2. digital
  3. 156600-138128

Lumin D2 or U1 Mini

I am abot to pull the trigger on either of those 2 units.

Currently I have a Bluesound 2i feeding a Benchmarch DAC3 HGC. Very happy with the sound. As i am having a 2nd Hifi setup (active speakers) I am looking for a second transport.

I had my eyes set on the Lumin U1 Mini. However for a few Dollars more I can get a Lumin D2, which offer a built in DAC and also has a digital output.

What is likely timsound better or is the better propositio? The U1 Mini feeding the Benchmark or the 2.

I listen to Tidal Hifi, iTunes Music, my own Flac Library which sits in a Synology NAS, and I listen a lot to TuneIn Radio.

My Speakers are Dynaudio Sapphire driven by 2 AVM Monoblocks.

Thanks for your valued input.
jorgjean
surfmuz
399 posts
 
Get Lumin D2. If you listen to Tidal Hifi, D2 will give you full MQA unfolding.... your Benchmark DAC3 HGC is pretty good DAC, but it won’t unfold Tidal MQA.... U1 is only transport streamer so you will need external MQA DAC with it in case to decode Tidal HiFi..... D2 has that MQA DAC on board already. 
jorgjean OP
76 posts
 
Good Point. The D2 also gives you the flexibility as standalone. Or even use the digital out into the Benchmark.  How good is the sound though from the D2? Comparable than running the U1 Mini through the Benchmark? Is DSD capability important in real live?
sjspin
1 posts
 
I started with a D2 and switched to the mini with a r2r Dac.  I believe the mini is essentially a U1 in the D2 housing.  It offers better technology.  
I found the D2 to be overly bright with some vocals and too analytical.  The U1 with my dac sounds very close to my analog side.  I’m finally satisfied with the digital side of my system. 
jorgjean OP
76 posts
 
Thanks for that input. You must have a pretty good analog gear!
jorgjean OP
76 posts
 
I thought i should report back my first impressions with the Lumin.
I got the Lumin U1 Mini a few days ago and hooked it up to the Benchmark 3 HGC. Speakers are Dynaudio Sapphire fired by AVM M30 Monoblocks. 
Connection through USB and SPDIF Coax sounded the same, as expected. The sound is clear and clean. As compared to the Bluesound Node 2i the Lumin reveals One more layer of music, it is more detailed, bass has more shape, no blurring. I find the Bluesound having a bit more drive and overall a bit more relaxed, suited more to Rock and Pop. For more complex music the Lumin has the Edge over the Bluesound. 

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