Tidal MQA vs Qobuz hi-res

I for some reason think MQA on Tidal sounds quite good.  It is supposed to be what was recorded originally.  I have a Bluesound Node 2i and when I purchased it I also purchased an external DAC.  After comparing with and without the DAC, I found the Node 2i to sound best without the DAC.  The bass sound thin with the DAC.  Ended up selling the DAC for half price on Audiogon.  I also like the graphics and layout of Tidal.  I have not seen the layout Qbuz offers.  Tried the three month free trial on Amazon Music and preferred Tidal.

After I upgraded my Ayre DAC, I noticed my factory Mac mini was in need of replacing. I only played cd’s from my hard drive, no streaming. I’ve ever cared about streaming because higher end remasters from Analogue Productions, etc... are not available on streaming services. But just for grins, I will try streaming with my transport hard wired to my router.
Seeing that we are in somewhat of a digital renaissance, there seems to be a great deal of emphasis placed on streamers and transports. While I understand and agree with the need for a solid digital source, I still believe in a stronger need for a quality set of speakers, amplifier, DAC, and cables. Spending $ 22,000.00 on a streamer wouldn’t make any sense if the intended speakers for that system were somehow lacking in high quality reproduction and that’s not to mention other parts of the system.

Tom8999, why is the Sabre DAC important to your Lumin T2?

To answer the questions posed - the Sabre DAC is more revealing and creates a better Soundstage than Lumin’s D1 or the D2 - I have owned the D1 (Wolfson DAC) for over 5 years, and just sold it on Audiogon6 months ago. I have a second system I use in my Mancave - just added the LUMIN D2 to that system 3 weeks ago - 

IMO - the Wolfson DAC is ‘warmer’ than the Sabre’ - vocals on my Mancave system are amazing - this system is as follows- 

Source - Tidal HiFi thru a LUMIN D2
Integrated - Krell S550i
Speakers - Maggie 1.6qrs that I had ‘Gunned’
cables and Speaker wire - Anti Cable

IMO - I like both the Sabre and Wolfson DACs - it all depends on what you like to listen to - Mancave System is best with Jazz vocals, Sabre is best for complex orchestrations and Classic  Rock. The LUMIN T2 creates a HUGH soundstage and instrument separation is bigger so you hear more detail.

people underestimate the benefit of a dedicated Streamer / DAC - note I do not work for LUMIN.

referencing cost - Lumin D2 is $2300 and the LUMIN T2 is $5200.

both systems cost under —$15,000 each all in - Love the quality. 

i have never tried Qbuz - happy with streaming Tidal HiFi with MQA - like I said earlier - retired my Thornes turntable - not cost effective.

Tom899, I understand your point of reference where the comparison of the two different Lumin components are applied however, the Wolfson and the Sabre DAC chips would sound entirely different when implemented by other companies.Then you have companies who build everything in house and will charge whatever they can get given there is no point of comparison. And there is no point of comparison for most given most are unable to take that niche streamer and implement it into there own stereo.