Does Lumin x1 needs a dac ? does a good dac will improve it ?

@haimr 

Instead of selling your LuminX1, at a reduced  price ; You should , maybe look for

the DAC you are thinking about ( Terminator 2  ) on the used market . And connect

it to your LuminX1 via the digital output.Then decide if you like it.

Otherwise , you will have to buy a streamer  with your new DAC.

Just my two cents.

Enjoy

@maxwave,

For the passive switch box, I purchased a Kramer Electronics VS-4X.  I really was reticent on adding this, but with my home theater processor in the system and my Vinnie Rossi not having HTB, my choices came down to disconnecting and connecting XLR cables to my active crossover every time I changed to home theater and again back to 2-channel system, replace/remove my Vinnie Rossi unit, or go to a passive switch box.   I had read of another Lumin user using the Kramer unit and did not notice any degradation, so I decided to try it.

I do believe that everything we insert into our audio systems have some influence, so am in the camp that everything matters.  However, we may or may not personally detect an audible difference.   I did not immediately notice a difference, but also admit I did not continue to try to critically test listen on various music selections and resolutions for this.   Basically, I wanted the switch box to be an acceptable solution, and this could have affected my opinion.   However, it was still a kludge, though better than manually switching cables out constantly.  

Before the Vinnie Rossi L2 DHT Signature, I had a VR LIO and had Vinnie configure an HTB for me.  However, he would not do so on the Signature with concerns it could negatively affect audio results.  I do find it interesting that he once again is making that available for your new BRAMA--gorgeous looking unit.  I would think some form of bypass is a favored market customer feature option that can be done very well.  My Mola-Mola Makua allows programming on each input (other than the DAC module inputs) for Line, Phono, or Direct, where Direct is a programmed pass through that disables volume control of the preamp, and should be used only with sources that are volume controlled.

@haimr,

I think you are going to be very pleasantly surprised as you continue to accumulate playing hours on the X1.   You do have the opportunity to test X1 direct with no preamp using Leedh before making preamp decision.  I would caution to thoroughly read the Lumin App instructions and postings by wklie, who is Peter Lie, who is LUMIN Firmware Lead.   He routinely posts on a number of forums, though I do not recall seeing him here.  Audio Sharks has a specific Lumin forum, and he is quite active there.   He is an excellent resource and also a pipeline for possible feature and software enhancements on the Lumin platform.

The primary caution with Leedh involves the dual volume settings and control on the App when you disable Leedh option.  You then can be at 100% volume rather than the reduced percentage you set when you configure Leedh.  Unexpected 100% volume can be dangerous to your speakers and your hearing.  

I was asked about cabling on my X1.  Admittedly, I have been relatively modest on cable expenditures.   I am currently running fiber optic ethernet to the X1 from a PF Buffalo modded switch. For power cord, I am currently using a Triode Wire Labs Digital American to the power supply.   I commonly trial existing power cords to new locations when I add a new piece of equipment and/or new power cord.   Previously, I had an Audio Sensibility Signature V2 power cord with the X1, but moved that to the Makua.   For analog XLR, I am running an experiment.   Prior I had tried Audio Sensibility Signature Silver XLR, but moved it to the connecting cable to my active crossover from preamp.   Prior to getting my Antipodes K50 server player and PF Buffalo, I had to reorganize equipment positions to accommodate.  My XLRs from DACs had been 1m Triode Wire Labs.  Repositioning equipment meant that 1 meter was not long enough for all pieces.  I had done an experiment on AES/EBU out from the K50 using a Mogami AES/EBU Redmond fabricated for me years ago--actually 4 of them.   I was happily surprised how it sounded from the K50.  These are longer than 1 meter and I tried using them as analog XLR output cables.   I use Mogami Golds for much of my home theater XLRs.   The AES/EBU cables had no prior hours on 3 of them and short run time on the other.  The initial perception with practically no run time was a bit bright and edgy but improving as I left in.   I then connected my Triode Wire Labs to the Mogami AES/EBU coming from both X1 and DirectStream DACs as last cable to the preamp.   The results for me have been very good.   It is my opinion that the last section of cable has the largest sound influence of the cable flavor, and XLR terminations make for an easy connection.  I have yet to reverse the Triode Wire Labs and AES/EBU cable locations for the X1 primarily because it is a pain to access the cable connection locations on the X1 due to the "roof" over them and I have liked current sound.   Writing this will probably spur me to try it and compare.  

I suspect many of you will scoff at what I tried, but it is an easy experiment using all analog XLRs, all AES/EBUs, or a combo.   For high end priced interconnects, length gets very expensive and long ones may not resell well.  It is my opinion you can add much of the sound signature by using short one at end connected to a less expensive cable when you need length.    I am not saying that the sound signature would be exactly the same as just one longer interconnect, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised what you can get trying this with various cables.

@azwill  "It is my opinion you can add much of the sound signature by using short one at end connected to a less expensive cable when you need length."

This is so mad it might just work! Take it a step further and you could have Kubala Sonsa on the pre amp end, Transparent in the middle and Tara Labs on the source end :)

Well very few use a complete loom of one brand.

@azwill  Wow , thanks a lot a lot and a lot, you are defiantly a shark in high end. Thanks for all the effort and all the info.