dCS HEAD-FI DREAM

dCS is out to offer the head-fi community “the definitive system for headphone playback” with its latest product series, Lina. The all-new, three-strong component range comprises a dedicated network DAC, headphone amplifier and master clock, which can be purchased individually or as a complete system.

The concept for the Lina range originated from the development of the the UK-based company’s 2018-released Bartók, a hugely capable one-box music streamer, DAC and headphone amp that was designed for both headphone and speaker listening. During the journey to create Bartók, dCS engineers learnt a whole lot about amplification and playback — so much so that they have taken the next step by designing this dedicated headphone component range.

The Bartok was designed to support both headphone and stereo listening, and the feedback received from both the head-fi and hi-fi communities was hugely positive. Through making the system, dCS learned a great deal about headphone amplification and playback, and the unique requirements of headphone listeners. This experience, coupled with the Bartók’s success, inspired the leap to go one step further and create a new product range tailor-made for headphone listening. Lina is of course the fruit of that labour — the culmination of two years of development.

The brand says it has worked hard to deliver the same highly detailed, transparent and musical sound that people have come to expect, in a package that delivers new features and functions that reflect the differences in headphone versus two-channel listening. With that in mind, Lina introduces all-new electronic and mechanical designs, including circuitry that it says tested the limits of PCB design. A new touch screen UI is, if you like, the cherry on the proverbial.

George Poutakidis, Director of Addicted to Audio, the exclusive reseller of dCS Luna in Australia and New Zealand, says: “Head-fi customers will surely be excited to trial this world-leading technology built just for them. The dedication and passion out into this device comes through in its performance and design.”

The dCS Lina product line is now available, priced $20,000 (RRP) for the streaming DAC; $14,300 (RRP) for the headphone amp; and $11,500 (RRP) for the clock.

For more information, contact Addicted to Audio on (03) 9810 2900 or visit www.addictedtoaudio.com.au