Lumin U1 vs Lumin U1 mini + sbooster?

smodtactical, for a while I used a Waversa hub before the Lumin streamer.

I liked it for a while, but eventually I took it out and realized a bit of organic noise is actually good thing.

Goofyfoot, Lumin seems to be pretty good about supporting their hardware. They've added MQA and Leedh volume processing to even the discontinued D1.

@hubbman And upgrading the DC cable for the linear power supply should close the gap significantly. I went from stock belden cables to Neotech copper and there was performance jump.

Yes, you have to remove the switching power supply inside the U1 mini.

Then install a DC kit from audio sensibility so you can power it with an LPS. The LPS remains external. The kit comes with all of the instructions.

It's a little nerve racking since you have to cut the red wire inside the Lumin to remove the IEC. But overall, it's pretty simple, and you get a reference streamer at a fraction of the cost of a U1.

I use the U1 mini with a Black Cat Tron and Bakoon DAC 21, and this combination is just so musical and delivers so much insight into the music with finesse.

I remember the days when audiophiles said redbook CD didn’t have high enough of a sampling rate. Who knew we just didn’t have the right equipment to see what it could really do.

Audio sensibility sells a conversion kit for the U1 mini to run with linear power supplies other than the sbooster.

The kit has a 5.5 x 2.1mm DC socket.

I use it with an Uptone JS-2 LPS.

The U1 mini sounds fantastic in this setup.

I also ground the U1 mini with an Entreq Olympus minimus.

Goofyfoot, I understand the attachment to CDs. 

Streaming Tidal has a different sound than CD playback.

There are more variables to optimizing streaming. Many things we wouldn't initially think of.

Grounding the router with an Entreq box makes a big difference. And I run my router with the Uptone JS-2 LPS with a very good power cord that has noise absorption.

All of these upgrades will significantly improve the performance of streaming from the Lumin.

I use a Lumin as a streamer to my DAC.

There are other ways to increase the performance rather than going from a U1 mini to a U1.

The power cord will make a big difference.

Grounding the Lumin with an Entreq box will significantly lower the noise floor.

And when I upgraded the digital cable to a Black Cat Tron, the Lumin took a quantum leap.

Goofyfoot, unfortunately everything in the chain can make a significant difference.

I just upgraded from the D1 to U1 mini and it was quite the leap. I would have never imagined a streamer transport could make that much of a difference.

Even after my eye opening experience upgrading my digital cable to the Black Cat Tron, the mind seems to be quite unimaginative when it comes to these things.

Mrcyrpuz, after seeing what the Tron can do, I definitely would not skimp on the digital cable if I had a full size U1.

There is where a one box digital solution would make life a lot easier.

Goofyfoot, I wouldn't spend $6k for the U1.

U1 mini's are showing up used now for great prices. 

I have one with an Uptone linear power supply and it's fantastic. 

It's easily one of best bang for buck upgrades I've done.

If you're upgrading from a Mac mini, you will be very happy.

I'm using the mini with an Uptone JS-2.

It's grounded with an Olympus minimus.

And I use a Black Cat Tron digital cable.

It's absolutely fabulous. I'm sure the U1 is even better, or maybe a DCS bridge, but the mini in this setup is so good, I don't even care.

For anyone looking to get a mini, pick one up at the current used prices and you can't go wrong.

I use Black Cat Tron BNC to connect it to the DAC.

I also ground the mini via the RCA coaxial with an Entreq box.

I tried replacing the fuse on the LPS powering the U1 mini and that has made quite the difference.

I will also try a Farad Super 3 LPS with it.

Has anyone tried the SR orange fuse on the linear power supply for the U1 mini?

I’m kind of in shock how much of a difference this has made.

Way more PRAT, slam, dynamics, transparency.

The orange fuse is warm in the midrange.

It will be interesting if mrcyrpuz and others who compared the U1 to the mini with sbooster, tried upgrading the DC cable on the LPS powering the mini.

I am willing to bet upgrading the DC cable will close the gap significantly between the U1 and the mini.

I have done this for my U1 mini and it is very good.

The problem is any comparison between the U1 and mini will be highly dependent upon the DC cable and LPS for the mini.

I will say the mini is incredibly good with the right supporting network and grounding components.

Hubbman, are you running the U1 mini in stock form?

I have a modified U1 mini powered by an Uptone JS-2.

Upgraded Beeswax fuse and Ghent audio NRG DC cable. Grounded with an Entreq Olympus Minimus.

When I powered the JS-2 from an Isotek Genesis, the performance took a quantum leap. 

The U1 mini is very capable when you optimize the ancillary components around it.

But most people aren’t going to hear what it’s fully capable of in stock form.