My New Lumin

joeinid said:
Thank you for the link. No, I don't expect MQA to be implemented in the QX5 but remain hopeful. Those comments seem to put it even further back as an option. I know that MQA may not be a panacea for streaming audio, but in some instances I like what I hear and if it costs no more than a firmware upgrade or a dac with it already implemented in hardware, I'll take it - even if it's a somewhat better/alternate streaming option.
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I've seen this - https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/31169-ayre-qx-5-is-now-mqa-compliant/
 
Interesting, I'll have to look into this. I can use the desktop app on my computer but it makes it difficult from across the room. I want to ditch a computer entirely but that may take a while.

I finally hooked up my Lumin U1 last night. Overall a huge thumbs up but obviously no full MQA decoding which not really a big deal at this point. I am getting the first unfold and an easy ability to know what is MQA from the Lumin app and play at will.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
 
I don't stream other than several 320kbps internet radio stations I just put on my Lumin app a few days back. I have lots of music files and still getting used to my U1 and Synology (had lightning damage a couple of months ago so I'm still recovering from that and hope to have my main PC fixed - no sound from the sound card or motherboard) so I can start learning a couple of things (used to JRiver and a fanless PC I used before the Lumin U1).

I've heard MQA, but not on the most high end set-up (laptop with Meridian Explorer DAC) and was not impressed with what I heard. I do think its ability to work with streaming (like Tidal) can be a decent sized market.
 
joeinid said:
Interesting, I'll have to look into this. I can use the desktop app on my computer but it makes it difficult from across the room. I want to ditch a computer entirely but that may take a while.

I finally hooked up my Lumin U1 last night. Overall a huge thumbs up but obviously no full MQA decoding which not really a big deal at this point. I am getting the first unfold and an easy ability to know what is MQA from the Lumin app and play at will.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
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:congrats: I am awaiting to hear your comments on SQ of U1 Joe :-)
 
I'm letting it run in now and it's been playing since last night. So far it's great, but I need to give it a little more time. I am using the USB out from the U1 into the USB input on my QX5.

I have the following sample rates available:

USB: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
PCM 16, 20, 24 bits
DSD64 and DSD128 (as DoP)

The Lumin interface, as usual, is outstanding.

VNladyaudiophile said:
:congrats: I am awaiting to hear your comments on SQ of U1 Joe :-)
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Joe

Other than the software differences what do you think the real difference is in streaming from using the U1 as opposed to the streaming section of the QX-5? I would have thought since either one is going into the QX-5 DAC section using it for everything would be simpler.
 
I'll have to think about that one Jack. The software that Ayre provides to control the music from the iPad is a little wonky and definitely not stable for me. The Lumin is rock solid and I can up/down sample at will. Also, it's a lot easier to AirPlay to the Lumin/Ayre with the U1 installed because sometime I play news/radio/music stations from my iPad.

Jack said:
Joe

Other than the software differences what do you think the real difference is in streaming from using the U1 as opposed to the streaming section of the QX-5? I would have thought since either one is going into the QX-5 DAC section using it for everything would be simpler.
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Joe

I got the impression from Lavorgna's review that the mConnect software wasn't anything special and recommended Roon. Peter and his people have certainly had more time to work on the Lumin app. I was just curious App aside if their was any sound difference in the two methods.
 
mConnect isn't anything special, that's true from my perspective too.

As far as Roon goes, that requires a computer on the network. I run hot and cold with that, sound-wise Roon seems great.

With the U1, I can plug in a hard drive w/ music on it and I am in business. I am doing that now because my drives in my mac mini are dying and need to be replaced. I am in the middle of cleaning up the music on my NAS so the hard drive atached to the U1 is easy as can be and works beautifully. Honestly, the music sounds great too and the Lumin needs a little more run in for me to decide what's "best". Right now, I have no desire to go back to a computer, Roon or not, just finish up the NAS and leave well enough alone.

The modified Sonos and Lumin U1 are more than enough in sound quality for me.

I have not yet found a profound difference in sound quality. Both seem great with the ease of use edge definitely on Lumin's side by virtue of the hardware/software integration.



