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Is the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge or Lumin D2 good buys in 2021?

...only because we’re so close to 2021.

I just bought both devices, have them running direct to Elac Navis ARF-51’s (which are amazing btw).  Both devices sound good, are close in price, and have similar functionality (yes the BB has more ins).  
Display on the Lumin is straight out of 2012, Mytek‘s is not much better.  Mconnect is absolute trash, while the Lumin app is decent.  Really like the physical volume knob of the Mytek, overall aesthetics, and WiFi connectivity.

Both are dated devices.  Are either of these devices good buys in 2021?  If so, which one? What about service life?

helloitsben
helloitsben OP
14 posts
 
@erik_squires I just listed it. Get it now in time for the holidays and enjoy the sh*t out of its dac!!! 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa75f7-mytek-brooklyn-bridge-music-servers-docks
highpeakrider
43 posts
 
The D2 will sound better with age, just leave it streaming music for a few weeks.
It also has a small screen as the info is on the control app, it also has an option to turn if off.
joms
3 posts
 
Id separate the streamer from the DAC if it was me. 

I'd go for the lumin u1 mini + denafrips ares/pontus

or 

sonore opticalrendu/ultrarendu + denafrips ares/pontus

note: this is based on my research only as i'm also looking for a good streamer/dac
diamonddupree's avatar
diamonddupree
75 posts
 
@helloitsben, re: Roon, it runs on top of Tidal. I am a longtime Tidal user and still love the service. But run Roon on top of it and you’ll rarely ever find a need to use the Tidal app again. 
I use a LUMIN U2 mini as a streamer and a Brooklyn DAC+ as my pre and it’s an excellent combo. Separating the streamer from the DAC gives you more options in the long run. 
veerossi
145 posts
 
If you are leaning towards Lumin, I should probably share my less than stellar experience with their app.
Almost every time I use it, it will back out of Tidal, or the Lumin app will crash altogether. Yessss, it’s updated, unplugged/rebooted (network & streamer), hard wired connection, new switch, router, NAS, modem, Supra Ethernet cable blah blah. No change. I have Bluesound equipment in another system (on the same network) with absolutely zero problems- even when I use Tidal through their app. Opinions may differ, but for me, Bluesound’s app is where it’s at! Reliable and easy to see info with an intuitive user interface. Lumin’s app is nowhere near as reliable as or intuitive as Bluesound’s app (for me). I’ve tried different, older iPads, newer iPads, iPhone 6, new iPhone12pro: nothing has made a difference. Lumin app does not work well with Tidal (for me). I went so far as to purchase a 2nd Lumin streamer to see if that was the problem. No change. Im not a horizontal-scrollin’ Roon fan at all, but I might be soon. I’ve just about had it with the slow, laggy and crash-prone Lumin app. 
YRMV
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