +0/-3dB |
| THD+N | <0.005% @ 1kHz 6V rms balanced output into 30Ω (80kHz bandwidth) |
| Channel Separation | Balanced input to balanced output into 30Ω. Better than 100dB @ 1kHz. Better than 80dB, 20Hz–20kHz. |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 110dB 20Hz-20kHz A-weighted(referenced to 6V rms balanced input and output) |
| Headphone Outputs | 1 x dual 3-pin balanced XLR, right and left channel |
| 1 x single 4-pin balanced XLR | |
| 1 x single .” (6.35mm) headphone jack | |
| Power Output | Balanced 2W into 30Ω |
| Balanced 0.48W into 300Ω | |
| Unbalanced 1.6W into 30Ω | |
| Unbalanced 0.2W into 300Ω | |
| Certification | CE / EMC |
| CCC | |
| KC | |
| FCC | |
| Included with your Lina Headphone Amplifier | Headphone Amplifier |
| Headphone Amplifier |