Streamer/DAC

I had the Lumin D-2, A-1, U-1 mini (transport) and the flagship X-1.  Each step up was worth the money in SQ.  I love Lumin.  I had a Synology NAS connected to it with Tidal, Qobuz, MQA and Roon.  It is a very easy app to use.  You can find them on the used market.  I have now graduated to the Lampizator Pacific and soon to be Lampiztor Horizon.  I will say the Lumin X-1 was close to the Pacific in SQ at half the cost.  

Are you using the DAC inside the blue sound or the one that comes in the Macintosh C 53?

Don’t wreck the soup.

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I’m skeptical for spending up off brand with your DAC. You are quite welcome to try.

With a 9028 I can't believe that it sounds better than the 9038 I just got for $340.

Yes using DAC inside C53

Any of the Aurender music streamers would be a excellent sound upgrade, and yes it will be a huge difference compared to the BS.

https://aurender.com/n100/

Matt M

There are a million different options  and yes, an upgrade to your digital front end will improve things.  There are two approaches.  

1. Streamer - like the Bluesound and usually relies on its own software platform.  Lumin and several others take this approach.  You typically login to your streaming service and it usually can organize and access local files.  

2.  Server/Player - This takes the task of interfacing with the Web and managing local files and then unfolding/decompressing them as two completely separate and distinct jobs.  This is often accomplished with third party software like Roon, Squeeze or DLNA/UPnP software like Foobar or JRiver.  

The streamer approach tends to be less expensive and packs a lot of processing power into one box.  The local software interfaces with the web and unfolds or decompresses the files in real time. 

The server/player approach basically says different amounts of processing power are are required for different tasks.  Interfacing with the web and managing local files is processor intensive.  Unfolding/decompressing the files is not and a less powerful processor is preferable.  

And then some servers just assign both tasks to the same computer and you tend to get varying performance with different software solutions.  The server solution is most popular with Roon users as Roon is decidedly better when the tasks are split onto two devices.  

So basically, as you think about an upgrade, do you want to move to a manufacturers proprietary software?  Nothing wrong with this at all as these guys know there stuff.  You see that with Blue OS.  Or do you want to move to a 3rd Party software like Roon which gives you lots of flexibility across devices in the future?

I am a Roon user and am in the server/player camp.    A good server/player solution will run just under $4K (Roon Nucleus and Bricasti M5) and get you started with Roon. Roon is what was right for me.  

The right solution is the one that make sense to you, meets your space and aesthetic needs and delivers sound you think is great.  You are likely to get a bunch of other suggestions.  I would stop and think about what makes sense to you and works for you.  Then make a choice.  

Thanks Verdanaudio

a streamer  seems the best route to take. Especially, for me. Im not familiar server/player approach nor do I technically understand it and it seems like a lot of work.
I just want to buy something, plug it in, and Bamn, I’m happy. lol

I don’t know if this makes a difference but I only stream music

So, any additional suggestions

Depends on budget.  Lumin U1 would be what I would look at.  There software is good and it has the right feature set.  

@verdantaudio Very nicely written summary. Thank you.

Yes, impressive write up Thanks Verdantaudio

Sorry, one other question. Is there a big difference in the U1 vs the U1 mini. Which one should I consider

A bit late to this thread but if I was in the OP position I'd have the Bricasti M5 and a Roon Nucleus at the top of my list. Made in the good US of A and Bricasti's customer support is about as good as it gets.

Good luck whichever route you go.

Op, what is your goal?

Basic units like the Node 2i provide streamer and DAC functionality.  You are currently only using the streamer capability.

Akin to an integrated amp - you can get a component or break things into separates (streamer and DAC).

When I was at the inflection point of "I like digital, it's convenient - how can I make it sound better"; I ended up getting a streamer/DAC. I found it easier for me and felt the improved sound and experience was worth the money.  I bought a Moon 280D (~$3k)

I highly recommend an Aurender Streamer… like the N100 or better. The streamer makes a huge difference in sound quality and Aurender is at the pinical of performance. Other than my speakers, my Aurender Streamer is the most expensive component of my system (their flagship W20SE)… totally worth it. I have tried Aurlic Aries G2 and a dozen combinations of PC, MACs, and iPads… streamer… only way to go.

Something to consider with a new streamer is Dirac Live.

Dirac Live resolves the soundstage with improved clarity and intelligibility with all instruments and vocals. With the room correction aspect you'll experience deeper and tighter bass free of resonances throughout the listening area, with greater transparency and the removal of distracting artifacts.

The miniDSP SHD Studio is a good example of a streaming high definition digital audio processor for users who wish to retain their existing DACs.

Dirac Live uniquely combines frequency response correction as well as impulse response (time domain) correction in the digital domain. Fixing time domain anomalies is an impressive advancement for any audiophile system.

The downsides are the increased complexity and effort needed to fully integrate Dirac Live, and also you may prefer he Bluesound NODE 2 user interface.

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP SHD Studio dealer.