Lumin U1 vs Lumin U1 mini + sbooster?

So the U1 Mini + S Booster finally found a new home, I though I would use it on my secondary rig but after getting used to the U1, there’s no way back to the Mini.

I’ve upgraded the power supply on my the U1 to the X1 power supply and the leap was once again drastic, the noise floor dropped and as a result, the background became darker which in turn made the stage wider and more cavernous, the bass became tighter and dug deeper, very well controlled, refined and life like midrange and treble. One noticeable thing with these improvements is that it feels like I can play the same tracks way louder than before without any hint of fatigue or ear piercing notes whatsoever.
Had the chance to A/B the U1+X1 power supply against the X1 digital section both outputting USB to a Chord M Scaler + Dave (later on a dCS Bartok) and there was no discernible difference.

To all U1 owners, if you want to get to the X1 digital section performance without dropping $13k, I highly recommend the X1 power supply for a “fraction” of the cost ($2.1k).

I wonder if LUMIN is going to provide a standalone DAC based on the X1 DAC...if they do, I’ll be all over that.

  

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 agree, the mini is almost unbeatable for the money and a few tweaks/upgrades can go a long way. 
As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters the most - it’s reasonable and fair to not care (and your wallet will be safe).

 I was just sharing another upgrade path for the U1 (not mini) owners to make another leap forward on the performance of that already awesome streamer.

A T2 sounds good but it’s dac is not even close to say a Denafrips terminator, or Holo springs kre May dac ,that can be plugged in 
at a later date ,my friend has the terminator it destroys the inner dac in theT2

Mike at Audio Arcon does the Sbooster upgrade and doesnot void the warrant 
You get discount on the Lumin ,not the booster and maybe a $50:charge.
I prefer a Good external dac much much better  . 

Amazing thread. Essentially no references to music. Just many unfounded opinions masquerading as facts.

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.

Question to everyone here using the Ui Mini with Booster (as I am).  Are you connecting to your DAC/preamp via USB or Dig coax?  

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.

Looking at the spec of the U1 and the mini on the Lumin site right now.

The only difference in the spec is the power supply and the higher PCM support of the U1.  

 

It would stand to reason that those who are saying that the added aftermarket power supply would get you damn near the performance of the U1 have a pretty solid case.  Yes, I have the U1 Mini with the Sbooster, and I'm very happy with the results when connected to my Bel Canto DAC. 

@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.

Despite what you might predict based on logical comparison of the specs, those that have actually compared the sound of the U1 Mini (now discontinued) with Sbooster to the U1 have found the latter to sound significantly better. Of course whether you'll consider the difference in performance to justify the price difference is ultimately a judgement call.

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.

Does anyone know what the technical differences are vs the U1 Mini
I have the U1 mini with S booster II and it is pretty nice.
I am thinking of upgrading, but not sure.
Thank you

Chiming in on the Lumin U1 Mini Vs. the U1 discussion.

I finally took delivery of my new Lumin U1, and I placed right next to my U1 Mini with the SBooster.

Both set ups were the same.  AES connection to my Holo Audio Spring DAC 3 KTE  Edition with preamp module, feeding directly into my PS Audio M1200 Mono Blocks, feeding my Focal Sopra 2's.  I mostly used Qobuz and my Innuos ZEN Mini Mk3 for my legacy CD collection.

I listen to a lot of Electronic, House and Jazz music, Many of the tracks i listened to have been in the rotation for years, so I know them all very well.  

In a nut shell I have to completely agree with this assessment post by another poster here

. " The U1 is significantly better than the U1Mini, main differences being in the instrument separation, blacker background, deeper and wider stage, better resolution / clarity and overall a more refined presentation".

This was a complete no-brainer for me and the easiest comparison I've ever undertook.  As I mentioned, most of the tracks I listened to were well known to me, and I heard stuff in the background that I've never heard before!  The lyrics were more clear and intelligible than I've ever heard from my system.  The bass was bigger and more controlled than before as well.  I use two JL Audio Subs and a JL Audio CR-1 controller with my set up to supplement my Sopras,  and this new combination made the most of it. 

As others mentioned, I was also able to increase the volume on tracks without any glare what so ever.  Just more control over the content...period!  In my opinion, with my set up, I would say the U1 Mini is capable of about 75% of what the U1 can do.

What's most confusing about this comparison is the fact that these tow transports appear to be very close in spec on paper.  However, I can tell you with out any hesitation that the move from the U1 Mini to the U1 was an excellent investment in my system. Now I have to wonder.... what would the X-1 PSU do for the U1??? (this hobby is insane....)

The U1 can now be found on the used market for around 4K!  I would easily recommend this over the U2mini with booster.  

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.