Is the Lumin U1 still relevant as a benchmark streamer since the introduction of the new U2 Mini? I'm in the market for a streamer, and my head is spinning! Aurender is in the mix, but I have heard mixed reviews on the N200. I'm open to any recommendation up to $7500. The U1 is approaching six years old, and I question the technology improvements we have had since then.
432EVO Aeon which Andrew quint of the absolute sound proclaimed is the best sounding server he has tested this includes streaming devices as well
Unlike the competition the Evo is completely modular and upgradable
The server runs ron Roon and outputs usb so if you have a usb dac our server will give you the most analog sound you will get from your dac
The modular nature means that as newer parts with better performance are released you can always be assurred ofgetting the best possible performance. For both now and the future as well.
u2 mini is a replacement for u1 mini not the u1. Just to differentiate between the two, the U1 and U1/U2 mini are quiet different. The U1 is substantially better hardware than the mini version and has a better power supply which is more critical in digital application. I doubt the u2 mini will beat the u1, though a direct replacement for u1 with a u2 could be imminent.
I would go with Mini U2, why settle for outdated processing hardware and software in U1? IME, the newer generation models are not only improved but also the beneficiary of trickle down tech from reference models thus closing the performance gap.
432 Evo has a whole load of electronics built into it that probably less than half the owners will ever use (the 432 part). Wonder if including them in all the units affects the price...
I recommend people read the full Absolute Sound report and make their own mind up as to what is engineered into the unit, and how many of its features individual users might take advantage of.
You should take a look at the Simaudio Moon streamers. They are excellent, especially if you're running Roon. They are more on the analytical side. Extremely black background and tons of detail, which made for an excellent balance for my rather warm setup.
I would suggest an extensive audition of the Simaudio streamer. It’s very possible their outboard unit is quite good, but the Mind2 built into their DACs (including the 680 and up) just wasn’t competitive with other units I’ve auditioned and particularly against what i own. Importantly, I wanted it to be because I like their DACs quite a bit and was hoping to consolidate boxes into one higher end unit. Was not to be. Hopefully the stand alone streamers are better.
Rs 507 that is your opinion stereophile had quite a different opinion
A Krell amplifier also helped set the fifth-floor Audio Intellect room on fire (proverbial only; no actual fires were set). Anticables connected a Belgian-made 432 EVO streamer to a DAC-equipped Krell K300i integrated which drove a pair of just-introduced, blond-wood Alta Audio Adams Listeners got tight, prodigious bass from surprisingly small woofers, making music in tandem with the Adams’s ribbon tweeters. Saxes and trumpets were brassy, airy, and real. Other duties called; I had a hard time tearing myself away.
It may be you don’t like ribbon tweeters on some tracks the treble wasa little hot
You’re unlikely to get a unanimous consensus cause every user system, listening preferences, room setup is different. The best way is to find a dealer that can loan you the streamer of your choice and access its performance in your system. Both Lumin and Aurender makes very high quality streamers. I have been a Aurender user for last 10 plus years and their newer generation models, N150, N200, N20 improved in terms of low frequency extension, slam and perceived details over their predecessors.
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