The Lumin X1 was discussed a lot in the Best High End DAC thread but I have yet to see a mention of the X1 connected by the
fibre optical input. It cost about $200 to buy a network switch with Optical and maybe another $100 to connect this to the X1 from the switch with fibre and the connectors.
It seems to me the goal of dedicated audio streaming servers (computers) is to lower RF noise, using an optimized computer for very low noise and maybe some horsepower for DSP/upsampling options. So I can understand why people praise them so much. However, if the fibre optical input of the X1 is supposed to be the best way to stream data because it eliminates RF noise since this noise cannot travel on fibre optical wire. Then is a expensive dedicated audio server really needed for a DAC with fibre optical input? Only person that I have seen address this is the owner of the ComuterAudiophile web site on his review of the Lumin X1.
I am not saying that the Lumin X1 is the best sounding DAC but I am wondering if it the best streaming DAC. I am thinking of getting this DAC just for the optical streaming feature so I can eliminate boxes. I would use a cheapo computer, running ROON, somewhere on my network (not necessarily in the same room as the audio system).
The other option I was considering was a optical Rendu from Sonore but that adds another box and the data signal eventually goes back to USB when going into a non-Lumin X1 DAC. However, this option does open up the choice of DACs if the Lumin X1 is not your type of flavour.
It also seems like most are saying that USB DAC streaming input sounds better in most DACs than RJ45 Ethernet DAC streaming input, for example Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. I look forward to the day when all (or more) DACs have fibre optical input.
It seems to me the goal of dedicated audio streaming servers (computers) is to lower RF noise, using an optimized computer for very low noise and maybe some horsepower for DSP/upsampling options. So I can understand why people praise them so much. However, if the fibre optical input of the X1 is supposed to be the best way to stream data because it eliminates RF noise since this noise cannot travel on fibre optical wire. Then is a expensive dedicated audio server really needed for a DAC with fibre optical input? Only person that I have seen address this is the owner of the ComuterAudiophile web site on his review of the Lumin X1.
I am not saying that the Lumin X1 is the best sounding DAC but I am wondering if it the best streaming DAC. I am thinking of getting this DAC just for the optical streaming feature so I can eliminate boxes. I would use a cheapo computer, running ROON, somewhere on my network (not necessarily in the same room as the audio system).
The other option I was considering was a optical Rendu from Sonore but that adds another box and the data signal eventually goes back to USB when going into a non-Lumin X1 DAC. However, this option does open up the choice of DACs if the Lumin X1 is not your type of flavour.
It also seems like most are saying that USB DAC streaming input sounds better in most DACs than RJ45 Ethernet DAC streaming input, for example Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. I look forward to the day when all (or more) DACs have fibre optical input.