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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?
fsgattuso
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 
If your Lumin is connected by WiFi you could try an ethernet cable and see if that helps. If your Muse has a digital in connection you could try bypassing the Lumin DAC and having the DAC in the Muse do the D/A conversion.

anwar
119 posts
 
I had the same problem where the streamer without DAC that I bought cannot match the SQ of my SACD player.  Streamer USB output was connected to USB DAC input of SACD player.  I compared playing ripped files inside streamer SSD vs SACD player playing discs.  My own reasoning - CD/SACD player has very short signal path internally, and a good player has very good power supply.

Since then, I have learnt a lot about computer audio that my DIY streamer SQ can match the SACD player SQ.  But this is a different topic, best discussed in Computer Audiophile forum, not here.

FYI Lumin D2 uses internal switching mode power supply.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,805 posts
 
It has nothing to do with the switched mode power supply. The Lumin D2 actually sounds quite warm and should have far greater resolution than the old Muse Cd player.

A couple of questions: Have you played with the Lumins setup menu and tried the transoding to DSD function? The Lumin D2 sounds much warmer playing DSD files are you using the Lumin’s volume control?

Are you using a good power cable and ethernet cable? These make a very noticable improvement.

We would recommend you try the tips mentoned above, if you are still unhappy you can use the digtial output of the D2 into a warmer dac, the Ifi DSD pro is warmer, the Aqua Hifi La Voice is warm as well. 

Also you can get a bit more warmth by changing to one of the new AQ power cables and a set of Isoacoustics footers.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Lumin dealers
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
"...changing to one of the new AQ power cables and a set of Isoacoustics footers." LOL!!!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
He who laughs last laughs best. 🤡
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