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Streamer Advice Lumin, Auralic, Innuos Others?

I have just purchased a Denefrips Pontus DAC and will be looking to get into streaming. I am considering the Lumin U1 mini, the Auralic G1 and one of the Innuos either the Zen or Zen mini (if you upgrade the mini's power supply you are not far off in price to the Zen). I have also considered just getting a Bluesound to get my feet wet. I would like to eventually convert my CD collection, about 600 to storage but at least for the time being I will keep using a CD transport. I am a vinyl guy and play records at least 60% of the time. I don't know if a good streamer would change that. I have about 1000 LPs. I do have a nice idler drive TT setup. Space is getting to be a problem. Going forward I don't plan on buying more CDs and will limit LP purchases. I would have a max budget of $3K, but I really don't want to spend over $2Kish if I can help it. Any other suggestions or comments on the streamers I have mentioned? Also,I don't mind getting something less expensive or even used to get accustomed to this arena. On another note, looking at the Lumin D2 which sells for $2300 and has a DAC (but as I understand it, the DAC in the Lumin D2 would not be accessible to my CD transport) and the U1 Mini is $2K with no DAC. I have read the DAC in the D2 is older technology but am I looking at the same DACless product for $300 less with the U1 Mini? I am not chasing the holy grail, but would like something nice. Currently I am running a 300B tube amp and Zu Omen speakers just for reference.
hoopster

Showing 1 response by jond

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jond
5,986 posts
 
It sounds like you have a nice system and are approaching this the right way. I think all your possibles are good choices Auralic is a pioneering company in the streaming biz and makes good stuff, I've run their Aries Mini for the last 3 years and love it. Lumin is very highly regarded and Innuos  seems to be the hot new brand on the market.


Chances are you will love the sound of any of these streamers if I was you I would focus on features and interface. They all do basically the same thing but each has its own quirks, I personally love Auralic's LDS interface but have never experienced Lumin or Innuos. Look around on the websites and get a feel for what the apps look like and how they fit your listening habits.
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