Why does my old CD player sound so much better than my new streamer?
Earlier this year I upgraded my system. Briefly, new Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP integrated, new Lumin D2 streamer/DAC, kept my Tekton speakers, bought a 10 year old Muse Erato CD player, new Nordost Red Dawn cables all around. After plenty of break in, the Lumin D2 streaming Tidal, even 24/96, does not sound close to as good as the Muse Erato. I understand the Muse was about $10k new years ago, I paid $650 for it on Audiogon, is that the difference? It replaced my Naim I had for 20+ years and I bought it on the chance I want to listen to something not on Tidal, but now I'm going to CDs when I want to sit and listen instead of streaming. I considered upgrading to the Lumin T2, but will that be more of the same Lumin sound, which is accurate but thin and a little cold compared to the Muse. I like the Lumin when just letting Tidal shuffle music as I move around the house, but from the opening note in an A/B test the Muse just sounds so much warmer, live and simply more enjoyable. Any thoughts or suggestions?
We don’t share the details of the modifications. We also modified Sbooster in the US. The costs are 189 euro excluding shipping to the Netherlands. When I have time we will place an advertisement on Audiogon. With photos and more details.
I own for over 25000 dollars on music on my Lumin L1. And I also bought a lof of DSD music all over the world. But hi-res recordings are not always better than just 16-44.1khz recordings. I have a lot of 16-bit 44.1khz recordings which are even better than good DSD recordings.
It really depends on how it has been recorded. Most recent hi-res and also MQA recordings are very limited. This is due to the way it has been recorded. I listen to new music for about 5-7 hours each week. The average sound quality is getting worse, to be honest.
Artists earn most money these days by live concerts. This has a negative outcome on the level of both music and sound quality. The way of recording; hi-res PCM, DSD or MQA never guarantees you any better quality.
But the best DSD recordings are by far the best available in the world. But DSD is not used a lot. There are also enough rather poor DSD recordings. But playing the same
music by a modified music server and modified power supply together makes all kinds of streaming of this music
by Tidal and Qobuz one big laugh.
Last week we sold another modified Lumin L1 with a modified SBooster. He said on the phone; " I stopped streaming music this weekend" . I did it a lot, but now I understand your words: "This is so addictive and not even comparable" And tonight we had contact again and he said: " " Each evening I listened for hours in a row. This is so nice. "
We will soon let our clients speak. We started with different people in the US as well. When these systems are full adapted they want to share it with you. You can even visit them when you want to. In our country, we do it all the time. We send new clients to our clients all the time. Audio is all about shootout and comparison.
I own a D2, and AudioTroy gave very helpful and useful info on dialing in the D2. First, set the audio volume to fixed. Second, enable DSD decoded playback. Third, if using Roon, set Roon to upsample to DSD and adjust the phase and filter settings to those recommended by Lumin. Fourth, use a decent power cable. Finally, if your preamp/amp permits, use the balanced outputs of the Lumin.
I thought those changes dialed the D2 in just great. I later added the Sbooster linear power supply, and heard solid improvements, namely much firmer and defined bass and lots more detail.
Very happy with the D2/Roon combo, such that I am not tempted to go to the T2.
I did compare even downloads to each other of the different websites where you buy them from. And also CD rips. The quality you get from the music you buy at Qobuz is often better than others. And also better than CD rips. I always compare and choose the best.
The AudioFacts Pro modification brings the D1/D2 to a superior level compared to the A1 and also T2. For a lot less money. We use superior parts even compared which ones are used on the A1. The A1 and D1/D2 share the same DAC. It was our goal to outperform the A1.
But we got even further. We have a client from Austria (who soon will write a review) and I will ask him if he wants to put it over here as well.
He had bought a Lumin D2 with a Pro modification and a modified Sbooster. This combo did cost him 3850 euro. He is a member of an audio club. He compared his combo with a 13500 euro network player from another member. And also he compared it with a 14000 euro Linn network player. He both outperformed them. The owners were very honest and admitted that his combo was convincingly better.
bo1972"The AudioFacts Pro modification brings the D1/D2 to a superior level compared to the A1 and also T2."
