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New streamer? N150 vs U2

So many people have asked this question and I’ve read all the threads. Has anyone actually directly compared the Aurender N150 to the Lumin U2 (or U1)? 
 

‘’I’m having a difficult time with an upgrade because I modified my BlueSound Node 2i, added a linear power supply and a new digital coaxial cable (Nordost Silver Shadow).  The results have been outstanding.  So why upgrade? Well, that is the big question.  Can a new streamer add that much more?

 I would like full MQA if possible and upscaling to DSD.  My DAC does do MQA so I’m limited to the first unfold from the Node 2i.

‘Advice?

txp1
bosssound's avatar
bosssound
160 posts
 

Visitors here might also have interest in my recent post comparing the BAD Alpha USB Reference to the BAD Alpha USB 2 digital-to-digital convertor (DDC).

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
1,071 posts
 

@bosssound 

Although I had streamed from the Vault 2 for many year with great pleasure in the head-to-head it was apparent that the Vault 2 was producing distortion, particularly jitter. Easily heard on female vocals were glare and shoutiness. The N150 did a better job of producing the original timbre of vocals and instruments. 

It's amazing isn't it? This digital streaming progression. You think it sounds fantastic, until you get better stuff, better cables, filters, switches, better filters, better switches, and you then realize how cloaked the music was. 

What software did you use for the comparisons? 

bosssound's avatar
bosssound
160 posts
 

I streamed Qoboz via the Conductor app to run the Aurender for the purpose of this shootout. For the Vault, I ran Qoboz via the Bluesound app.

Recently, I discovered to my surprise that in my system for my ears I prefer Quboz Connect over Qoboz via Conductor when running the Aurender. Apparently others have had similar experiences. See convo in this thread.

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