DCS LINA User manual

LINA Network DAC
User Guide
DCS321671 - Rev1.0

2
Your guide to LINA
This User Guide is designed to help you experience the full
potential of your dCS LINA Network DAC.
Inside, you’ll find advice on how to set up, install, use and care
for your system. We ask that you read it carefully before
getting started. If you require further information or support,
you can contact us at dcsaudio.com/contact.
We hope you enjoy listening, and are delighted to welcome
you to the dCS community.
LINA Network DAC User Guide

Document information
Published on: 16/03/2022
Document ID: DCS321671 - Rev1.0
Copyright
Copyright © 2022 Data Conversion Systems Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice, and whilst it is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for errors.
dCS is Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Company registered in England No. 2072115.
This product incorporates the following dCS proprietary technology: Ring DAC™
dCS and Ring DAC™are registered trademarks of Data Conversion Systems Ltd.
Other product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are the
property of their owners. They are used only for explanation, without intent to infringe.
Intended purpose
This document advises users how to set up, use and configure the product.
Conventions in this document
This document uses the following safety notices and tips:
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in moderate injury, damage the
product, or lead to loss of data.
NOTICE
Indicates an important situation which, if not avoided, may seriously impair operations.
Additional information relating to the current section.
LINA Network DAC User Guide
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Contents
Safety 6
Getting started 8
What's in the box 8
Where to place the LINA Network DAC 8
Recommended cables and connectors 8
Overview 10
Front 10
Rear 12
Setting up 16
Connecting the power supply 16
Switching the unit on and off 16
Connecting the LINA range 17
Connecting audio source equipment 19
Connecting integrated amplifiers and preamplifiers 21
Connecting to your network 21
Connecting a computer 22
Clocking 23
Using Power Link 25
dCSMosaic 26
Using the LINA Network DAC 27
Changing the source input 27
Playing music with Apple AirPlay 27
Playing music with Spotify Connect 28
Playing music from streaming services 28
About MQA files 28
Using Roon 29
Playing music from a USB storage device 29
Settings 31
Navigating the menu 31
Menu overview 32
Changing the shortcut buttons 33
Changing the crossfeed setting 33
Changing the PCM filter 34
Changing the DSD filter 34
Changing the upsampling mode 35
Changing the absolute phase of analogue outputs 35
Setting the clocking sync mode 35
Enabling and disabling Dual AES 36
LINA Network DAC User Guide

Setting the USB audio class 36
Enabling and disabling the buffer 37
Changing the line output level 38
Turning off the display 38
Changing the display brightness 38
Resetting to factory conditions 38
Testing for swapped channels 39
Conditioning the unit 39
Viewing information about the unit 40
Updating the software 40
Maintenance 41
Replacing a blown mains fuse 41
Cleaning the unit 42
Specifications 43
Support 45
Limited warranty 46
General information 46
Warranty exclusions 46
Obtaining service 47
Operating conditions 47
Compliance 48
Product label 48
FCC compliance statement 49
EU Declaration of Conformity 49
Korea Class B compliance statement 50
Made for iPhone® and iPad® 50
Works with Apple Airplay 50
LINA Network DAC User Guide
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Safety
To prevent personal injury or damage to the unit, read the following safety messages before
use.
CAUTION
Read and comply with all safety messages and instructions in this document.
• Follow the cleaning instructions in this document.
• Only install the unit according to the instructions in this document.
• Do not spill liquid on the unit or allow it to get wet.
• Do not install the unit near heat sources.
• Use only the attachments and accessories specified by dCS.
CAUTION
To prevent the risk of electric shock and ensure the best audio performance, connect
the unit to mains earth (ground) using the correct power cable.
• A grounding type plug has two blades and a grounding prong, which is
provided for safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, contact
a qualified electrician.
• Do not use the power cable if it is damaged.
• If this unit is not being used for a long period of time, disconnect the unit
from the power supply.
• During lightning storms, disconnect the unit from the power supply to
prevent power surges.
CAUTION
The safety covers on the unit protect you from electric shock.
• Do not remove the safety covers from the unit.
• If you do remove the safety covers from the unit, it invalidates the warranty.
NOTICE
If the unit is damaged, do not use it and contact a qualified service engineer. Possible
causes of damage to the unit include the following:
• Liquid is spilled on the unit.
• A heavy object falls on the unit.
• The unit is exposed to rain or moisture.
• The unit is dropped.
Safety
LINA Network DAC User Guide