Caution that such alteration, adjustment, and modification will void warrantee and may in fact render the component functionally and practically unrepaireable, unserviceable, and inoperative the manufacturer will tell you to "take a hike" if you you seek service or repair of such a modified unit.
The other problem is that these alterations are made without accounting for ICSS distortion which is something bo1972 has yet to fully comprehend because he thinks he has already isolated, identified, and accounted for all of the properties of the equipment he sells.
bo1972"The modified Lumin L1 is over 70% better compared to streaming by Qobuz. It also outperforms the Synology Nas on all aspects of sound.":
Yes but you will have no warrantee the manufacturer will reject, refuse, and disqualify all claims in the event of failure and often will not service the unit because they do not want to be responsible for alterations which are beyond their design, manufacture or control.
Again it is a lie by a mentally sick person. On Monday we will phone the distributor for a statement. They still repair (Audio Service) all our modified Lumin products. Because we made agreements for this.
Everyone over here knows it except he does not know. I never have seen such a loser human on this website.
bo1972"it is a lie by a mentally sick person...Everyone over here knows it except he does not know. I never have seen such a loser human on this website."
I could easily, readily, and swiftly have this post deleted however I will leave it here for all to see and then they can decide for themselfs whether you are the type of person they would want to do business with I am glad I stopped doing business with you!
bo1972"Lumin products which are new, get a 24-month full
guarantee." Of course Lumin is a qualified, quality, respected manufacturer of compoenents for Music Reproduction Systems and so they warrantee their products diligently.
We sell new products, it is always our responsibility. When something happens it needs to be sent back to us. But so far we never had anything back what was modified. We only had 2 D2’s which got a new mainboard. What was paid and repaired by Audio Service.
We give all clients a 24-month guarantee on all modifications. In the US it is the same deal. When something happens it needs to be sent back.
When a Lumin has no guarantee anymore, we still give a 24-month guarantee on the modification.
bo1972"jealous people do crazy things all the time like clearthink does."
I am hardly jealous of you're compromised, second-rate efforts to modify, alter, and improve the performance of excellent equipment and I am not jealous of you're convoluted, incessant, illogical and hatefilled attacks on myself and others members of this forum who do not acknowledge you're superiority with Music Reproduction equipment and if you continue with these attacks perhaps it is time that I visit you're store again and remind you of who I am.
AudioFacts is an official & respected dealer of Lumïn network players. As official & exclusive Lumïn distributor for the Dutch territory we support them with 24 months warrantee on all Lumïn products. The modified products however, we only support warrantee on the original parts. AudioFacts is responsible for all the parts which they have changed. On their part they give a 24-month warrantee on these modified parts, as this is their responsibility.
bo1972"AudioFacts is an official & respected dealer...The modified products however, we only support warrantee on the original parts. AudioFacts is responsible for all the parts which they have changed.
That is exactly the factual information I have been alerting users hear to if you have bo19722 modify you're Lumin equipment you will find the warrantee will not be honored, respected, or upheld by the manufacturer and you will have to rely and depend on bo1972's store to assess, address, and correct you're problem leaving you without the support you would otherwise enjoy from the manufacturer and you will have no recourse, alternative, or option to correct the problem that originates with the modification made to the equipment by bo1972.
So I’m new to most discussions herr although I admittedly lurk about for information; so many bright and informative perspectives on all kinds of gear. Here’s my question... I have a very modest older setup that I like to listen to late night. Have some Linn Keilidh & AR 10pi speakers, Tandberg 3012 and Yamaha CA-810 integrateds, Luxman TT (various carts) and an SAE parametric EQ. I move this gear in and out in various combinations but really enjoy all of it. I had a Meridian portable DAC at one time but passed it on to my son. Was an easy enough piece to add to my kit and thought it provided a notable difference in most formats. I have the opportunity to pick up a Muse Model 2 DAC for small change. I know back to when it was introduced it was/is a pretty serious piece when paired with a transport. Anyone have experience streaming with this unit and if so how did it perform? I also use an Apple AE to stream lossless through my iPad and use Tidal which I find pretty good. I can take the Muse home for a test drive too which is nice... I can form my own opinion on the component but just curious if anyone has a similar system using a Model 2 or older Muse DAC in the same configuration. Thanks!
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