The Anthem STR integrated is still going to benefit from a good DAC, this coming from a happy STR owner. I’m currently using a Bel Canto e.One Stream feeding a W4S DAC-2DSDse and love the sound. I briefly tried the Node2i but returned it as I preferred the sound of my MacBook Pro and the Anthems internal DAC over that of the Node. I try not to overthink the whole digital conversion process of the Anthem, as the benefits I gain from the room correction and subwoofer integration far outweighs any possible signal degradation inherent in the digitizing process. YMMV |
Thanks for the input.. I think i agree with you and all, but I can't get past spending Lumin T2 money, then having my Anthem just reconfigure the Lumin's great signal and sending it through it's process. I'm thinking I should have saved money and not paid for a streamer/dac and just gone with a streamer.
I don't see how the Anthem DOESN'T disconbobulate, rip apart, render null, the Lumin's dac flavor.
So ultimately, I'm paying thousands for this Lumin dac just to have it trumped by my Anthem's dac in the end.
I wish i could not think about it but I need to consider my pocketbook and be wise here too. |
Did you try setting the T2 to low output from normal? The normal voltage of 6 volts was too much for my processor, and made it sound harsh and distorted. I switched to low, which is 4 volts, and it was much better.
|
The Node 2i is a solid choice generally at its price point but in your case given your budget and your experience with a good streamer, I think you'll be happy with it only if you upgrade the power supply. This makes a substantial difference for the Node 2i as the crappy SMPS it has from the factory is really holding it back (it sounds a lot better just using a better SMPS like an ifi). You can go from high two figures for a quality Chinese LPS all the way up to something top of the line like the Paul Hynes SR4 which is mid three figures. To use a new PS you'll need to swap out the PS board in the Node 2i (10 min of work with a screwdriver). |
If you are running the LUMIN’s analog out into the Anthem, you could try the SPDIF out or USB out, and set the streamer to “pass through” the digital signal to get a very similar experience to the U1 MinI or U1. |
rockrider, yeah I think i'll play around with that for a while.
I think most people would be very "irked" to know their $$$$ streamer dac is being reprocessed and you're now hearing two dacs.
Also, I think Anthem recommends NOT doing this which tells me there's something nefarious going on in the signal path.
|
The Anthem is a nice piece, and ARC is kind of cool, but it doesn't sound natural to me when engaged. If you can't bypass all that crap in the Anthem, I would consider a different integrated that lets you enjoy the high quality source you have rather than downgrade your source. |
big_greg I can bypass it all... But I can't use bass management or ARC if I do.
|
The bottom line with the STR is whether or not you’re happy with the end product, I happen to be ok with all the internal machinations. The internal DAC in the STR integrated is pretty decent, but I had an appreciable increase in SQ when I upgraded my digital sources, regardless of what was happening internally with the STR. There’s a lot of people out there with good gear who are feeding that gear through some type of dsp and are quite happy with the results. To the OP, by your logic I wouldn’t invest much in a turntable or cartridge either, nor buy any LP that was digitally mastered. |
@dtximages What kind of subwoofers do you use? They typically provide controls to allow you to shape their sound. I use 4 subwoofers and don't use any type of bass management. Of course using multiple subs helps eliminate the need for those controls. |
@big_greg I have 2 SVS SB16s and 2 SVS SB2000s. Love the 4 subs but the sb2000s are really for experimental use and fun. Those will either be sold or go to a second room soon.
But yes, I can tweak the subs in the app. It's just more manual and I like having the peace of mind that ARC gives me. When I tune the subs, it's normally on a small selection of music. Tuning with a much larger sample size of music takes much more time and I end up going back n forth second guessing.
Also, it's a PITA having to switch subs in the app, change setting, then go back to the other sub to tweak it too.. I wish there was a faster/better way to tweak in the SVS app where all subs show up on the volume, phase, polarity, and xover tabs within the app. |
@dtximages If you use all 4 subs, you're going to have a lot less issues with bass management, basically set your levels and crossover points, make sure nothing is out of phase, and you should have great bass. That's probably over-simplifying a little, it takes some time spent listening and tweaking a bit to get things exactly where you want them.
I have two SB13 Ultras and two Rythmik F25s. I don't even have an app, just the plate amplifier controls! |
@big_greg yeah it's definitely smoother with 4 but ensuring they're all in phase is the tough part.... Because, you're never sure which subs are out of phase.. Normally one or two are in phase with the speakers and slightly out of phase with the other subs etc... Getting EVERYTHING in phase is very difficult. |
Continuation of my previous post....
so you end up saying "ok i think that probably sounds best." Listen to the next song, nope! Something's wrong.. Tweak adjust... Find the new perfect setting just question it constantly.
The thing I've found with 4 subs there are less problems, but the existing problems at 4x worse. |
