Does Lumin x1 needs a dac ? does a good dac will improve it ?

@maxweave,

I have used two preamps with my X1, a Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature DHT with Living Voice 300B tubes and Mola-Mola Makua.   The Vinnie Rossi does not have HT bypass.  I added a passive switch box which allowed me to work a HT bypass for my HT as well as a option for my X1 to go direct.   I truly like the holo touch of the DHT tubes, but the Leedh option seemed more dynamic and transparent, especially using the Lumin App over Roon.  

Some may want to know my opinion on the Mola-Mola vs the X1.   They are different, but both very enjoyable.  In my system and in my opinion, the X1 conveys more of a concert, open space presentation, for me a you are there presentation.   The Mola-Mola gives me more pinpoint imaging illusion and more they are here feel, but these impressions can be specific music album dependent as well as DAC option input on the MM.

I currently have the VR out of the rack, but may bring it back in to experiment on running MM output through the DHT tubes for fun.  I also have a PS Audio DirectStream using I2S from Antipodes K50.   I primarily listen to the MM various DAC input options (AES/EBU, USB, and Roon Ready ethernet) and the X1, but the DirectStream is still enjoyable warm, comfortable listen.   Both the X1 and MM have more spatial detail for me.

I picked up a preowned Mola-Mola Makua with DAC module.  It has more inputs than my VR and allows me to configure HT bypass for one of the locations as well as bypass for the X1, should I wish, or utilize preamp volume control.  I am continuing to evaluate the options there on whether to use Leedh or MM volume Control.  Leedh seems to me to have a bit more body while the MM is very resolving of detail.

@audioman58,

My opinion is that DAC preferences are very much system, music and room dependent along with personal preferences for presentation.   I have not heard the Denafrips Terminator 2, but have read a number of positive user reviews along with positives for Holo May and others.   I have more DACs than the ones I mentioned above.   They all present differently.   It's ok to prefer one over another, but your choice may not be the same as someone else.  We fortunately are in a period where there are a good number of very fine performing DACs and many are far less money than would be expected for their performance just a few years ago.   

My experience with the X1 is that it really needs several hundreds of hours to settle in.   Lumin is very responsive on various forums with advice and problem solving for customers.   Lumin is also very fast on software enhancements as needed.  

I communicated extensively with a gentleman not in the US about my impressions on Mola-Mola vs the Lumin X1.  He has very fine speakers and associated equipment and his DAC had been an unmodified DAVE along with M Scaler.  He was looking to simplify his system while not sacrificing sound quality.  He was able to work with 2 dealers to provide him a Tambaqui and an X1 at the same time for him to home audition and evaluate.   Both dealers knew the situation and allowed him to keep both for extended audition knowing his intentions were real.   He used same cabling on both and diligently worked to minimize extraneous variables.   He was not initially impressed with the X1, but I advised him to get to at least 200 hours of run time on it, with 400 hours being even better before deciding.  It truly was interesting reading his ongoing evaluations.   Based on his early impressions, I thought he would end up with the Tambaqui.   He, however, ended up purchasing the X1.   For his system, room, music,  and his objectives, the X1 was preferred.   Someone else could have very well picked the Tambaqui, and he nearly did.  I have found both are very good for me,  but are different.  I very much like both.  

I respect your purchasing decision, but others may not make the same decision.  As our systems evolve with other pieces, including cabling, isolation, etc., what had been superior in our opinion may also evolve.

Enjoy

@haimr Thank you for your kind words. However after looking at your system I would think that the problem lays with your speakers. I'm very old school and I believe speakers should be made out of wood. Most musical instruments are wooden. IMHO fibreglass (Vivid) or aluminium (Magico) cannot reproduce the soul of music but it can and will produce clinical detail in abundance. For a similar speaker I'd strongly suggest you give the Eggleston Works OSO a try. They should work beautifully with your valve power amp. Try them with and without your pre amp. I'm a dyed in the wool Eggleston fan, full disclosure.

Word of caution on the Lumin it is very, very sensitive to every type of cable you use with it. My dealer uses it as his reference front end because it's so transparent, that can be a good or bad thing but needs good system matching.

There are always better DACs but I'd get everything else right first.

Good Luck

@azwill

Thanks for your precision .
What brand of passive switch box ?
I am supprised , the switch box , doesn’t add some coloration or restriction to the sound.

I have always though , the less between the source and amp, the better.

Which brand and model of interconnect do you use for your Lumin ?

I have once consider Goldpoint. as a switch box .