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Lumin D2 or Aurender N100H

Both are discontinued 2015-2018 models and currently selling at a similar price ($1200) used.  Features wise: 

  1. - Digital output: BNC only for D2; USB 2.0 only for N100H
  2. - Power supply: 35VA external LPS for D2; 35VA internal LPS for N100H
  3. - Build-in SSD: None for D2; 2TB for N100H
  4. - Build-in DAC: Wolfson dac for D2; none for N100H
  5. ...

I'm less concerned about the differences in limited features and more curious about your preference or pick in terms of (1) sound quality, (2) app usability as a streamer and (3) should I be saving up (up to $2500) for newer models if the upgrade in sound is justifiable? I’d appreciate your thoughts, especially from those with experience using both.

 

lanx0003
lanx0003 OP
821 posts
 

Just found a blind test on Node and D2 w/ SBooster LPS, which exactly the same streamer setup I have an eye on.  With his friends five of them conclude there is no sonic difference bet. Node and D2 heard from the system he has for the audition, in terms of soundstage, treble, midrange and bass.  Although not expensive, I think this is a decent system that is capable of revealing details. Yes?

Krell 300i amp
B&W 801 D4
Kimber carbon cable 11 Gauge
All power plugs are audio quest hurricane
All interconnects are audio quest fire

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/blind-test-3000-lumin-d2-with-sbooster-sounds-the-same-as-a-600-bluesound-node/187123/57

My impression on the lower end (sub 1k) streamers is Node is at most on par with Ifi Zen Streamer that I am very familiar with. If Lumin D2 does not sound better, what is the point of upgrading?

aldnorab
171 posts
 

Love my Aurender N200. It sounds amazing and the app is very easy to use. One of my requirements was that the component didn't feel like using a computer. The Aurender does a great job of operating like a piece of hifi equipment. Highly recommend Aurender and the N100 is a great place to start. I'd prefer USB to BNC connector. Had a Sonic Frontiers DAC and there were far less cable choices than USB.

Thanks,

aldnorab 

ketchup
698 posts
 

I bought a used N100SC a few years ago and had a ton of issues with it at first, but it has been 100% rock solid and reliable lately.  I'm not sure if it's because of software updates or a new router I had Verizon install, but something clearly changed and I no longer want to throw it in the trash.  I also installed a DH Labs cat 8 cable in place of a junk cable I had lying around which may have had something to do with it.  Maybe it was a combination. 

lanx0003 OP
821 posts
 

After hearing complaints on the use of N100, I decided to jump on the higher model N150 and 'almost' won the bid (around 2k).  I have seen the pricedrop but the market supply of used N150 stayed low.  

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,920 posts
 

Go for the Aurender. Some of the reasons why…

Aurender is a streamer only unit that utilizes a fairly large caching area and that helps with getting the signal as clean as possible out to the DAC; it has a USB output which means it will rely mostly on the processing inside the DAC; it has a lot more user friendly UI (Lumin is horrible in this regard)

Lumin D2 is a streamer with built in DAC that is why it only has spdif out. If you only need a streamer then get the N150

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