Why does my old CD player sound so much better than my new streamer?


Earlier this year I upgraded my system. Briefly, new Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP integrated, new Lumin D2 streamer/DAC, kept my Tekton speakers, bought a 10 year old Muse Erato CD player, new Nordost Red Dawn cables all around.  After plenty of break in, the Lumin D2 streaming Tidal, even 24/96, does not sound close to as good as the Muse Erato.  I understand the Muse was about $10k new years ago, I paid $650 for it on Audiogon, is that the difference? It replaced my Naim I had for 20+ years and I bought it on the chance I want to listen to something not on Tidal, but now I'm going to CDs when I want to sit and listen instead of streaming. I considered upgrading to the Lumin T2, but will that be more of the same Lumin sound, which is accurate but thin and a little cold compared to the Muse.  I like the Lumin when just letting Tidal shuffle music as I move around the house, but from the opening note in an A/B test the Muse just sounds so much warmer, live and simply more enjoyable. Any thoughts or suggestions?
fsgattuso

Showing 3 responses by ishkabibil

Its funny how there is a school of thought out there that insists ethernet cable over bluetooth....

A really good bluetooth is better.

The next is the device to use for music.
For me an Ipad mini...
Ok go ahead and laugh...
But it images and has a Jam to it like no other..


Because it is less resolving.
And it Jams.
All of your sophisticated cables and high end hookups will not satisfy you.
Get your setup to where it sounds best to you.  For me getting off my computer setup and using an Arcam Rblink Bluetooth with a tube preamp buffer between my pre and amp was magic.

The system is musical again.
Like I have mentioned before...
Alot of streaming systems sound Vapid.
What high end video did to watching tv its the same to music via streamers...very climical with absolutely no "Jam" or any soul.

From the OP....

Muse just sounds so much warmer, live and simply more enjoyable. Any thoughts or suggestions......

High end Streamers give incredible detail but are just not natural.

No Jam to the music!