CD Player vs. music streaming

Ketchup please don't take this the wrong way we were not attacking you, the point was being made that so many people here belive that bits are bits with digital and there is no way that a server can make a difference.  If we came accross harsh please accept the appology.

Mgrif, we don't have a Lumin U1 so we can't verify your findings, we do have the D2 and T2 which can function as a server,  also there are a lot of settings on the U1 which include upsampling and cross conversion which in some cases can make the Lumin and dac combo really perform. 

We almost never run straight 16/44k on the Lumin instead we run it at high data rate PCM or DSD and wow the Lumin products go way up in sound quality.

Also were you running USB on the Aurnder vs coax on the other two?

We have only tired the older Aries which was okay, our current favorite is the Innous which we feel are even more magical than the Aurender, however, the Aurender which we used to sell are also outstanding. 

One of the strongest advantages of the Lumin U1 and Innous servers is the ability to upconvert or cross convert to DSD  and again with a dac that can handle those signals the digital sounds way more analog  like.

Joshfin, yes the storred CD's do sound even better, however there are a few tricks you can use to up the sound quality on the Statement, please  PM so we can go over this with you.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Innous, NAD dealers

ajay555

Excellent advice and suggestions. Which upgraded Footing do you endorse?  Happy New Year!

Faust168 - I have been running a LUMIN D 1 for 5 years (this is a streamer and DAC in one box). My source is Tidal HiFi with MQA. Cost is $25 per month. The LUMIN has to be hardwired via Ethernet to preform. I am very happy with the sound quality. LUMIN sends me routine updates over the internet to keep me current. The DAC in the unit is a Wolfson. Some think the Saber DAC is better ( I would have to go with a LUMIN T2 to get the Saber DAC). The current model - D2 runs $2,200 and the T2 at $5000. My quality is so good I retired my turntable. I do have a Yamaha CD player - CD - S2100 - I consider the sound quality from both sources equal. 90% of my Listening now is thru the LUMIN.

i hope this helps - Happy Listening!

One of the servers by Fidata using hi res downloads and ripped cd’s would be a good choice imo. You could add a good, reasonably priced streamer at some point like a Lumin U1 Mini for example.

Dear Audiophiles:

Thank you very much for your kind response to the subject. 
I visit one dealer to hear the rip hi-resolution file which streamer is 
a mid to high end model of the Aurrender.  The Pre is Burmeister and the power is Classe mono+ mono and the speaker is Spendor 100. 
Just a short listening, the music (piano) sound reproduction is bold and solid, but I feel it short of the expression of the player and the music and the overtone.  That means it is a bit hard tone. The Boss of the shop who is a veteran audiophile tells me that the best sound is LP, then, CD. The streaming is still lag behind.