I replaced Aurender N200 and Bricasti M3 with Meitner MA3i. Just some food for thought…
Running Roon streaming Tidal and Qobuz.
The horns of a new dilemma: Lumin t3x vs Aurender N200 & Yddgrassil+ w/JRDG pre & amp
Many of you were very helpful recently in my avoiding a foolish lateral amp/pre-amp move. I now would like to move my NAD M33, that I am using just as a streamer/dac into a JRDG Corus pre-amp and JRDG 625 S2 amp (powering DALI Epicon 6s), out of my main system so it can power a pair of Revel Performa 226Bes in a secondary (basically dining room) system. This means, as my exclusive source of music is TIDAL/Qobuz/Roon, that I need a new digital source and DAC.
Research thus far —without the ability to audition anything at a dealer’s showroom — with the goal of keeping the budget under $9k, has led me to narrow down the virtually unlimited options to (a) a Lumin T3x or (b) an Aurender N200 (or maybe the N150 to keep the costs comparable) with the Schiit Yddgrassil+ (more is better model, I guess?).
I was leaning toward the 1 box solution, and the Lumin has the advantage, besides being less expensive if i go with the N200, of having a fiber optic SFP input option which would be very nice as my Ubiquiti switch similarly has fiber SFP ports, but some commentary I’ve seen suggest that the Yggi’s tone might be better suited to the Rowlands’. I don’t mind neutral or detailed DACs, but I don’t want to veer into having the net result being overly analytical or dry. (I will say that the M33 feeding into the Rowlands gives a very musical and rich result while still being detailed, precise and controlled. Would going with the Lumin risk a harsher net sound? I was assuming not. And perhaps more importantly, would the N200/Yiggi combo be a significant improvement over the T3x? I would love to get your collective reactions to these questions.
And should I be considering the Sonore Optical Rendu deluxe instead of the N200?
I’d appreciate any advice or experiences with these or similar pieces & combinations.
Many thanks!
With DACs, it’s super important that you try to hear them. I hear Lumin X1 and T3x as warm, I’m not sure “loud and brash” would ever be terms I would use for them - those terms I would apply to Chord and Moon. As @yyzsantabarbara and my impressions show, you may have your own impressions. |
Since I was not super clear. The Lumin X1 STREAMER was the loudest and most in your face of the 3 streamers I owned and listened side by side. As I said before I would love to own the new Lumin U2X streamer (has no DAC). The Lumin X1 DAC is very much like the Schitt Audio Yggi+ Less Is More DAC. The LIM is considered the most musical DAC from Schitt. I find it rolled off on the top end like the X1. My test showed that the LIM was a bit more detailed than the X1. You can use the X1's streamer only and turn off the DAC part. Which is one way I tested my 3 streamers.
|
@jaycee12 I also owned the Audio Mirror III or maybe IV. I liked it but it had that tube sound that hides some details. Most people consider that a feature and not a bug. The new Byggi DAC that is being introduced today at LA CanJam is supposed to be a warmer and detailed DAC.I hope to have that in the house within the next 2 months. I have recently posted a lot about a tube DAC that I had in the house for 4 days. It is the Allnic D-150000 OTL/OCL Signature. I am still thinking about that DAC. It has even more detail than the Schitt Yggi+ OG (which I love) and all other DACs I owned but also has that tube magic of the Audio Mirror. Spectacular sound. It will take me some years, but I will buy that DAC.
|
If you’re looking at Gustard the R30 looks more interesting than the X30. Here’s an interesting review… https://soundnews.net/reviews/sources/gustard-r30-dac-review-the-r2r-perfection/ |