Moving up from a Node 2i


I want to keep it between 1K and 1500.00, closer to a grand if at all possible. I don't care about onboard DACs, since I have a keen liking for mine. What is out there for a streamer, new or used, that will sound better than the Node when outputting to an external DAC? I like the functionality of the Node, don't want something with a sketchy user interface. But honestly, I think my old Allo Digione (Raspberry Pi) might have sounded a little more organic and fleshed out than the Node.

What say ye, Audiogon?

Oz



128x128ozzy62
well, ive heard the Lumin app does rival BluOS.
BluOS still does not handle Apple Music which is a bummer.

I also like the Node's "back-up" use of Bluetooth.
I live in downtown Chicago where Xfinity/Comcast internet is FAST...but over the past 6 months it has been going down a TON and it's nice to switch over to BT and keep listening.

The Lumin is THE only other product on my radar for a (DAC-less) streamer.

Come on, Ozzy, whats taking you so long...?...;-)
I'm using the Lumin app with my TEAC NT-505. It's not as intuitive as the bluesound app, but it is fairly easy to use and syncs up with the streamer right away and I don't have the connection issues that I often experienced with my bluesound node 2.
I love the “Dark” theme on the Lumin app. It’s cool that in the last couple of months they added Dark mode then Black Mode and White Mode. The multi-room support they just added sounds like a cool feature if you have multiple Lumin or Linn devices.
Really curious to know how you make out as I've been seriously considering moving from the Node 2i to the U1 Mini myself recently and this seems like the obvious step if you have a good DAC.
The Teac is definitely intriguing as an all in one as well been hearing good things about that piece.
Well it just arrived late yesterday. I found out that Lumin strongly recommends running minim server on the NAS, so I downloaded that and found my library while waiting on the delivery.

Setup was painless, even easier than the Node. I have it running in on repeat for a few days, but out of the box the sound was very good. I don't want to say too much too soon, but it sounds more dimensional than the Node, or another way to say it is perhaps "less flat". 

Still undecided on the Lumin control app. It's not bad, but not sure if it's as good as Bluos. After fiddling with it a little last night I was starting to get used to it, so time will tell.

Oz