OK Friends.
You may remember my wet behind the ears post https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/are-super-expensive-streamers-really-worth-it
Well, folks It’s been a while since I first posted at the beginning of my journey down the Rabbit hole that is DAC’s & Streamers. I have decided that one could keep going and never reach the bottom. So I decided to click my heels and return to the real world.
I took on board many of the views and absorbed much of the advice in response to my original post and after doing a great deal more research and getting to listen to a fair few different combos DAC’s Streamers, DAC /Streamers. Albeit some at shows which is never the best idea. I have learned that many of the established principles of better Hifi applies just as much in the digital domain as within the analogue chain.
I also learned to put my analogue roots into temporary hibernation, realize that I knew even less about this mysterious world digital audio than I’d hoped and what I did know was often passively assimilated, sometimes assumed and often not really known.
I thought Id turn to the best arbiter of what suited me and would offer the best synergy in my system. I decided to employ the ears and emotions.
To that end I have listened to DAC’s, Streamers, DAC/Streamers across price bands in many combinations and yes of course, there is a huge difference in how these products sound. The differences are a lot tighter though, when you get into the higher end as compared to Mid Fi and the so called "Value" end.
I also realized that whilst it is possible to elevate a cheap streamer by using a relatively expensive DAC its has its limits, it is possible the other way around too. However, both routes offered potential for clever matching and upgrading, However neither it is a cheat to rival a true audiophile instrument.
I heard clearly why Power supplies matter so much in DAC’s and Streamers, I also learned that it becomes much tougher to rate DAC’s Streamers and Combos of the same combined standard. It seemed far more about a POV or the presentation and tonal balance, not that one type or combo was always objectively better than another
I eventually narrowed my search down to two combo Streamer DAC’s. The older but absolutely gorgeous looking Lumin X1 with its supremely quiet off board PSU and the very different but very impressive Aurrender A20.
Which brings me to my final and perhaps not so controversial decision. I found the Aurrender amazed with its energy and ability to dig deep, it was certainly no shrinking violet and an exciting, impressive listen.
The Lumin X1 seduced me with a magical tonal balance which I feel gave it an ease and ability to sound both refined and exciting and always it seems in the right measure. It’s a trait not often found in the uncompromising world of high end digital HIFI or any other HIFI domain for that matter. The way that the Lumin presented often left me speechless and its build quality totally blew me away.
In the final the final moments of appreciation I found that I couldn’t quite square away the look of the Aurrender and how it remined me of a small form factor desk-top PC which has cleverly incorporated a screen into the front of it.
What really was a contrast is how it looked on the inside, it was full of good power-supplies and reall nice quality components but within a seemingly congested environment. I thought, probably unkindly, it looked a bit like the inside of my gaming PC’s I used to build it seems every week!
It never really hit my spot in the way the Lumin did but if the Lumin was not in the picture I could have seen me taking a punt on it. It will be the right choice for many but not quite for me.
In contrast the Lumin was incredibly well laid out, so well, that it was just a stunning, beautiful thing to stare at. Maybe it deserved a Perspex window and some ambient lighting, so it could be seen. No! ok, I got carried away there. It just doesn’t need to self-publicize. You just know the moment you pick it up that this is a very serious instrument.
So, I guess for me as I worked my way through the equations, the Lumin X1 realized the most elegant solution and it wasn’t that close in the end. Somewhat unsurprisingly then, I chose a Pre-Loved Lumin X1 because nothing I heard even though the model is a few years old to me allowed me to be as emotional about digital music reproduction as the experience X1 afforded me. It shifted my paradigm more than I ever thought possible.
The X1 has something magical about its sound, I am not going to say the “X factor” I hear the disapproving groans!
So, let me just say it was described by the seller as a very special piece and now I truly understand. So unflustered, so relaxed though never slow or lazy or lacking detail. Even music that can confuse electronics with its layers, complexity and dynamics, it remains uncluttered and un-phased within its other-worldly black background.
Another lesser reason but already a good one, is that I don’t need the distraction of a massive tv screen between my speakers and felt that everything that has gone into this machine is based on the best principles of HIFI design. Even the one sop to convenience, the small but well-judged screen was just right and you decide whether it’s on or off.
I also realized just how ill-equipped my listening room is for optimizing my use of the X1. I have work out how to bring both optical and Cat cable connection neatly and elegantly to the unit in my listening room.
I am not intending to use Roon, I am intending to continue with Tidal and try out Qobuz.
Incidentally I have fiber into my home although like most of us, its CAT into the router and WIFI to everything else from there. I have a modern (less than a year old WIFI Router) The X1 supports optical fiber input via its own SFP port. Unsurprising then that my router does not support SFP.
So is it better to invest in a new router that offers SFP function, (I’d rather not as there are so many things in my home that are working well with it) or should I purchase a network switch that can be connected to the router using Cat cable and then SFP out, although that puts another piece of equipment in the chain.
I intend interchanging between optical and CAT cable until I decide which best suits my ears, although sub-consciously I fear I am already convincing myself that SFP/ optical will be the better option. So, would I be inviting noise loops if I connected both to the same switch to do A-B comparisons. Once I decide, I would disconnect one or other, only using it as a back-up connection.
To that end I Thank you for getting to the end of my diatribe. I would appreciate input, views and or advice on getting this beautiful piece hooked up to my router and in a way that gets the best out of it. particularly utilizing optical isolation.
