PS Direct Stream Vs. Lumin X 1 Sound quality difference?

Ozzy,

I have both but not compared them the same way yet.  With the DirectStream (DS), I have connected via microRendu both with USB and then with Matrix from microRendu and then I2S to preamp.  The Lumin X1 takes significant break-in of at least 200 hours but recommendations say double that and I am getting close now.  It truly has dramatically improved from the out of the box and as I continue to add plaing hourss.

Lately I have been experimenting with running the X1 straight to active crossover and not using the preamp. I have not tried the DS that way. I will try to cut some time this long weekend to do that and will do listening using the same XLR cabling from the DACs to the active crossover.  

I really like my preamp,a Vinnie Rossi L2 Statement DHT, which also has a DAC.  However, the X1 direct to active crossover has provided excellent results.  If you do not have other sources you wish to use, this makes for a very simple connection system.  It will be interesting to do this with the DS.  Both PS Audio and Lumin provide free updates to their platforms.   I was one of the early ordering owners of the DS, and it has been completely trouble free for me.  

I hope to post my impressions next week.

Ozzy,

I did some comparisons over the long weekend with my PS Direct Stream and my Lumin X1.  My impressions are my own perceptions on my on own system.  I also did not level match the various combinations I tested.  I came away with renewed respect for the PS Direct Stream, but did prefer the Lumin X1 overall.  

My X1 is going direct to my active crossover and currently not using a preamp.  I am connected via fiber optic ethernet from A Side of an EtherRegen.  I have a ground connection from my SoTM PS1000 linear supply to the ER.  I also run copper to a microRendu from A Side and use a separate power supply, Uptone LPS 1.2 for it.  From the mR I connected a WireWorld Platinum Starlight USB to a Matrix X-SPIDF-2 with a WW Starlight 7 HDMI cable to I2S on the DS.  The Matrix is powered by an HDPlex linear power supply.  I recently have acquired a pair of Audio Sensibility Signature OCC Silver XLR cables that have approximately 60 hours run time on them so far.  I transferred these from the X1 to DS for testing direct to the active crossover.  I used Herbie's Tenderfeet under the DS and initially used these as well as same cables for the X1.

I used a variety of music selections with Redbook rates as well as DSD 64, DSD 128, 24/96, and DXD (352 kHz) with selections I like and am familiar with. These involved female and male vocals, and variety of instruments.

I was listening for vocal qualities, imaging, sound staging,  perceived dynamics, and perceived transient retrieval.  I have not kept further track of hours on my X1, but should be close to 400 hours.

My initial impressions favored the DS for vocals, with seemingly more weight and seemingly more natural voice texture.  I thought imaging and dynamics were better with the X1 with seemingly better transient retrieval. It seemed to present more detail information. Soundstage seemed close on some and seemingly wider with the X1.  The DS was a bit warmer and overall very organic presentation.  It is just a very enjoyable unit to listen to.  Though I favored the X1 on this run, it was much closer than I had thought it would be.   The DS direct to active crossover provides more noticeable detail retrieval than through my preamp and not as warm either.  I like it direct for me.

I have been using some Daedalus DIDs feet under my X1 from early on.  The X1 really needs substantial break in, and the presentation really does evolve.  Very early on the imaging was flat, and vocals too detailed and sharp.  The DIDs improved both over the stock feet and the Herbie's Tenderfeet.  When I put the DIDs back in for the same selections, the perceived differential between the DS and the X1 widened in favor of the X1, with vocals most noticeablly more natural and nuanced--think better than the DS now.  I did not find any degradation in the other areas and the overall presentation seemed more organic and enjoyable.  I did not test the DIDs under the  PS.  If I keep the DS, I may pursue trying that but it is a pain getting to the XLR cables and connections, and I wearied of doing it further for now.

As an aside, I find minor changes in position with footer feet, both the Tenderfeet, but more so with the DIDs make a difference.  It is pretty easy to make small incremental movements with these and judge the changes.

I have had the DS since it first came out--early adopter.  I have too many DACS and have considered moving it on before, but truly it is a very enjoyable unit and have not convinced myself to do so.  I think the results could be improved further in my system with the DS if I would make some additional changes.  The mR has been good to me, but I believe going to the Ultra Rendu and better yet the Optical Rendu or Signature Rendu SE Optical would up my perceived results.  I had considered those changes in my system before the X1.  

I really like the connection simplicity of the X1 with fiber optic ethernet to it and XLR out.  I have not experienced any drop outs with the X1 on streaming.  It just seems to work and very reliably.  I use Roon and also use the Lumin App often with Qobuz.  Most of the time the mR has worked very well, but I have had some issues in the past with it. I recently replaced the micro SD card, and it has been doing well since.  There are more connections, cables, and power supplies with the DS.  

Ozzy, I see you have indicated you have ordered an X1.  I think you will be very pleased, but the break in time is no joke.  I have read the recommendations saying to run it for a couple weeks constantly before you go to listen.  I did not do that, but knew long break in was required.  If your curiosity and impatience intervenes as it did with me,  know that the unit really improves.  I suspect mine still is.  Hope you enjoy it.

