2. digital
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Optimum config for Lumin u1 MIni

I'm replacing my Bluesound Node 2i with  Lumin U1 Mini.  My system is, uhhh, a bit eclectic however, so I'd appreciate any thoughts on the best way to hook it all up  I'm particularly interested in technical theories here - it's not helpful to say "just listen and decide." I will listen, but the setup is tight and reconfiguring it all is a major PITA so I want to put my best foot forward before messing around more.

The digital chain is an Assemblage D2D-1 feeding a Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 MKIII (no, not the MKII).  It's really intended to get the most out of CD's (I have many and it does).  However, upsampling only goes to 24/96.  Not state of the current art, but way better than CD's and in line (or better than) what's routinely coming from Tidal and Qobuz.  And that's what I typically listen to. 

Anyway, this stuff is old and probably unfamiliar so a few words are in order.  The SFD-1 is an upsampler, jitter reducer and fancy input selector.  It connects to the SFD-2 via I2Se.  Google the gear if not familiar.  It's pretty interesting. 

To repeat, my streaming sources are 95% Tidal and Qobuz.  Both basically run at CD resolution if I understand right.  I guess the issue is whether I'm better off sending the Lumin to the D2D-1 or straight to the SFD-2 au naturel.  I have no idea if there are potential jitter issues that could be improved by the D2D-1.  Similarly, might upsampling 16/44 material from Tidal or Qobuz improve that too?  What I can say is the Node 2i into the D2D-1 and upsampled to the SFD-2 is WAY better than feeding the preamp from the Node 2i's own DAC.

Any insights would be welcome.  Cheers,

 

128x128kletter1mann

Showing 2 responses by kletter1mann

kletter1mann's avatar
kletter1mann OP
20 posts
 
fuzztone's avatar
@fuzztone

Upsampling is better than CDs? Wowee.

Well fuzztone, your penchant for snark seemed to overwhelm your ability to grasp the point.  I'll express it more clearly for you:  CD's when upsampled through the D2D sound better than when not.  That begs the obvious question: would upsampling 16/44 streaming from Tital/Qobuz benefit similarly?

 

 

 

 

kletter1mann's avatar
kletter1mann OP
20 posts
 

For @sns:

Interesting comment.  Can you elaborate?  Are you saying that it's obsolete because jitter has become a thing of the past?  Or that the D2D's jitter reduction implementation itself is obsolete? If the latter, does it matter as long as it still works?  Obviously I'm old school and the whole topic is way over my head.

FWIW, I'm not interested in streaming DSD downloads and Tidal/Qobuz only stream in PCM anyway.  Doesn't matter cause the SFD-2 can't do PCM anyway.  Then the only question is coaxial BNC or AES/EBU?  I've never settled on a clear winner but everyone has an opinion.

As for the rest looks Like I'll leave the D2D-1 out of the loop.  Thanks and cheers,

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