Has anyone compared Lumin the U1 Mini to the U2 Mini?

Spending more than a few hundred on a server is a waste of money. All a server does is transfer files from a device to another device. No DAC converter is used! In fact when you use your phone to check your bank records you are using a server! Digital music is just binary-encoded data - just like bank records. No magic involved to justify spending four-figures + on a fancy server!

Buy an iFi Zen Stream and stop worrying!

I have a U1 Mini and it’s an excellent streamer. I went from AURALiC Aries G1 to Lumin and preferred the sound of Lumin.
 

In looking at new features in U2 Mini it’s mostly about processing and upsampling and new finish for the case. I never cared for the internal upsampling (capable of upsampling to DSD) to be honest so if you’re not planning on using this feature I’m not sure you’re going to hear any difference in sound. But only testing the two side by side is the only sure way to know. 

Thanks @audphile1 

That’s the information I was looking for. I doubt I’ll be upsampling anything.

JD

Jason have you done any comparisons of servers and if so please give examples.  

Jason have you done any comparisons of servers and if so please give examples.  
 

I think even I could answer that question…..

Not to high jack,  but does anyone know if Lumin devices can access my Vault 2i  music library through the network?  I am trying to narrow down my next streamer .

I cannot speak specifically to the Lumin, but my experience has been that double the cost and typically you get a large improvement in sound quality assuming the rest of your system is of similar or greater quality. Lumin is well regarded. It is extremely unlikely they would have two models without commiserate sound quality differences. If they did the forums and reviews would point it out.

I have experience with streamers at the $1K, $2K, $3K, $5K, $10K, and the most impressive streamer I have ever heard which has the same sound quality of my excellent analog rig the Aurrender W20SE… ($22K) I found the latter to be a bargain in terms of sound quality.. altough it is the most expensive component. You can see my systems under my ID.

https://soundrebels.com/lumin-u2-mini-english-ver/

Well there you go! The reviewer loved it and heard a substantial improvement over the U1 Mini. So could be worth a shot!!!

@audphile1 

“Well there you go! The reviewer loved it“

😆

My take away is that the U-2 mini is a natural progression with some updates over the U-1 mini, which I already own. I don't feel it is necessary to run out and replace mine with the newer one. But for someone who doesn't own either, the U-2 makes perfect sense. And I can attest that the original sounds darn good.

@ozzy62

So I have had the new Node N130 for five ish months and I’m already getting upgradeitis. For a few hundred, I can replace the power supply or for (insert dollar amount here) I can get? The U1 mini got a ton of good press and it was on my short list last year.

Maybe It’s time to start looking at the used U1 mini market.

I had a Node 2i before the Lumin and I think the U-1 was a very nice improvement. Using both with an external DAC of course.

@ozzy62 

It’s looking like I might be following you. The U2 mini is $2400 and I’m seeing U1 mini for less than half of that. Wife loves Amazon Music, but I’m guessing she can be persuaded to Tidal  or Qobuz.

Thanks for your input.

If you wouldn't mind sharing offline where you found one at that price, I'd appreciate it. My son has a Node and is interested in upgrading.

Wanted to add that I also had a Node 130 with upgraded power supply, and switched to the full Lumin U1 with the X1 PSU. It was a substantial upgrade across the board in terms of sound quality, and while I initially missed the ease of the BlueOS app, like a lot of things about the Lumin app more now.

Granted the Lumin setup is a lot more expensive, but I found one in mint condition used so deals are out there.

@ozzy62 

My bad,

When I did the search again it was for a M1 not a U1.