New Toy Tease...

[George Hincapie]

Arrived this morning. Wonder what's inside?



Will post a comparative review at some point over the weekend which should hopefully be useful to some of you.

[Daniel Quinn]

network media player ,

[George Hincapie]

No pulling the wool over your eyes!

I am keen to learn how it sonically compares to the Aries and Musette combination as it has a two chip DAC.

[antonio66]

[George Hincapie]

Well, that's interesting.

So I have just had an hour or so of listening to a variety of streamed and ripped tracks and make the following initial observation acknowledging the fact that the Aries has an Auralic LPSU and the Lumin only a supplied wallwart (I had hoped to use my Longdog LPSU but the barrel is too big).

The Lumin gives a slightly bright presentation compared to the Auralic & Metrum combination. My wife described it as 'tinny'; while that choice of word isn't right I know what she means - it's the difference between the NOS Transient modules in the Metrum and the dual Wolfson WM8741 DACs in dual differential mode . She also felt it lacked depth compared to the Auralic/Metrum. A LPSU will add the depth and elevate space and separation.

I have it for two weeks before I have to make a decision, so I am going to get a LPSU from Nick and see how the Lumin compares then. I'll be able to do some proper A/B playing the same tracks through the P90SA and see how I then feel.

[antonio66]

If the Lumin can be used with your Longdog LPSU can you not just get another cable with the appropriate barrel size? I can understand the use of 'tinny', heard many hifi's and that would be the most appropriate to use.

[George Hincapie]

It's interesting because the reviews I have read of the Aries where the stock LPSU is replaced with an SBooster BOTW speak of improved sonic performance (http://positive-feedback.com/audio-disc ... er-supply/). Same feedback with the Lumin D1 and SBooster (http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/ha ... ic-player/). I have spoken with Nick about buying an LPSU for my Aries and think that would raise performance even more. The unknown for me is whether Aries & LDA LPSU is better than the Lumin & LDA LPSU. There's only one way to find out I suppose...

I have to say though that there is no point in buying a streamer with DAC and exporting that signal to an external DAC. Either use the DAC in the streamer or buy a streamer without a DAC and use an external one.

I enjoyed a period of contentment over Christmas where I was happy with what I had - now the Upgrade Fairy won't leave me alone. Does it ever stop?

[Daniel Quinn]

Yep , when you die

the secret is to be content with what you have while you contemplate the necessity of constant change.

[Fretless]

Yep , when you die

the secret is to be content with what you have while you contemplate the necessity of constant change.

Deep thoughts DQ. Very deep.

[zebbo]

Oh, I thought it was going to be light bulbs...........