Lumin U1 vs Lumin U1 mini + sbooster?

Thanks for the thorough explanation. I did understand your initial post.

The difference between our takes is that I have had first hand experience with both U1 and U1 Mini+ S Booster and shared my experience on the perceived differences between the two, you on the other hand are assuming, based on real world findings of other people, that the DI20HE plus a streamer out performs the U1 and even the dCS Bridge. I’m happy that you’re content with your solution, but realistically you don’t know if it’s better than the stand-alone U1. You’re just assuming it is, based on what you read.

I read other people’s impressions/reviews and experiences to use it as a guide to improve my system but I make a conscious effort to not claim anything based on other people’s experiences, until I try it myself.

Again I compared both the U1 and U1 Mini + S Booster myself.

I concede totally that I am relying on other peoples impressions. But what are you using to evaluate the DI20HE? You are not even using other peoples impressions. You are just using theory about how it 'should sound'. Also you have never tried u1 mini with any other PSU besides sbooster... so people looking at the ext psu option should be made aware that doing this may be something to explore... they shouldn't simply conclude that welp sbooster is the end of the line.

@steakster Its also silly to dismiss a product based solely on how in ’theory’ it should sound and assuming its just adding ’colour and distortion’ when you have not heard the product nor are you even relying on any real world impressions or experience of the product.