Lumin X1 dont see many virtual audiogon systems with this?

I have owned the D-2, A-1 and then upgraded to the X-1.  I also own a U_1 mini.  When I purchased the X-1 I sold my Emm Lab DAC and Laufer Teknik memory player.  The X-1 is the best DAC under $19k period.  

I loved the Lumin App ( no need for Roon or anything else).  The sound quality was dramatic between all of the Lumin series that I owned.  The X-1 just plain elevated my music enjoyment.

I disagree that it is not popular.  At $14k it is not inexpensive.  I recently sold my X-1.  While I was selling mine there were 4 other X-1's on the market.  They all sold.  I had 5 offers on mine.  

Why did I sell it if I thought it was so great?  I was intrigued by what an all tube system would sound like.  I purchased a Lampizator Pacific which cost double of the X-1.  While I am super happy with the Pacific, I then had to order a source for my music.  Consequently, I had to fork out another chunk of money for a Lucas Audio LMDS music server.  Further, I am going to have to sign up for Roon or some variant.  All of this is in the one box X-1.  I hate to say this but the sound of the X-1 is only slightly marginal compared to the Pacific.  So take that as a major win for the X-1.  

Tidal and Qobuz are part of the software and they work great.  I found Spotify to be two steps below in terms of sound quality.  The other item is that you can hook up fiber optically which will improve the speed and dynamics of what you are listening to. 

If you get a chance to buy and X-1, you will be a happy camper!

Lumin ap doesnt have commentary about albums which is a big deal.

why use lumin ap when roon is available??

I have Roon and use Roon at times and LUMIN App at others.  Roon has a very rich interface, which can supply considerable info on the album and artists.  The LUMIN App sound quality, to me, is clearer and a bit more dynamic (turn off Roon option in App for best quality) while Roon is a bit softer and more rounded to me.   I am more apt to listen to App for more critical listening, while using Roon more often when doing other things in the house as well as listening to music.  I most often do use Roon vs App for its convenience and bridging of genres and expanded playing of artists' music in my library and available on Qobuz.  LUMIN App is included with the LUMIN products at no additional charge, while Roon and Qobuz are fee based.  I enjoy using all 3 of these.  LUMIN is Roon Ready so obviously not a case of user not being able to use it with subscription or trial, but sound quality of LUMIN App is very enjoyable.  I have not been doing upsampling on LUMIN App nor via Roon at this point, so cannot provide my opinion on possible differences in sound quality when doing so on those options.

Great comment.

why would luman ap create better sq vs roon?


 i am a roon lifer that uses qobuz.   Miss very good playlists on spotify which i use roon. Wonderful that spotify direct is on lumin. 

I am not knowledgable what may be happening for me to perceive the LUMIN App music presentation to offer better SQ, but this opinion has shown up on other forums, for LUMIN, as well for other equipment such as WBF discussions on the very high end and expensive Taiko Extreme.  I look at this similar to making a change of accessory or maybe even some equipment in your system--you note a difference and may find it preferrable to the prior configuration, but probably was not unhappy prior with the system sound.  I find LUMIN App kind of like that offering me an alternative, kind of like a tweak without cost of a new accessory or piece.  You make tradeoffs with music system changes.  

I am not a Roon basher.   I really like the convenience and music information environment Roon offers.  Due to this, I use Roon the majority of the time.  I too have a Lifetime Roon license.  The combination of Qobuz and Roon for me has been great for finding new music, artists and tracing music and history of the involved musicians.   

With Roon and Qobuz, you can add to your Library with Favorites.  Those additons do show up on the LUMIN App as well.  You can also browse and Discover music on Qobuz through the App.  You can make your own playlists on the App that you save or you can browse and add selected albums and or songs to a playlist as well as choose when the additions will play in the order you are establishing.   I have not used Spotify nor Tidal, so unable to comment on them.  

Good luck on your equipment quest.