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

big_greg I can bypass it all... But I can't use bass management or ARC if I do.

The bottom line with the STR is whether or not you’re happy with the end product, I happen to be ok with all the internal machinations. The internal DAC in the STR integrated is pretty decent, but I had an appreciable increase in SQ when I upgraded my digital sources, regardless of what was happening internally with the STR. There’s a lot of people out there with good gear who are feeding that gear through some type of dsp and are quite happy with the results. To the OP, by your logic I wouldn’t invest much in a turntable or cartridge either, nor buy any LP that was digitally mastered.  

@dtximages What kind of subwoofers do you use?  They typically provide controls to allow you to shape their sound.  I use 4 subwoofers and don't use any type of bass management.  Of course using multiple subs helps eliminate the need for those controls.

@big_greg  I have 2 SVS SB16s and 2 SVS SB2000s.  Love the 4 subs but the sb2000s are really for experimental use and fun. Those will either be sold or go to a second room soon.

But yes, I can tweak the subs in the app. It's just more manual and I like having the peace of mind that ARC gives me.  When I tune the subs, it's normally on a small selection of music.  Tuning with a much larger sample size of music takes much more time and I end up going back n forth second guessing.

Also, it's a PITA having to switch subs in the app, change setting, then go back to the other sub to tweak it too.. I wish there was a faster/better way to tweak in the SVS app where all subs show up on the volume, phase, polarity, and xover tabs within the app.

@dtximages If you use all 4 subs, you're going to have a lot less issues with bass management, basically set your levels and crossover points, make sure nothing is out of phase, and you should have great bass.  That's probably over-simplifying a little, it takes some time spent listening and tweaking a bit to get things exactly where you want them.

I have two SB13 Ultras and two Rythmik F25s.  I don't even have an app, just the plate amplifier controls!