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Why does my old CD player sound so much better than my new streamer?

Earlier this year I upgraded my system. Briefly, new Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP integrated, new Lumin D2 streamer/DAC, kept my Tekton speakers, bought a 10 year old Muse Erato CD player, new Nordost Red Dawn cables all around.  After plenty of break in, the Lumin D2 streaming Tidal, even 24/96, does not sound close to as good as the Muse Erato.  I understand the Muse was about $10k new years ago, I paid $650 for it on Audiogon, is that the difference? It replaced my Naim I had for 20+ years and I bought it on the chance I want to listen to something not on Tidal, but now I'm going to CDs when I want to sit and listen instead of streaming. I considered upgrading to the Lumin T2, but will that be more of the same Lumin sound, which is accurate but thin and a little cold compared to the Muse.  I like the Lumin when just letting Tidal shuffle music as I move around the house, but from the opening note in an A/B test the Muse just sounds so much warmer, live and simply more enjoyable. Any thoughts or suggestions?
fsgattuso

Showing 1 response by anwar

anwar
119 posts
 
I had the same problem where the streamer without DAC that I bought cannot match the SQ of my SACD player.  Streamer USB output was connected to USB DAC input of SACD player.  I compared playing ripped files inside streamer SSD vs SACD player playing discs.  My own reasoning - CD/SACD player has very short signal path internally, and a good player has very good power supply.

Since then, I have learnt a lot about computer audio that my DIY streamer SQ can match the SACD player SQ.  But this is a different topic, best discussed in Computer Audiophile forum, not here.

FYI Lumin D2 uses internal switching mode power supply.
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