grunge
the lumin d2 is excellent.... very balanced sound, very well built... sounds really outstanding through its balanced outs if you can take advantage of that
a node 2i feeding an outboard downstream dac should be able to match the overall SQ of the lumin, more different presentations and tonality than a clear better/worse, depending on choice of dac ... for example using a dac with tube output would likely add bigger/better imaging and richness and texture, but at a bit of loss of impact/drive and ultimate bass extension
with the gaincell as the dac downstream of the node i would give the lumin a slight edge i think, but i am not really sure
of course with the node + dac you have two boxes, two power cords, add’l cable whereas lumin is all self contained
the lumin d2 is excellent.... very balanced sound, very well built... sounds really outstanding through its balanced outs if you can take advantage of that
a node 2i feeding an outboard downstream dac should be able to match the overall SQ of the lumin, more different presentations and tonality than a clear better/worse, depending on choice of dac ... for example using a dac with tube output would likely add bigger/better imaging and richness and texture, but at a bit of loss of impact/drive and ultimate bass extension
with the gaincell as the dac downstream of the node i would give the lumin a slight edge i think, but i am not really sure
of course with the node + dac you have two boxes, two power cords, add’l cable whereas lumin is all self contained