Lumin vs Bricasti Volume Control

The Bricasti’s is superb.  I have used it with several amps direct and have been pleased with the output.  The M3 is also very natural and neutral.  
 

I just had a Lumin T2 on trade here so that is my point of comparison.  In the end the volume control is in an app although the app was responsive, it is never going to be as easy as just picking up a remote.  I didn’t here any issues or obvious limitations but the test was limited.   It was also decidedly brighter than the Bricasti.  This is not inherently bad or good, just a fact.  

In fairness, I am a Bricasti dealer and not a Lumin dealer.  Also, my Lumin experience was limited to the T2 over about a 10 day stretch.  I have listened to the M3 a lot.  

@jeffreyw which specific Bricasti dac are you referring to? The M21 is Bricasti’s best dac and IMO the most transparent which @hgeifman may have heard what he did. Just a thought but I’ve heard the M3 several times direct and thought it superb. I own the Bricasti M1 and with that being said I too prefer a preamp in my system.

I've no experience with Bricasti, but I have a Lumin T2 (nearly 2 years now). Recently I experimented with the T2 direct to amp (no pre), and much preferred the result. No contest.

Changing the volume with the app (via either the Lumin app or the Tidal app) is a bit inconvenient, so I purchased the Lumin remote control.

Very happy with the sound quality and the convenience.

@rsf507 Either the Bricasti M21 or M3. I know the M3 is killer performance for the price. I'm even contemplating the DCS Bartok, but the reviews vs. Lumin X1 are a toss-up. Lumin seems to be warmer than Bartok.

The Bricasti volume control is analog, which is a good thing.  I've run my M3 direct to amps. I thought it sounded very clear but soundstage lost dimension compared to my preamps (BHK Pre with NOS tubes and Luxman c900u).  YMMV as I suspect a lot is system-dependent.  I've not heard the Lumin, but in my experience, analog volume control is generally better than digital implementations, and a great preamp is better still.  What I've learned about preamps is the buffer stage really allows a great preamp to drive the amps and most DACs don't have the capability to drive an amp well without losing something in the process.  I am sure it can be done well if  designed to, but that is probably the cost of a great preamp added to the DAC either way.