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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 5 responses by fsgattuso

fsgattuso OP
29 posts
 
Thank you for the comments.  To Audiotroy, I just did a plug n play with the Lumin, did not play with a set up menu nor do I know how. Is it in the Lumin app? I am using Wi-Fi, cannot direct connect with Ethernet. I am using the stock power cable.  I am running Roon but when I first set it up was using the Lumin app and set the volume all the way up but found it less harsh with the Lumin volume set to 3/4, but this was before burn in. I can go back and turn it up all the way.
fsgattuso OP
29 posts
 
To Larryi, I am streaming Tidal, MQA when available.  Regarding this, I am not noticing much of a difference between 16/44 and MQA through the Lumin and the old CD player sounds better than both.  Maybe this is indicative of a problem with how I am using the Lumin? I have not ripped any CDs, I avoided the need to do that by buying the Muse.
fsgattuso OP
29 posts
 
Any thoughts about an upgrade to the T2? What does it do better than the D2?
fsgattuso OP
29 posts
 
To Audiotroy,

I cannot find where to engage DSD transcoding?  There is no manual and on the Lumin website for set up of this product I do not see where to do this.  Can you explain?  Maybe I'll call Lumin.  I am using the stock power cord. I am using Wi-Fi not ethernet because an ethernet cable would have to be about 40 feet long and require holes drilled through walls and a floor.  The retainer recommended TP link range extender that I use, which provides a strong signal.  I read in some posts here about an sbooster power supply so I am looking into that, but still considering reading in the D2 for a T2.

Besides this, there seems to be no clear answer through all the many responses on here.  Some think the difference is in the digital phase, others think its the analogue. But I appreciate all the responses and will keep reading them.
fsgattuso OP
29 posts
 
Thank you Jackd and Audiotroy!  Switching the transcodimg to DSD absolutely made a difference amd brings the sound so close to what I like from my Muse Erato that its no longer a complaint.  With A/B testing the two now it is difficult to hear a difference.  But when A/B testing the PCM setting with the DSD setting the difference is there. Again, the PCM serting was notba bad sound, I just liked the Muse Erato, and now the DSD setting, much better for my taste. But I saw a few people here comment or suggest adding a power supply from sbooster or another company I can't recall now, thoughts on that? Yes Audiotroy I owe you a beer!
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