PS Direct Stream Vs. Lumin X 1 Sound quality difference?

Now this is very interesting. At least to me.

I placed a Perfect Path Tech (PPT) Omega mat and some of the cards on the Lumin X1 and on the external power supply. I placed them on it from the day I received the X1.

I noticed that I was getting a upper/mid high frequency glare and limited lower bass response, but I thought it was due for the need of more break in time.

Today, I removed the PPT Omega mat and the cards from the X1 and to my surprise the sound quality blossomed and became much more enjoyable and smooth.

Come to think of it I also did not place a PPT Omega mat under my former streamer- Bryston BDP-2.

So, since the X1 also contains a dac with lundal transformers it seems that what ever the PPT Omega mat / cards are made of, it conflicts with the Lumin X1.


ozzy

Hello Ozzy,

 

I got my X1 last Thursday so I am in a similar situation.

It does not sound good yet, it's really harsh and sometimes even unpleasant on some recordings. Luckily I had my dealer's demo unit on loan in my system before I ordered it, so I know what to expect in a couple of weeks time :)

Last night I put the Quadraspire Qplus Reference Support under its feet and it got even worse. Previously these were under the U1 Mini and they improved the sound. I guess during this break in time I should just leave it alone and wait patiently with any change in the system...

 

And which SR Orange fuse did you order? Lumin uses F2.0A fuses (fast blow) but my dealer says the SR fuses tend to blow earlier than normal fuses so I should get the 2.5A or the 3.15A version.

 

Zsolt

kzs70,

Congrats on your purchase, I ordered my X1 on blind faith, not the best way. I am using Stillpoints Ultra SS under mine, later on I will experiment with different footers.

I have now about 150 hours on the X1 and it is mellowing out more and more daily. I’ve been playing Qoboz HR around the clock.
It did start out pretty harsh. Funny that the PPT Omega mats affected the sound so much, but they do have a magnetic backing so that may be part of the issue. Or it may be whatever the PPT are made of affects the streaming and/or the electronic components inside the X1.

I ordered the SR orange 2.5A slow blow, because just as you stated the SR tend to blow faster than others.

ozzy

Well its now been 8 days. Close to 200 hours since starting the Lumin X1. At this point, the soundstage has moved way back and way wide. I have never experienced this even with all the add on devices I had used. That is; with my Bryston BDP-2/ PS Audio Dac combo i.e. Uptone ISO Regen, SOtM usb, Core Power perfect usb. etc. With that combo there was a nice left, right and center, but with the Lumin X1 there is an all encompassing soundstage. Sorta like using headphones.

kzs70,
Not sure where you are in the breakin in process with your X1 but hang in there it does change quite a bit.

Still haven’t received the SR fuse yet. Darn USPS...

ozzy

I have also recently swapped power cord from another component.  It did change the presentation, so this may be something worth exploring after major hour break-in.