NOTICE
Damage caused to the unit by misuse of a mains regenerator or by a malfunctioning mains
regenerator is not covered by the warranty.
• We do not recommend the use of mains regenerators.
• If you want to use a mains regenerator with variable voltage and frequency, set
the voltage to match your local voltage. Set the frequency to either 50Hz or 60Hz.
• Do not change the output voltage of the mains generator while it is connected to
the unit.
NOTICE
If the unit is cold and is moved into a warm room, condensation may form inside the unit.
Condensation may interfere with the normal operation of the unit. If the unit has been kept
somewhere cold, remove all packaging and leave it for 1-2 hours before using it to allow it
to reach room temperature.
Safety
LINA Network DAC User Guide
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Getting started
What's in the box
The box contains the following items:
dCS LINA Network DAC Power cable (2m) 2x XLR cable (0.5m)
Ethernet cable (2m) Power Link cable (0.5m) Getting Started Guide
Spotify flyer Welcome letter Display cleaning cloth
If an item is missing from the box, contact your fulfilment centre.
We recommend that you keep the original packaging of the unit. If you need to order
replacement packaging, contact your fulfilment centre.
Where to place the LINA Network DAC
To get the best sound quality:
• You can stack units vertically or place them next to each other.
• Ensure you can easily connect LINA Network DAC to other units of your system.
• If units are stacked vertically, place the bottom unit on a firm, vibration-free base.
To prevent overheating, we recommend that you leave some space around the units
to allow for ventilation.
Recommended cables and connectors
We recommend the following cables and connectors for use with the unit. We supply
"commercial" cables with the unit, but you can use cables and connectors of your preferred
quality.
Getting started
LINA Network DAC User Guide

NOTICE
Heavy or inflexible power cables may damage the power socket on the unit.
Some “audiophile” cables have unusual grounding or screening arrangements, or
they don't have the correct characteristic impedance. If you have difficulty using
such cables but the problem disappears when you use standard cables, contact
your cable manufacturer.
Digital inputs
Input Recommended cable and connector
AES / EBU 110Ωscreened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male 3way XLR connector and one
female 3way XLR connector.
Word Clock
/ SPDIF
BNC
75Ωcoax cables fitted with BNC connectors.
SPDIF RCA 75Ωcoax cables fitted with RCA phono connectors.
Toslink Toslink fibre-optic cables.
Network RJ45 Ethernet cable.
USB Standard screened USB 2.0 cable fitted with one type ‘A’ connector and one type ‘B’
connector. The internal screen must be connected at both ends.
The Word Clock sockets require a simple DC-coupled connection. If you use
capacitor-coupled cables or cables with built-in networks, the interfaces may not
work correctly.
Analogue outputs
Output Recommended cable and connector
Balanced
output
Screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male 3way XLR connector and one
female 3way XLR connector.
Unbalanced
outputs
Coax cables fitted with RCA phono connectors.
Getting started
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Overview
Front
Item Description
1Display Displays menus and information about the current input, for example, track name
and artist.
2Touch
button
Tap to select the option shown in the display above the button.
• On the home screen, tap to use the assigned shortcut.
• In a menu, tap to move up a level or exit the menu.
3Touch
button
Tap to select the option shown in the display above the button.
• On the home screen, tap to use the assigned shortcut.
• In a menu, tap to go to the previous page.
4 Power
button
To switch on or enter sleep mode, press briefly.
To switch off, press and hold until POWEROFF is displayed.
5Touch
button
Tap to select the option shown in the display above the button.
• On the home screen, tap to use the assigned shortcut.
• In a menu, tap to go to the next page.
6Touch
button
Tap to select the option shown in the display above the button.
• On the home screen, tap to open the main menu. Touch and hold to change the
function of the three shortcut buttons.
► For more information, see "Changing the shortcut buttons" on page33.
• In a menu, tap to select a menu item or change a setting.
Overview
LINA Network DAC User Guide

