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Ditching Lumin T2 - Lumin U1 Mini or Bluesound Node 2i

Live and you learn.  I love this streamer, BUT, I'm not convinced I'm getting the most from it's excellent DAC because my Anthem STR is converting the signal back to digital (for subwoofers and ARC) then reconverting using the Anthem's DACs. 

The Anthem does sound excellent mind you!  But I really wanted the pure Lumin sound and there's no way to not double process the signal if I want to use subs or ARC. 

So now the question is......  Would a Lumin U1 mini (streamer only) really be that much better than a Bluesound Node 2i just for streaming?
I do like BluOS better than Lumin's app but I also use Roon which is love/hate.
dtximages
big_greg
6,821 posts
 
@dtximages If you use all 4 subs, you're going to have a lot less issues with bass management, basically set your levels and crossover points, make sure nothing is out of phase, and you should have great bass.  That's probably over-simplifying a little, it takes some time spent listening and tweaking a bit to get things exactly where you want them.

I have two SB13 Ultras and two Rythmik F25s.  I don't even have an app, just the plate amplifier controls!
dtximages OP
377 posts
 
@big_greg yeah it's definitely smoother with 4 but ensuring they're all in phase is the tough part....  Because, you're never sure which subs are out of phase.. Normally one or two are in phase with the speakers and slightly out of phase with the other subs etc... Getting EVERYTHING in phase is very difficult.
dtximages OP
377 posts
 
Continuation of my previous post....

so you end up saying "ok i think that probably sounds best."  Listen to the next song, nope!  Something's wrong.. Tweak adjust...  Find the new perfect setting just question it constantly.  

The thing I've found with 4 subs there are less problems, but the existing problems at 4x worse.
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