2. digital
  3. 191677-161121

Lumin D2 or Aurender N100H

Both are discontinued 2015-2018 models and currently selling at a similar price ($1200) used.  Features wise: 

  1. - Digital output: BNC only for D2; USB 2.0 only for N100H
  2. - Power supply: 35VA external LPS for D2; 35VA internal LPS for N100H
  3. - Build-in SSD: None for D2; 2TB for N100H
  4. - Build-in DAC: Wolfson dac for D2; none for N100H
  5. ...

I'm less concerned about the differences in limited features and more curious about your preference or pick in terms of (1) sound quality, (2) app usability as a streamer and (3) should I be saving up (up to $2500) for newer models if the upgrade in sound is justifiable? I’d appreciate your thoughts, especially from those with experience using both.

 

lanx0003
lanx0003 OP
825 posts
 

After hearing complaints on the use of N100, I decided to jump on the higher model N150 and 'almost' won the bid (around 2k).  I have seen the pricedrop but the market supply of used N150 stayed low.  

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,923 posts
 

Go for the Aurender. Some of the reasons why…

Aurender is a streamer only unit that utilizes a fairly large caching area and that helps with getting the signal as clean as possible out to the DAC; it has a USB output which means it will rely mostly on the processing inside the DAC; it has a lot more user friendly UI (Lumin is horrible in this regard)

Lumin D2 is a streamer with built in DAC that is why it only has spdif out. If you only need a streamer then get the N150

lanx0003 OP
825 posts
 

"Aurender caches and others buffer."

Now I see that ads, which kinda surprises me why others don't cache with the known advantages over buffering. Not questioning but wondering. Anyway, yea, if that makes significant difference, when the oppertunity arises I will, again, jump on a used N150.

scar972's avatar
scar972
225 posts
 

I use a D2 and don't love the Lumin app and user interface. If you're buying D2 to be used as a streamer, then no. The Wolfson DAC in it does sound very good though. I have the D2 connected to a tube stage and it has further enhanced my enjoyment of digital files. 

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