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Upgrading streamer transport Lumin U2X Vs. Aurender N20

My current streamer is  a Lumin U2 mini with a LHY Linear power supply.  My Dac is a Weiss 204 with a Modwright Linear Power supply. Seeking to upgrade my dac to a Berkely Alpha Series 3 with their USB  audio interface.  I am used to the operation of my Lumin U2 mini that works with Qobuz. Is there anybody that has compared the sound of the Aurender N20 to the Lumin U2X . I did call Aurender and they provide phone support. Spoke to a rep who is out of Minnesota who was very knowledgeable and helpful.  Lumin provides a Hong Kong number, but not sure the quality of their support.  The Lumin retails for $11,000 and the Aurender $13,500.00.  Any thoughts would be appreciated. By the way, Aurender provides storage that I don't need. 

kjl1065
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,882 posts
 

Aurender support is solid. I have first hand experience after a firmware update bugs. They addressed the issue I reported immediately. 
Aurender N20 features the best clock available - OCXO that ensures the highest quality output signal

 

OCXO Clock Controlled Outputs

Aurender’s Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) clocks are unique in a category that has historically treated superior SPDIF and AES/EBU audio outputs as an afterthought. Unlike USB, where the DAC’s clock matters most, SPDIF and AES/EBU data streams are only as good as the transport clocks that govern them. N30SA, N20, and W20SE all employ exceptionally accurate and stable OCXO clocks for a smooth, saturated, and laser-focused audio presentation.

I do not find a y specifics on clock used in U2X. 
 

Also, having owned both Lumin and Aurender, the Aurender Conductor app is worlds better than Lumin’s native app which I found extremely user unfriendly. 
The native app becomes immaterial if you use Roon

rick_n's avatar
rick_n
477 posts
 

This should be a meaningful upgrade for your system.  I'm not familiar w/ Lumin but I own an Aurender.  Aurender is designed with the AES/EBU output optimized. I hate to throw out something that you didn't ask about but Inuous is very comparable with Aurender and is optimized for USB output.  If your set on using a USB input in your DAC I would take a good look in the Inuous line.  They do a great job with USB.

 

Just for the sake of accuracy,  Aurender N20s don't come with storage loaded onboard.  Rather, they have slots where the owner can add their preferred SSD.  Good luck with your upgrade.    

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
1,179 posts
 

An N20 makes perfect sense. Keep your DAC for a while and buy a 10mHz master clock for the N20. This will take your DAC to a new level and give you time to re-evaluate your system, don't cheap out on cables and give the N20 about 4 months to break in. USB sounds just  as good as AES don't listen to the naysayers. 

nubiann
95 posts
 

Some comments major on the OCXO clocks being superior to High end Femto but its important to understand what they are and are not used in these machines. I understand  OCXO is excellent for ultra-stable clocking in SPDIF/AES outputs, especially when the device is a server like the Aurender N20 that prioritizes those outputs. Femto clocks are more common in high-end digital transports and DACs because they provide extremely low phase noise and jitter without the thermal stabilization complexity of OCXO.

The U2X is a pure digital transport optimized for USB and network isolation rather than SPDIF/AES. It uses dual femto clocks, one for PCM, one for DSD and provides 10 MHz external clock input/output, which allows sync with a master clock for even higher precision.

So its horses for courses. I can only relate how my search went. The comparison I made with the X1 and the A20 was not so much about which was better but which difference fitted with my ears and which offered the best synergy within my system. I preferred the A20 to the A30 and then realised why I was leaning to the X1 it was the fact that the A20 was a little smoother than the A30 but the Lumin offered an even more fluid organic presentation which for me at least was less clinical than the A20 and even more a contrast to the A30.

Don’t misunderstand me, had I opted for any of these three products I would have been very happy indeed but being given time to understand their nuances and contrasts over time with my eclectic tastes was instructive. Ultimately, it was the Lumin X1which made it both the easy and difficult choice.

I am not sure how this will go for you but I would think we are comparing Apex products and it will come down to personal engagemnt more than technical prowess.

I cannot comment on the service aspect from these companies other than to say, I havent needed to speak to Lumin because the unit has been utterly faultless and recieves regular updates. Early in ownership I reached out to the company about whether I should keep the unit switched on and recieved a detailed response less than an hour after my email went to them. That’s about it. 

So good luck with your choice, I rather doubt you will be disappointed with either of these great products.

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