2. digital
  3. 184427-170518

Lumin U2 mini vs Mac laptop sound test

I compared and performed a blind test for a listening friend of the following streamer set ups.

1. Router hard wire into Lumin U2 then AES into DAC

2. Wifi into Mac air, out of Mac air via cheap USB cables from my printer and an adapter to go from USB C to whatever USB termination goes into the DAC.

Conclusion.  My friend could not hear a diff.  I "think" I hear a difference but not confident I could pass a blind test. 

Rest of system:

SPL Director DAC/Preamp

SPL S1200 power amp

Kirmuss speaker cables 

Audio Solutions Figure M

I did this for knowledge and fun.  Please let me know any thoughts but I can not see how spending a lot of money for a streamer makes any sound difference. 

John

Love this stuff

johnah5
wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,002 posts
 

Please full system details (room too) and is your hearing Aok?

johnah5 OP
234 posts
 

@wsrrsw 

System other than streamer

SPL Director pre/DAC

SPL S1200 Power Amp

Reimyo 999 main DAC

Kirmuss speaker cables 

Audio Solution Figero M speakers

My ears?  Maybe. I am better than I used to be at hearing things in the music but my mentor could hear this and say he hears a huge diff!

 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,002 posts
 

@johnah5 Ok...Connects from U1 to Pre and Power? It may well be your pre/DAC??? Got to ask...does the SPL Director pre/DAC have the DAC turned off or are you double DACing (doubt it)

Like many others I have never heard or heard of "computer sound" besting a good streamer.

How clean is your power?

 

 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,002 posts
 

@johnah5 I have some hearing loss especially in one ear. The little hearing aids recover upper mids.

johnah5 OP
234 posts
 

@wsrrsw 

I have the U2 Mini connected by ether cable then to the DAC in the Director. For comparison the mac was connected via wifi then into the Director. The reimyo was not in the chain for comparison

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