@glennewdick Good to hear that the U2 mini is no slouch - used prices are not crazy, good feature set, and external power supply could be a good future update. Good point that for streamer fidelity, once you get to a certain level, diminishing returns kick in. Of course, this applies to all audio equipment :) And once I find that, also good point that it makes sense to pick the one that has the best software and usability. On this forum member's systems go from the most basic to the incredibly expensive, so that "certain level" of fidelity is different for all of us.
Streamer Fidelity: Aurender N200 vs A200 and Lumin U2 vs T3
Has anyone compared the streamer fidelity of an Aurender N200 vs A200, and/or Lumin U2 vs T3? I am interested in knowing how close or how far are the streamers only, in terms of audio fidelity, for these two sets of units. Based on price alone one would think the pure streamers have better fidelity, and that's why I was hoping to hear from users who have done actual comparisons in their own systems. I know comparisons will be subjective and system/room/ear dependent, and I am still interested :) One of the reasons for asking is that the streamer/dac units have better prices in the used market. Of course Aurender and Lumin are different types of products, and the purpose of this thread is not to compare the differences between them.
Showing 6 responses by classic8
Hi @audiotroy, I appreciate your recommendation. Unfortunately my budget is around $3K, and that's why I am targeting the Aurender and Lumin models I mentioned above (used market). I am sure the 432evo units are awesome! |
Hi @glennewdick, thanks for sharing your experience. Looks like I posted my latest question before seeing your post. So when you compared both units, you used the USB out of the A10 to the same DAC you used with the U2? |
@glennewdick Thanks for providing more information. Just to make sure, are you referring to the full blown Lumin U2 or the U2 mini? I ask because you mentioned the U2 was way cheaper, but MSRP is $5K for the U2 vs $6.5K for either Aurender A200 or N200. I am on a search for a better streamer, and maybe streamer/server combo. I am fairly new at this hobby, and after using various RPI4 based streamers (MoOde by the way is excellent software), my ears were opened when I heard the built in streamer in my Marantz SACD 30n player (I now use it more as a streamer than a disc player). Even though the Marantz/Denon HEOS software is not the best, I control the SACD through my favorite Logitech Media Server controller app which works great IMHO (I run LMS as my music server). So for me, as the search for a better fidelity (and dedicated) streamer continues, bonus points are awarded to those units that support LMS/Squeeze. I know Aurender is a closed system and does not support LMS/Squeeze, and have read some users have had luck with Lumin. Have read Bryston BDP-3 may still support it, and of course Innous and Sotm. |
@audphile1 I agree that dedicated is better. My thinking behind this thread was that if the streamer/dac units were "close enough" (which of course is very subjective) to the streamer only units, then maybe due to the lower used prices of the former I could find something that would work well with my budget. |