- Thread Author
- #141
Mono and stereo review of Lumin X1 Part 1:
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2018/09/lumin-x-1-audiophile-network-streamer.html
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2018/09/lumin-x-1-audiophile-network-streamer.html
Lumin X1
- Thread starter wklie
- Start date
Wonderful review! :thumbsup:
Peter, may I ask you something please?
It seems the DAC holds its own in the company of some of the world's best DACs.
So I suppose this can be your only DAC in a high end stereo system.
Yet I see so little digital inputs.
Or am I mistaken?
(I see only USB, no optical or RCA).
Peter, may I ask you something please?
It seems the DAC holds its own in the company of some of the world's best DACs.
So I suppose this can be your only DAC in a high end stereo system.
Yet I see so little digital inputs.
Or am I mistaken?
(I see only USB, no optical or RCA).
- Thread Author
- #145
Sorry, no.
Although you can find other brands of DAC (e.g. Esoteric N-01 / N-05) that have digital audio input for connecting to a cable TV box for 2-channel output, ideally the cable TV box should be connected to an AV receiver for 5.1 channel output.
Although you can find other brands of DAC (e.g. Esoteric N-01 / N-05) that have digital audio input for connecting to a cable TV box for 2-channel output, ideally the cable TV box should be connected to an AV receiver for 5.1 channel output.
I am a huge Lumin fan and an even bigger Peter fan. But as someone whose music space is also an A/V space, TBH, the lack of a Lumin optical in was one of the reasons I switched to MSB. From time to time I like watching music videos on YouTube and I need an optical in for that.
Re: Lumin X1 Flagship Roon Ready Network Player
For viewings, I solved the problem with a dedicated DAC (Chord 2Qute - not expensive), using a regular optic cable from my TV box to my DAC for bridging, keeping out electrical pollutants coming from my home cinema circuit devices.
In my opinion, this is the beauty of a streamer like Lumin X1: The source is inside, ensuring the best technical integration to the internal DAC. Furthermore, if you chose the optical network input, the network signal is by definition electrically isolated.
Envoyé de mon LG-H933 en utilisant Tapatalk
For viewings, I solved the problem with a dedicated DAC (Chord 2Qute - not expensive), using a regular optic cable from my TV box to my DAC for bridging, keeping out electrical pollutants coming from my home cinema circuit devices.
In my opinion, this is the beauty of a streamer like Lumin X1: The source is inside, ensuring the best technical integration to the internal DAC. Furthermore, if you chose the optical network input, the network signal is by definition electrically isolated.
Envoyé de mon LG-H933 en utilisant Tapatalk
I'm trying to figure out if the (very expensive) X1 will be on par or better than a U1 mini + any other DAC in the $10K-$12K range ? Or a U1 and any other DAC in the $8K range. I really like the sound of my D2 but am very ready to experiment with higher end digital input systems. I'm building a nice library of DSD classical files and would like to squeeze every bit of audio wonder out of my new system. It seems difficult to audition these expensive pieces, although my dealer is trying to get an X1 for me to demo at home. I don't like the idea of buying a $14K piece of equipment and then sending it back. What is the norm for demoing higher end stuff ?
I wouldn't worry too much with the demo. It's not more complicated for the merchant than for a cheaper product. Moreover, the X1 is not more complicated to test than the D2.
If you have a lot of DSD files, it's even more interesting. But the first thing: In order to take advantage from a Hi Res Files collection on any Lumin, a NAS is crucial (Ex Synology 718+). The speed is downright tenfold and the quality wins. I do not recommend the USB input at all.
I don't know if the step between he D1 and the D2 is very high, but it's the case between the D1 and the X1. I'm particularly impressed with the 16 bit files re-sampling. The D1 is musical, but the X1 still more musical, very colorful. The imaging is the stongest upgrade. Obviously, it is more stable and much faster. I prefere the streamer and the DAC all integrated and isolated into one box. It's an high quality integration and I'm very satisfied. A "tic" noise between random resampled tracks has been remove with the new firmware version. I can't ask for more.
Envoyé de mon SM-T820 en utilisant Tapatalk
Jack
Active member
If you are in the stage of discovery where you want to "experiment" with higher end DAC's I would buy the U1 Mini to use as the transport so you have less tied up in it. Another alternative to the U1's is the Aries G1 which is about the same price as the Mini and streamer only. Auralic has it's own "software based variation" of MQA based on their years as one of the original members of the MQA group. I have used both and honestly can't tell the difference but haven't put that much time into a dedicated comparison. All I know is that it unfolds the same titles to the same resolutions as the Bridge II and the D1.
Jack
Active member
Also if I remember correctly from your posts here and other forums pretty much all of your gear is brand new so if I was you I would wait until I had 250+ hours on this set up before I started looking to bring in other parts for comparison. If you have the option to run it all in 24/7 then it will only take a couple of weeks but if not could be well after the first of the year. Patience will save you a lot of money and aggravation.
Good advice again Jack. Patience .... not one of my strengths. But I'm trying
. I've had the D2 about a month, but the amp and speakers are only one week old and have been running close to 14 hours a day... so almost 100 hours so far.Jack
Active member
From what I know of your current gear you seem to have a fairly balanced setup. The dominant factor, the B&W's, are slightly to the right(forward/detail) side of neutral and the Mc, Moon and Wolfson based Lumin are to the left(warm) side so when it is all broken in together you may find that your ears are happy even if your desire to experiment is not satisfied. The D Series Lumin's do nothing wrong. They sound great and just work plus as a bonus you get Peter to work out any issues you have. Be careful of the "upgrade bug" just because you can as most times it doesn't work out the way you thought it would. Also be wary of people who rave about new gear the moment they get it because the average Audiophile doesn't want to admit he made a mistake especially if he bragged about a purchase before he received it and hooked it up. He may very well list it quietly on Audiogon and move on and if you bought based on his recommendation then you are stuck trying to sell it too.
Thanks again ! If I follow my past patterns, I will get this system to a particular point and never touch it again. These are the first upgrades that I've done in 15-20 years and I'm old enough now that they are probably the last
.There are some reasons why I need to switch my attention permanently away from audiophile pursuits in the next few weeks. I never planned on it being a hobby. If I try a new Streamer/DAC combo and it demonstrably sounds price proportionately "better" (and just as warm or warmer), I'll keep it and be done.