D2 or U1 Mini

C

Cipper

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Sep 19, 2018
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I currently am using a Bluesound Node2 streamer and do enjoy some tracks through MQA. I recently purchased a Bryston BDA 3 Dac and I'm not sure if I should purchase the U1 and not have the final rendering done or purchase the D2?

I am primarily using Tidal and may think about downloading Hi Res files in the future.

Option 1: I keep my BDA and use it on Hi Res files in the future and plug my CD player into it.
Option 2: I get rid of the BDA and buy the D2 or even maybe the T1.

Would a better sounding DAC without MQA rendering give you better results then all in one D2?

System:
Bryston 4b3
Rogue Audio RP5 Pre-amp
Bryston BDA 3 Dac
Bluesound Node 2
Marantz 6005 CD Player
Goldnote PH10 and PSU Phono Pre-amp
Acoustic Solid/ Solid Wood Table with Dynavector 20x2 Cartridge
XLO Signature and BIS Maestro Cables

Thanks for your comments!
 
Welcome! If you're happy with the DAC, you could get the U1 mini. It (the mini) is $300 less than the D2. I'm all file playback (I have transports in most of the systems if someone comes over and plays a disc). If disc playing is going to be going on for a bit, then you're probably better off with a separate DAC.
 
Thanks Phil! I appreciate your comments. I would like to start getting into more file playback but would need to set up some sort of NAS drive.
 
I’m going with the U1 mini so I can use a variety of dacs.
 
What are your thoughts about MQA? Have you heard it hooked up to a non-MQA dac?
 
Cipper said:
What are your thoughts about MQA? Have you heard it hooked up to a non-MQA dac?
Click to expand...

I love MQA but not everyone will agree. If I remember correctly with the original U1, you are able to get the first unfold up 24/96 but my memory is a little foggy. With the D2 and other Lumins, you will get full MQA unfolding up to the maximum built into the file. The D2 and others is attractive because it’s an awesome all in one solution that sounds great. I like the flexibility of the U1 allowing me to use any dac but I think you sacrifice a little MQA resolution. Either way both are wonderful because no computer is needed, they offer frequent updates and have supported their products from day one. Few other manufacturers can claim that kind of record.
 
If you like blues, jazz, world music, and especially classical, I'd say: go with the U1 mini, keep your Bryston DAC and stream Qobuz as soon it is available in the US.
I use Tidal and Qobuz.
Qobuz has much more choice in all the styles I mentioned, but my mild OCD state tells me to keep Tidal as well, because some of its albums are not on Qobuz. :)
 
I mainly listen to Jazz, Classical,World and some Independent music. I'm sure one day Qobuz will be available for us and will more than likely subscribe to that as well. Cheers Bart and thanks for your thoughts!
 
joeinid said:
I love MQA but not everyone will agree. If I remember correctly with the original U1, you are able to get the first unfold up 24/96 but my memory is a little foggy. With the D2 and other Lumins, you will get full MQA unfolding up to the maximum built into the file. The D2 and others is attractive because it’s an awesome all in one solution that sounds great. I like the flexibility of the U1 allowing me to use any dac but I think you sacrifice a little MQA resolution. Either way both are wonderful because no computer is needed, they offer frequent updates and have supported their products from day one. Few other manufacturers can claim that kind of record.
Click to expand...
Joe - You are correct that the U1 and new U1 Mini will provide the first unfold of MQA (also known as MQA Core) which typically gets you to 24/88 or 24/96. Then if you connect a DAC which can provide MQA rendering (the second unfold) or full MQA decoding you would get full MQA resolution. Other Lumin products which include an onboard DAC give you full MQA decoding from their analog outputs.
 
Wondering... the Lumin D2 has the option to bypass the internal Dac and use an external one still providing the first unfold. So, can I use both analogue and digital outs hooked up at the same time and use the settings in the Lumin to have the option of using full MQA and switch to using the BDA 3? If so, then would I be correct in saying the U1 Mini would bring a better resolution then the D2 in non MQA mode?
 
Yes you can have them both connected at the same time. Peter recommends toggling the digital ouput off in App when not in use. The only output on the Mini likely to sound better than the coax on the D2 is the AES\EBU.
 
I have heard that the AES\EBU does give a better performance. As with anything there has to be some compromise. Thanks Jack.
 
Cipper said:
Wondering... the Lumin D2 has the option to bypass the internal Dac and use an external one still providing the first unfold. So, can I use both analogue and digital outs hooked up at the same time and use the settings in the Lumin to have the option of using full MQA and switch to using the BDA 3? If so, then would I be correct in saying the U1 Mini would bring a better resolution then the D2 in non MQA mode?
Click to expand...

Yes, Lumin D2 (and any Lumin player with analog outputs) can be chosen to output fully decoded (renderered) MQA to analog output, or the MQA Core (first unfold) to SPDIF to another DAC. In case of MQA or DSD, these outputs are not active simultaneously - but you may switch between analog or SPDIF to do some A/B comparison if you want to.

If you have a chance to listen to D2, see if you like it. If you like how your DAC sounds, get the U1 MINI. You'll have AES and USB outputs - see which sounds better in your setup. As a network transport U1 MINI is better than the D2.
 
Thanks Peter, from what I understand I will be able to have both analog and SPDIF connected but have to use the application software to change the setting to do an A/B comparison... right? Or do I have to physically plug and unplug the connections?
 
In case of Lumin D2 / D1 / T1 / A1 / S1:
- PCM will be output to both analog and SPDIF (note: X1 is different)
- DSD will be output to either analog or SPDIF
- MQA will be output to either analog or SPDIF

Selection of output is based on app setting only. There is no need to physically plug / unplug the connections.
 
So I am still undecided as to which Lumin product to go with. What would be the difference if I purchase a U1mini to my Bryston Dac vs. a D2 and bypassing the onboard Dac? Would it be the AES connection?
 
If you would rather use another DAC instead of D2 analog outputs for most types of music playback, you should get a U1 MINI. You can experiment with whether AES or USB sounds better (both are only available from a U1 / U1 MINI, not D2).
 
I am leaning more towards the U1 mini. Only compromise will be I will not get the full MQA unfold with my Bryston DAC. Thanks Peter.
 
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