2. digital
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Ditching Lumin T2 - Lumin U1 Mini or Bluesound Node 2i

Live and you learn.  I love this streamer, BUT, I'm not convinced I'm getting the most from it's excellent DAC because my Anthem STR is converting the signal back to digital (for subwoofers and ARC) then reconverting using the Anthem's DACs. 

The Anthem does sound excellent mind you!  But I really wanted the pure Lumin sound and there's no way to not double process the signal if I want to use subs or ARC. 

So now the question is......  Would a Lumin U1 mini (streamer only) really be that much better than a Bluesound Node 2i just for streaming?
I do like BluOS better than Lumin's app but I also use Roon which is love/hate.
dtximages
crn3371
224 posts
 
The Anthem STR integrated is still going to benefit from a good DAC, this coming from a happy STR owner. I’m currently using a Bel Canto e.One Stream feeding a W4S DAC-2DSDse and love the sound. I briefly tried the Node2i but returned it as I preferred the sound of my MacBook Pro and the Anthems internal DAC over that of the Node. I try not to overthink the whole digital conversion process of the Anthem, as the benefits I gain from the room correction and subwoofer integration far outweighs any possible signal degradation inherent in the digitizing process. YMMV
dtximages OP
368 posts
 
Thanks for the input.. I think i agree with you and all, but I can't get past spending Lumin T2 money, then having my Anthem just reconfigure the Lumin's great signal and sending it through it's process.  I'm thinking I should have saved money and not paid for a streamer/dac and just gone with a streamer. 

I don't see how the Anthem DOESN'T disconbobulate, rip apart, render null, the Lumin's dac flavor. 

So ultimately, I'm paying thousands for this Lumin dac just to have it trumped by my Anthem's dac in the end. 

I wish i could not think about it but I need to consider my pocketbook and be wise here too. 
bwguy's avatar
bwguy
231 posts
 
Did you try setting the T2 to low output from normal?  The normal voltage of 6 volts was too much for my processor, and made it sound harsh and distorted.  I switched to low, which is 4 volts, and it was much better.
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