Display
05:12 Artist Name
Track Title
384/24
QOBUZ
Description
1Input source
2Status icons
► For more information, see "Status icons" on the next page.
3Data rate (word length and sample rate for PCM, or DSD or DSDx2)
4Track title*
5Play/Pause icon and track elapsed time*
6Artist name*
7Menu, settings and shortcuts. To select the option, tap the relevant touch button.
If an option is not available, the icon is greyed out.
*Displayed only when streaming from network or USB2
Overview
LINA Network DAC User Guide
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Status icons
Status icons are shown in the top-right of the home screen.
Icon Description
Filter setting when receiving PCM data
Filter setting when receiving DSD data
Clocking sync mode: Master
Clocking sync mode: Audio
/ / Clocking sync mode: Word Clock (Auto, 1 or 2)
Phase is normal
Phase is inverted
Rear
Item Description
1 UNBAL.LEFT
UNBAL.RIGHT
Stereo unbalanced RCA analogue outputs. Connects the unit to an
integrated amplifier or preamplifier.
2 BAL.LEFT
BAL.RIGHT
Stereo balanced XLR analogue outputs. Connects the unit to an
integrated amplifier or preamplifier.
3 SPDIF1 RCA digital input. Connects the unit to a digital audio source.
4 AES1
AES2
XLR digital inputs. Connects the unit to a digital audio source, such as a
CD transport or upsampler.
Overview
LINA Network DAC User Guide