I have also recently swapped power cord from another component.  It did change the presentation, so this may be something worth exploring after major hour break-in.

ozzy,

The EtherRegen is currently out of the chain of equipment.   It worked very well for me when I was using a Small Green Computer i5 CDR server.  Early this year I added a PF Buffalo switch and Sean Jacobs power supply for it.   In May I added an Antipodes K50. Later, I picked up a preowned Makua with newly added DAC module.  The Antipodes, similar to the Lumin X1, improved considerably as I accumulated playing hours.   All the additions required changes in equipment placement in racks, which also made for need of longer ethernet cable to reach the K50 than the Sablon cables I had.   I picked up the Audio Sensibility cable not only for length, but to also see how it would pair with the K50.  Soon after, I added another shorter AS cable.  My experiences with Audio Sensibility on their top line silver products has been very good detail, not bright, but leaner in overall presentation.   The Sablon 2020 cables for me have been fuller--seemingly sweeter in upper midrange and lower bass while AS seems more individual separation and more distinct in upper bass/lower midrange.   

I tried to experiment with both AS and Sablon with the EtherRegen after the PF Buffalo into the K50, and then using K50 Direct Stream output ethernet port to the Lumin and later to the Makua DAC (Tambaqui type).
Unfortunately, I could not get either of the AS cables to work on "A" side of the EtherRegen, but either of them did work with "B" side.  I spoke with Steve at AS on this.  I suspected, and he confirmed, this cable, as currently offered is shielded and grounded on both ends.  He also views this cable optimized for 100Mbps audio, rather than higher speed video. He was a class act and offered to work out something for me, even though my purchases were past trial period.   I elected to retain both of them.  As an aside, I did not have any issue into or out of the K50 with the AS cable nor into the Lumin X1 with the AS cables, only the A side of ER.  I ended up then trying both Sablon cables with the ER and also Sablon into A and AS out from B of the ER.   I did not put ER in front of the PF Buffalo.   I have 300Mbps service to the house, and I did not want to restrict speed to video from the PF Buffalo, which would have been reduced to 100Mbps with the ER in front.

The results were good, but still left me wanting more.  Vocals did not seem right to me and overall sound quality fuller and warmer than I was seeking.    I then tested taking the ER completely out of the chain and running long AS cable from the PF Buffalo to the K50 and Sablon out from the K50 DS port to the Makua.   Bingo!   Vocals are what I wanted and overall presentation is better balanced for me.

It also appears to me that the ethernet cable into the K50 as well as the ER to K50 has an impact on presentation for the digital outputs of the K50 to DAC--have used USB and AES/EBU to the Makua.  Presentation to me is different on these outputs depending on the input cable, comparing cable that shipped with K50 and the longer AS cable--a bit of a head scratcher for me.  I do listen via AES/EBU, USB, and via ethernet from the Makua.   Using AES/EBU and USB, I am using K50 player/renderer while with network ethernet connection, I use the Roon Ready player of the Makua DAC.

I also rotate listening with the Lumin X1.   Both the Makua DAC and the Lumin X1 are excellent for me, but also present a bit differently.  I really like both and at this point, intend to keep both.  

As for the EtherRegen, I'm not sure what I will do.   I read of folks adding separate clocks and power supplies and cables for add-on clocks to the ER with pleasing results.  It just looked like another rabbit hole for me and I elected not to pursue.  As I indicated earlier, the ER was very much a positive for me with earlier equipment and configuration.  For now, I am in a happy space without it in the chain.  The PF Buffalo with SJ power supply is very good and I think the continual evolution of the K50 has also played a part on all this.  I also powered the ER from a 3rd rail of the Sean Jacobs.  

I have experimented with both fiber optic as well as Cat 5 and 6 to my Lumin X1 both with and without the EtherRegen.  Other equipment pieces have come in during this time.   I do think there are perceived sound signature differences I noticed with various RJ45 cables--inexpensive generic RJ45, Ghent JSSG360, Sablon 2020, and Audio Sensibility OCC Silver Signature cables.  For fiber optic, I have only used the SFP's and cable recommended by Chris Connaker to me on his Audiophile Style forum.  I have read there are differences in sound with different transceivers, but have been very happy with ones recommended and have not tested others.

I am back to fiber optic with the X1.    Sound quality is excellent and the fiber optic setup is relatively inexpensive.   It is also hugely convenient should you want or need to position switch further from the X1 due to low cost of the cable for length compared to higher end RJ45 cable.   I have repurposed my RJ45 cables for connections to my server and to an additional DACs and for upcoming change to separate modem, router, and end point in office area.   I really think the fiber optic option to the X1 was a great decision by Lumin.

@emailists,

I believe there have been different volume recommendations in the past for the DirectStream, particularly in use with a preamp, often discussed with PS Audio BHK Pre.  I believe Ted Smith made some changes, Redcloud or Windom, that addressed prior issue on this.   I have read some believing 92 is optimal while others cannot tell a difference from there to 100, especially with Sunlight firmware, which is on mine.   I do run through a preamp and have tried 90, 92, 95, and 100 from the DS, but do not find it has affected sound quality for me, only volume to my preamp.   I do use balanced out on my DACs and from my preamplifier out.   I also prefer XLR connectors over single ended RCA type for the locking of the connections.  I have done so with DS on several preamps, Cary SLP-05, Vinnie Rossi LIO DHT, Vinnie Rossi Signature L2 DHT, and Mola Mola Makua.