Moving up from a Node 2i

This begs the question, why are you using the app on a Mac, or any computer for that matter? The Bluos app works great on a tablet. I was using a Samsung Tab A with great results.

Oz

Look at a BelCanto.  Take a look at a better

DAC.  It is all about the DAC.

If I really thought that I wouldn’t be looking at anything else. I have a heavily modified MHDT Pagoda that will stack up against anything else I could possibly afford.

Oz

What are the thoughts on a Bryston BDP-2? Should I hold out for a 3? Or is the 2 pretty good?

Oz

I’m upping the budget and considering the Lumin U-1 mini. Any thoughts?

Have you compared the Lumin to anything else?

Thanks for all the input. I bought a Lumin U1 mini today. We'll see how things shake out.

Oz

I agree, any Node should handily beat a Bluetooth device.

Oz

My Lumin U1 mini arrives tomorrow. The game is afoot........

Well it just arrived late yesterday. I found out that Lumin strongly recommends running minim server on the NAS, so I downloaded that and found my library while waiting on the delivery.

Setup was painless, even easier than the Node. I have it running in on repeat for a few days, but out of the box the sound was very good. I don't want to say too much too soon, but it sounds more dimensional than the Node, or another way to say it is perhaps "less flat". 

Still undecided on the Lumin control app. It's not bad, but not sure if it's as good as Bluos. After fiddling with it a little last night I was starting to get used to it, so time will tell.

Oz

Update.

After allowing the Lumin U1 mini to burn in for around 100 hours the gap widened between it and the Node 2i. I believe the Lumin is more transparent and tonally more natural than the Node. I am keeping the U1 mini and selling the Node. It's not a huge difference, but I find I enjoy music through the Lumin more when the dust settles.

Oz

hilde45

I think the Node 2i does a wonderful job at it’s price point. I will put mine back in the system soon to compare to my Lumin.

Oz

Just to be clear. If the improvement I heard out of the box was all there was,I wouldn't have spent the $$ either. That said, after some hours on the Lumin the improvement was great enough to justify the expense. If I only had 500.00 to spend on a streamer, the Node is a no brainer. But I don't regret shelling out the extra cash for the mini.

Yes, it was four times the cost. But I have paid more for less, as I think we all have at some point in our audio journey.

Oz

I almost bought a Lumin D2. But I was afraid the on board DAC would not be the equal of my Pagoda.

Oz