What are you using as a streamer? Constructive feedback please.

On my main system a Node 2 with the linear power supply upgrade from Poland, separate power supply, and Cullen AC cable feeding my McIntosh D150 thru an analysis plus digital cable. In my other two vintage systems Node N100s with Nordost power cables and Lifatech optical cables feeds the DACs.

@dinov — So what? Who cares? What’s your point? And did you mean Aurender N100, not that it matters because your post is utterly useless to anyone. Please don’t waste people’s time with what you own and no further comment. Nobody cares.

@david_ten , I agree that phones are "overlooked and vastly underrated as a front end streaming/player platform".  First, most of us already have one. Second, you can carry them with you wherever you go. Third, you might be surprised at the sound quality. Oh, and you get a nice built-in display/control panel.  An iPad has similar advantages (along with a bigger display).

I went from a Bluesound Node 2 to a Lumin T2 that I got a good deal on used. The difference that I hear is the Lumin presents significantly more detail. Things like the singer’s breath at the end of a line, or the little fret squeaks on a chord change.

From what I’ve read my unit is still in the break in phase, as the previous owner had it in a second system and had 5 hours on it tops. I leave it playing all the time and it now has about 200 hours on it.

I will say in terms of sound characteristics, the Lumin sounds thinner, more clinical, and perhaps a tad brighter. Perhaps things will change with further break in. 

The Node on the other hand puts out more bass and has more meat in the mid range. My opinion is the Node is still a fantastic bit of kit and great value for $500.

I don’t think I ever want to spend more than $5k for a streamer. But never say never. I am curious though how my T2 sounds to comparable offerings from Auralic and Aurender.

I agree that phones are "overlooked and vastly underrated as a front end streaming/player platform". 

+2.  I recently upgraded the Apple Camera Adapter with a LavriCable version and the improvement was not small, in case anyone else is using that setup.  At some point I’ll try a dedicated streamer because, well, I’m an audiophile so really have no choice.  But I’m pretty happy with the extreme convenience and cost effectiveness of using my iPhone/iPad with Qobuz so the improvement will have to be significant to give all that up. 

Incidentally, @jerryg123, did you ever give an update on your impressions of the Mini GaN 5?  VERY interested in your findings!

@soix No I have not.

Giving it and the Ref501S a good run in and will give them both a listen next week when I get back into town.

Thanks for reminding me.

Have a great day.