Auralic Vega G2.1 vs Lumin T3

@mitch2 

The Auralic units do interface with Roon very well. The difference in sound quality between Roon and Lightning link is also experienced by other ecosystems (Inneos, Lumin, etc.).  

I believe it’s more an issue that proprietary operating and file management system software is written to address the unique resources (i.e. cache buffers, etc.) of the hardware. Roon cannot do this because they’re trying to operate across so many platforms. 

I had Roon - thought it sounded great. Then tried Lightning link just for kicks and noticed the better sound on the same file. 

So don’t give up on Auralic because of Roon as you may experience this with any system (though I understand Grimm only works w/ Roon - no proprietary software). If you like Roon - be happy with it. It’s clearly the best user experience. Just also know there might be better sound available. The good thing is - you can actually have both. Use Roon for everyday and keep Lighting DS (or whatever proprietary system you’re on) for critical listening. It’s no problem to have both.

Best,

@mgrif104 

Thank you for the response and suggestions.

I have recently stumbled across the Rose RS130 streamer which, based on the current review comments, sounds promising.  Word is, it sounds quite good.  However, I am skeptical because it seems to have additional "stuff" that I would not need or use and also because I am not a fan of the Android 7.1 operating system for music.

Excluding the Rose, my short list at this time would include Auralic Aries G2.2 or the Innuos Pulsar, but I am wondering whether I should add the Lumin U2 to that list. 

I am curious with any of these streamers that offer on-board SSD storage, and that operate their own proprietary interfacing systems, if I were to stop using Roon  would I even need to have a separate server (since I wouldn't need to run Roon core anymore)?  BTW, I have well under 2TB of stored files and mostly stream from Qobuz and Tidal.

@mitch2 

Good questions. 

I’ve not heard the Rose so i can’t comment on this relative newcomer (I think?).  They look nice but I’ve no idea of the actual sonic performance. I’ve heard the Innuos Pulsar and Lumin U2 and do think you should add those to your list along with the Auralic G2.2. And if you’re thinking you might not use Roon, Aurender becomes a possibility.  I’ve not heard their newest offerings but understand they’re very good.

An advantage (or disadvantage depending on your view) of the Auralic system is that you can use their ecosytem to substantially improve the performance of their components (i.e. The sirius processor and Leo clock will take the  performance of the Aries and Vega DAC to quite high levels. Of course, total cost is ends up being similarly high when you go all in - but the point is the ecosystem does scale which I believe is somewhat unique.  

I don’t believe the Lumin allows for on-board storage. I believe the Innuos does and it’s available w/ Auralic. That said, I feel a NAS solution is a better way to do this than on-board though I would consider solid state drives acceptable. Certainly more responsive than a NAS for loading files, but that’s not problematic for me. 

And yes - if you stopped using Roon - no need to have a separate server anywhere with any of these systems, though the NAS would benefit from a controlling networked computer.

Best,

I have lifetime Roon accessibility so would probably not go with Aurender in the event I ever did want to go back to using Roon.  I also don't like being locked into using gear from only one brand in order to get the best sound.  My current server is essentially a networked drive and with SSD and a Roon core, as I use streamers/endpoints to feed systems at several locations in my home.  I am currently using the Metrum Ambre in my main system and although the Ambre sounds quite good when used solely as a Roon endpoint, I thought maybe I could achieve even better sound with something like the Innuos Pulsar or Auralic G2.2.  I will look at the Lumin also.  However, $6-8K seems like a lot of money for a Roon endpoint with steaming capabilities.

Rumour has it that Aurender will be Roon certified “soon”. Not sure if that’s true but others posting here are. 

I actually think your budget offers you the options you’re considering. And, each - Innuos, Lumin and Auralic will likely offer you a very signficant upgrade in sound.

I may have inadvertently led you to believe that you have to buy more Auralic gear to get great sound. In ase I did, that was not my intent so let me try to clarify. At your budget and with your requirement that Roon be an option, I don’t think you’ll do better than Auralic Aries G2.2. You might match its performance with Innuos or Lumin - I can’t say as I haven’t heard their latest in direct comparison.  The G2.2 is brand new. The Auralic has the option of improving its performance even further was my point. I don’t see how you could easily do the same with Lumin or Innuos. You’d have to replace their gear - not add to it.

To your point of the cost of a Roon endpoint with streaming - I agree. It’s an expensive hobby. But many of us have found it beneficial to add an outboard streamer. I offer an experience as an example. I took my older Auralic Aries G2.0 streamer to my local dealer to audition with the Simaudio Moon 680D DAC - which has their Mind2 module built in. We connected it via USB (remember that Auralic’s Lightning Link is their best sound connecting - but proprietary to Auralic). The 680D was a $9k DAC and it sounded very nice w/ their streaming system. However, when connected to the Aries, the performance jumped significnatly. It was an easy comparison to make and the sonic improvement was enough that upon hearing it, most here would never go back Mind2. I know of several people here who added the Auralic Aries (and Grimm MU1) to the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC - even though that DAC can also stream. Again - big improvement.

Quality outboard streamers bring as much (or more) to what we’re all trying to achieve here than the DAC in my view. Of course, YMMV so an audition is warranted. 

Best,