Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/dcs-lina-network-dac-20-network-attached-dac

When you change pace to music of a more intimate, low-key nature, the Lina Network DAC follows suit, using its superb resolving qualities to present a soundstage with air and nuance. And it’s arguably here that the potential of dCS’s Ring DAC platform comes to the fore, bringing a naturalistic, organic feeling to the ethereal soundscapes of Bjork’s ‘Pagan Poetry’ [Vespertine, One Little Independent Records; 48kHz/16-bit]. Here the Icelandic singer’s voice is lathered in reverb, floating free of an instrumental background of keyboards and effects. It builds up, layer upon layer, until coming to a dead stop – Bjork is suddenly close-mic’d and alone, centre stage, and this change in presentation was delivered superbly.

It’s a performance of impressive authority, where detail retrieval and soundstaging aren’t exaggerated at the expense of the feel of the music. Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’ [Blue, Rhino/Warner; 192kHz/24-bit] ebbed and flowed beautifully, with no trace of sibilance or harshness to her high-flying vocals, and softly struck piano notes fading away with grace. The Lina Network DAC 2.0 might be designed for desktops and headphones, but its true destiny lies in partnership with larger systems.

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