DAC/streamer combo with Tidal support

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vortrex

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I want to consolidate my current DAC and streamer into a single box. This will only be used to play Tidal in a headphone system. Any ideas besides the Lumin D2 and PS Audio DirectStream Junior? Looking to keep it in that price range. If you've heard the D2 vs the DirectStream Jr I would be interested in hearing your opinions.
 
vortrex said:
Any particular reason why you like it better than the DSJ? Without hearing either, I'm guessing the DSJ DAC is better but Lumin has better software?
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Sonic preference for me. Lumin’s also have very good resale value FWIW.


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If just for headphone listening have you considered Astell & Kern? They are able to hook up to your home network and has built in storage. It's more portable so you don't have to be tied down to one area all the time. They use a very good DAC chip. I heard the $1k & $3500 unit, on headphones I'm not familiar with, the sound reminded me a lot of the Direct Stream, neutral and detailed. I didn't have a long audition.

Just an option.
 
Mr Peabody said:
If just for headphone listening have you considered Astell & Kern? They are able to hook up to your home network and has built in storage. It's more portable so you don't have to be tied down to one area all the time. They use a very good DAC chip. I heard the $1k & $3500 unit, on headphones I'm not familiar with, the sound reminded me a lot of the Direct Stream, neutral and detailed. I didn't have a long audition.

Just an option.
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No I haven't. I already have a flagship headphone amp that I want to keep and prefer something not portable since I sit in one spot to listen with full size headphones.
 
I have the U1 and the DSD w/ Bridge II. As far as comparing the streaming part of things, to me, the Lumin is solidly above the DSD. U1 to the DSD over USB sounds far better to me than streaming direct to the Bridge II.

As far as the DAC part, well... the U1 has no DAC so I can't say! But I'm very happy with the DSD DAC in general.

The build quality of both is fantastic altho I give the Lumin the edge there.

Software-wise, an important part of the streaming experience, the Lumin app is far far far superior to the main app choices for DS like mControl.
 
jmusica said:
I have the U1 and the DSD w/ Bridge II. As far as comparing the streaming part of things, to me, the Lumin is solidly above the DSD. U1 to the DSD over USB sounds far better to me than streaming direct to the Bridge II.

As far as the DAC part, well... the U1 has no DAC so I can't say! But I'm very happy with the DSD DAC in general.

The build quality of both is fantastic altho I give the Lumin the edge there.

Software-wise, an important part of the streaming experience, the Lumin app is far far far superior to the main app choices for DS like mControl.
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Technically you can still use the Lumin app with the DSJ, if you run some other UPnP app on a computer on the network. I'm trying to keep a computer out of the mix though, otherwise I would use Roon. I wish there was some talk online about the D2. The only review I can find is in Dutch and there is no user talk about it at all it seems. I do like the size of the Lumin D2 better, but that's not enough to go on alone.
 
justubes said:
Are the digital out for the various lumin differ greatly in sound quality?
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Aside from Lumin U1, the design of the digital outputs for the other Lumin models are rather similar, but there are still differences in power supply.

A number of users bought Lumin D1 (now replaced by D2) to connect to their external DAC via SPDIF to enjoy the convenience of iPad control and streaming. To use USB connection, Lumin U1 is required.
 
Is the U1's digital outputs i.e spdif and aes very similar to the D1'S A1 etc. when used as a streamer to a external dac?

How about the new X1's digital outputs, will it be an improvement in design over the new range.

Also regarding Android control of Tidal, a search cannot be performed unless i use an ipad?

Is there an android app that can allow stream youtube music to the Lumin, like the Apple's Airplay?

Thanks
 
Specification wise the U1 SPDIF output is the same as those from other models. However, power supply and design differences can result in a difference in SQ.

X1 can output BNC-SPDIF and USB. Yes, it is an improvement due to improved power supply and hardware.

It's a known issue of the current Android app. We have newer betas that may fix it.

I know there are AirPlay sender and receiver apps on Android, but we never tried them and don't know how well they work with Lumin. Please buy/use an iPad.
 
Vortex, for your headphone use case:

- the Brinkmann Nyquist is a top shelve DAC
- streamer with USB and Ethernet input
- supports Tidal and other services
- all formats from low to hi-res PCM, native DSD and MQA

...and is a superb tubed headphone amp with volume control and IR remote.

My wild guess is this is the best performing product in the market for your use case, if you are willing to fork out the moolah.



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