Granted.....I haven't tried every network streamer on the market, but I recently upgraded to a Lumin U2 and I was amazed ("jaw dropping") at the sound quality difference it made. I considered a lot of things; Aurender, HiFi Rose, Esoteric, Gold Note, etc. but already having a DAC that I love (Lampizator Baltic 3) I did not need an "all in one" solution.
The soundstage width, height and depth all improved immensely. The air around instruments, the reverb, the dynamic punch and low end extension.....all dramatically improved.
My only complaint is that I found the Lumin iOS app to be counter intuitive and not the easiest to operate. I do also have a Room Remote app and am using my PC as the Roon Core server. I have heard that it may not sound as good (?) but haven't really spent that much time going back and forth as it sounds pretty darn good to me and I am enjoying the convenience of the Roon Remote app on my Dell laptop in the listening room.
At my age (61) being happy with what you have is my goal and I think I am there.
(But I wonder what a new reference preamplifier might do for my system.......?? Hmm.....)
New streamer
I recently opened a discussion on upgrading my DAC. I started at the beginning of that discussion, that I was a vinyl guy, but with my purchase of the Chord Qutest, I realized that digital music can be outstanding and want to now upgrade my Node.
That will provide 2 benefits: Maximizing my current systems digital, and allow me to move the Node & Schiit Modi Multibit 2 to the family room, a small HT setup with a Yamaha AVR driving a Goldenear soundbar. Streaming there is currently MusicCast using the AVR DAC. The improvement there should be very nice.
My 2 channel equipment is as follows:
Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar’s, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node w/Qubuz, Marantz CD6007, Chord Qutest. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.
My weakest link (I believe) is now my Node.
I don’t want or need amplification or volume control, ripping storage, nor an internal DAC. Sound signature should be neutral.
My budget is $2,500, but willing to spend less. My current favorites are:
Lumin U2 mini. Very well reviewed, beautiful, perfect form factor, good app & controllable via my Harmony One remote. It is currently my #1 choice.
Auralic Aris. If new, the G1.1, if used G2.0 or 2.1. Very well reviewed, good app, OK form factor, but not controllable via harmony.
Naim ND5 XS2. Considered the best high end streamer by What Hi Fi Would need to buy used to stay close to budget.
EverSolo DMP-A6. Included based upon reviews, but may not be a serious contender.
HiFi Rose RS250A. The streamer EverSolo seemed to copy
Aurender. Don’t think they have anything within my budget, but included for discussion.
LPS upgrade for Node. Included because I know it will come up. Plan to reuse my node downstairs, so out. Would prefer LPS upgrade for one of the above.
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
Showing 2 responses by avbronco32
@mclinnguy yes the PC I am using was my previous streamer. I should also point out however that there is an app available that works well as an app for the Lumin U2. |