Item Description
5 SPDIF2 BNC digital input. Connects the unit to a digital audio source, such as a
CD transport or upsampler.
6 USB2 USB-A digital input. Connects the unit to a USB flash drive.
7 USB1 USB-B digital input. Connects the unit to a computer or sound server.
8 NETWORK RJ45 network input. Connects the unit to the local network or the
Internet.
9 POWERLINK RJ45 input. Connects the unit to other LINA units to enable Power Link.
► For more information, see "Using Power Link" on page25.
10 WORDCLOCK IN1 Word clock input 1. A 75ΩBNC connector.
Connects the unit to an external clock. Word clock is only used for
synchronisation and does not carry digital audio data.
11 WORDCLOCK IN2 Word clock input 2. A 75ΩBNC connector.
Connects the unit to an external clock. Word clock is only used for
synchronisation and does not carry digital audio data.
12 SPDIF3 Fibre optic Toslink input. Connects the unit to a digital audio source,
such as a satellite receiver.
13 Power socket, fuse,
and power switch
Power is connected via a standard IEC320 connector, with a power
switch and a fuse holder.
Analogue outputs
The balanced and unbalanced outputs on the unit are independent, which allows you to
connect each output to a different amplifier.
Connect balanced outputs to true balanced inputs only. The outputs are electronically
balanced and floating, which reduces hum or interference picked up by the cable. There are
three connections:
• Pin 1: Screen / ground
• Pin 2: Signal+
• Pin 3: Signal-
The balanced outputs do not work correctly when they are connected to an
unbalanced input.
Digital inputs
AES digital inputs
The AES1 and AES2 inputs individually accept PCM data at up to 192kS/s, or DSD/64 in DoP
format.
If Dual AES is enabled, you can use AES1 and AES2 together as a Dual AES pair. Dual AES
supports the following data formats:
• PCM data (24/88.2 to 24/384)
Overview
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• dCS-encrypted DSD data from Vivaldi, Rossini, Scarlatti, and Paganini Transports
• DoP data (DSD/64 or DSD/128 over PCM)
► For more information, see "Enabling and disabling Dual AES" on page36.
Dual AES works correctly only when the source generates Dual AES data. It is not the
same as single AES data connected to both AES1 and AES2 .
SPDIF digital inputs
The SPDIF1 and SPDIF2 inputs accept PCM data at up to 192kS/s, or DSD/64 in DoP format.
SPDIF3 is a Toslink optical receiver that accepts PCM data at up to 96kS/s.
USB sockets
The USB1 socket is a galvanically isolated ‘B’ type socket. It accepts audio data from a
Windows™PC, Apple Mac™, or sound server.
The USB1 socket can operate in two audio classes:
• Class 1, which accepts data at up to 96kS/s. No additional drivers need to be
installed on the connected computer.
• Class 2, which accepts data at up to 384kS/s, or DSD/64 or DSD/128 in DoP format.
A dCS USB Class2 driver needs to be installed on computers running Windows™
versions before Windows™10 Creator's Update. No additional driver needs to be
installed on Apple desktops and notebooks running macOS10.6.3 or above.
The USB1 socket has been tested with various PCM streaming programs on
Windows™10, Windows™8.1, and macOS10.11. However, the socket may not work
with all devices, operating systems, or software.
► For more information, see "Setting the USB audio class" on page36.
The USB2 socket is an ‘A’ type socket. It can stream PCM music files in formats at up to 24 bits
/ 384 kS/s or DSD/128. The connected USB device must be both of the following:
• A USB flash drive or low-powered USB hard drive, with the suggested maximum size of
32GB
• In FAT32 or unencrypted NTFS format
Both USB sockets work in true asynchronous USB mode, which ensures the unit is not affected
by clock jitter from connected devices.
Word clock inputs
The WORDCLOCK IN1 and WORDCLOCK IN2 sockets accept standard word clock at 44.1, 48,
88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz from a Master Clock or the source equipment.
The unit can only lock when the clock frequency is the same as the data rate, or an exact
multiple of the data rate.
The sockets are used only for synchronisation and do not carry digital audio data.
Overview
LINA Network DAC User Guide

Network socket
The NETWORK socket is an RJ45 connection that allows you to stream music from the local
network or the Internet. The unit streams music files at up to 24 bits / 384 kS/s, or DSD/64, or
DSD/128. The network interface runs in asynchronous mode and is galvanically isolated.
NOTICE
The metal contacts of the NETWORK socket can be damaged by accidentally inserting the
wrong connector. When the socket is not in use, replace the dust cover.
Overview
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Setting up
Connecting the power supply
Use the supplied power cable to connect your LINA Network DAC to the power supply.
1. At the rear of the unit, insert the power cable into the power socket.
2. Connect the plug to a power supply.
Switching the unit on and off
At the rear of the unit, there is a power rocker switch next to the power cable. There is also a
power button on the front panel.
To switch on the unit:
1. On the rear of the unit, press the power rocker switch to the I position.
2. On the front of the unit, press the Power button.
Setting up
LINA Network DAC User Guide

To switch off the unit:
• Press and hold the Power button until POWEROFF is displayed.
Using sleep mode
Sleep mode suspends the unit in its current state, but keeps it ready for quick use.
• To enter sleep mode, briefly press the Power button.
The display turns off.
• To exit sleep mode, press the Power button again.
To prevent screen burn-in of the display, switch the unit off or put it in sleep mode
when not in use.
Connecting the LINA range
To connect the LINA Network DAC, LINA Master Clock and LINA Headphone Amplifier together:
1. Position the LINA range.
2. Connect the LINA Network DAC to the LINA Headphone Amplifier.
3. Connect the LINA Master Clock to the LINA Network DAC.
1. Positioning the LINA range
You can position the units in one of the following ways:
• Place the units side by side.
• Stack the units vertically in the following order:
• LINA Headphone Amplifier at the bottom
• LINA Master Clock in the middle
• LINA Network DAC on top
To prevent overheating, we recommend that you leave some space around the units
to allow for ventilation.
Setting up
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2. Connecting the LINA Network DAC to the LINA Headphone Amplifier
You can connect the LINA Network DAC to the LINA Headphone Amplifier using the balanced
XLR sockets.
1. Using two balanced XLR cables, connect the BAL.LEFT and BAL.RIGHT outputs on the
LINA Network DAC to the BAL.LEFT and BAL.RIGHT inputs on the LINA Headphone
Amplifier.
2. On the LINA Headphone Amplifier, choose the unbuffered XLR input. If the status
indicator is not white, press the Power/Input button until it changes to white.
Setting up
LINA Network DAC User Guide

