Point of diminishing returns for a Network Streamers?
You have super cheap Pi streamers (build yourself), $399 IfI Zen, $500 Bluesound Node (no DSD), $700+ Pro-Ject Stream box, then $1k -$2k for Lumins, and others.
I'm running an old iMac as my Roon Core and running a super long, active USB cable to my Dac. I probably do not have to pay much for any improvement since my setup is not ideal.
I'm really fascinated by the Pro-Ject stream box...however...would it be a major improvement over the IFI Zen? I need DSD so the NODE is out of the question .
I could save and go with the new Lumin U2 mini, however....would it be a huge jump over the Pro-Ject?
I had a Lumin U1 Mini, got curious and built a Ropieee pi4 with pi2AES HAT into same DAC. after about two weeks I felt something was missing... switched back to Lumin and things were back to better. They were close, but I could definitely tell something wasn't right, and feel the extra dough was enough to make me stick with Lumin. |
@ghdprentice just curious, what streamer do you have? |
@kray isn't Lumin U1 mini just a streamer? meaning it doesn't have an onboard DAC.. like it's digital bits right? |
@rman9 that is correct. |
@kray thanks.. So was your setup the Ropieee pi4 dropping bits to not sound as good as the Lumin U1 mini? I had the Lumin U1 mini for a while before I traded it for a Lumin D2, now I am trading that for a Hifi Rose RS150.. Lumin was great, but the demo unit of the Hifi Rose that I brought home is fantastic.. |