3. Connecting the LINA Master Clock to the LINA Network DAC
You can lock the network and USB inputs on the LINA Network DAC to the LINA Master Clock.
1. Switch on the LINA Network DAC and the LINA Master Clock.
2. On the LINA Network DAC, choose the network or USB input.
► For more information, see "Changing the source input" on page27.
3. Using two BNC cables, connect the WORDCLOCK output sockets on the LINA Master
Clock to the WORDCLOCK input sockets on the LINA Network DAC.
4. Set the clocking sync mode on the LINA Network DAC to Auto .
► For more information, see "Setting the clocking sync mode" on page35.
The LINA Network DAC selects the appropriate clock input and locks to it.
If you lock an AES or SPDIF input on the LINA Network DAC to the LINA Master Clock,
the source equipment will not be locked to the Clock, resulting in periodic clicks,
dropouts or distortion.
To use the LINA Network DAC in this way, use source equipment that has a word
clock input and a Master Clock with extra outputs.
Connecting audio source equipment
You can use the input sockets on the rear of the LINA Network DAC to connect audio
equipment to the unit, for example, CD transports, DVD players, or upsamplers.
There are two types of input sockets on the unit:
• AES (Audio Engineering Society)
• SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface)
Setting up
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If you lock an AES or SPDIF input on the LINA Network DAC to the LINA Master Clock,
the source equipment will not be locked to the Clock, resulting in periodic clicks,
dropouts or distortion.
To use the LINA Network DAC in this way, use source equipment that has a word
clock input and a Master Clock with extra outputs.
Connecting a single AES or SPDIF input
Most digital audio source equipment is fitted with at least one digital output, which is usually
an RCAphono connector. Satellite receivers usually have a Toslink optical output.
1. At the rear of the LINA Network DAC, connect a suitable cable to one of the following
sockets:
• AES1
• AES2
• SPDIF1
• SPDIF2
• SPDIF3
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the source equipment.
3. Switch on the source equipment.
4. If possible, play music on the source equipment to generate an audio signal.
5. Change the source input on the unit.
► For more information, see "Changing the source input" on page27.
After you have selected the input, the display shows the bit rate and format of the
current music.
Connecting a Dual AES input
Some audio equipment, for example, upsamplers or sound servers, can output in Dual AES.
Dual AES features lower jitter than single AES or SPDIF.
Some audio equipment has two single AES outputs that carry identical data. This is
not the same as Dual AES, and will not give a good stereo image if you set Dual AES
mode manually. To avoid this, we recommend using the Auto setting for Dual AES.
1. Using XLR cables, connect your LINA Network DAC to the source equipment. Ensure
the cables are not swapped.
• Connect the AES1 (or AESA) output on the source equipment to the AES1 socket
on the unit.
• Connect the AES2 (or AESB) output on the source equipment to the AES2
socket on the unit.
2. Switch on the source equipment.
3. If possible, play music on the source equipment to generate an audio signal.
4. Ensure that Dual AES is enabled on the unit.
► For more information, see "Enabling and disabling Dual AES" on page36.
5. Change the source input on the unit to DUAL AES.
Setting up
LINA Network DAC User Guide