Jack said:
Joe

I got the impression from Lavorgna's review that the mConnect software wasn't anything special and recommended Roon. Peter and his people have certainly had more time to work on the Lumin app. I was just curious App aside if their was any sound difference in the two methods.
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Joe

Guess I don't understand how Roon works then. I thought that if the QX-5 was a Roon end point you could just run Roon from the tablet. Can you directly plug the HD into the Ayre too like the U-1? Just curious in case i decide at some point to move from the Aries to something else. Or I could just wait and see how the new Aries G2 introduced in Munich is received when released in September. I have gotten used to working with Auralic's Lightning DS app. One of the reasons I keep the Aries Mini in front of the Sonica in the FR instead of just letting it do everything. Lightning DS is a much more featured and mature app at this point though OPPO is making changes and strides with their app.
 
Roon still needs the server part of the equation somewhere on the network. I forget exactly what they call it. Roon needs to serve the endpoint, if that makes sense. The Roon iPad app looks for a Roon server where the music is aggregated, sorted and cataloged via the Roon software.

The QX5 will not accept a hard drive like the Lumin.
 
O.K. understand the dilemma then. The Ayre wants to see some sort of NAS on the network to work as a "digital hub." A simpler solution then seems to be the Lumin with attached USB hard drive and stand alone DAC. Maybe Ayre will seperate the DAC out separately or another 9038 or 4497 based DAC will fill the void of the QX-5.
 
Jack said:
Guess I don't understand how Roon works then. I thought that if the QX-5 was a Roon end point you could just run Roon from the tablet.
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Joe is correct that you still need a Roon Core on a computer or NAS with Intel CPU. You may use the Roon app on a tablet to control the Roon Core, which sends the music to the Roon endpoint. Your Aries Mini has also recently become Roon Ready.

If DSP feature is not to be used, Roon Core can run on a relatively modest setup, such as the QNAP TS-453Bmini-8G we recently bought for our Munich show. Heavy users will require an i5 or higher. Roon Labs also introduced its own i7 Nucleus+ that sells for US$2000 (price does not include Roon license).
 
wklie said:
If I'm not mistaken, W20 does not have analog outputs.

Lumin S1 has analog outputs and BNC-SPDIF output to external DAC. S1 does not have USB Audio output.

If you require USB Audio output and have no use for analog outputs, Lumin U1 is more appropriate for use with external USB DAC than S1.

Linn does not play DSD or decodes MQA. Lumin plays DSD and will provide support for MQA in the future. If you are or will become a Tidal subscriber, you have access to MQA music at no extra cost.

Among the three brands, only Lumin is Roon Ready right now. Linn - not yet. I read somewhere Aurender eventually decided not to support it despite earlier indications.
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Dear Peter, I've auditioned the Lumin S1 last night and I must say it was quite impressive (it killed the Aurender's audition with just a finger :-). But I heard that the A1 sounds warmer than S1/U1 and that is my preference so I am awaiting to audition A1 and U1 in few weeks time. In case I love it over the S1/U1, is there a way to bypass the A1 built-in DAC without any compromise in SQ? Bcs I have Vitus SCD-025MKII CDP+DAC which I believe quality is very decent and want to use it on music streamer. Please advise me. Thank you Peter.
 
VNladyaudiophile said:
I've auditioned the Lumin S1 last night and I must say it was quite impressive (it killed the Aurender's audition with just a finger :-)
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I'm glad you like the S1 performance. Yes A1 should be warmer. For S1 / A1 / T1 / D1 digital output BNC-SPDIF is provided - they can be used as a transport to send digital audio via SPDIF to external DAC (you'll likely need a BNC-RCA converter). Although Lumin outputs DSD64 via SPDIF as DoP, I'm not sure your SCD-025MK2 accepts this format over SPDIF. PCM music should be fine.

In case you prefer your current DAC to the S1 / A1 analog outputs, Lumin U1 may be a better match since it provides USB audio output and AES.
 
wklie said:
I'm glad you like the S1 performance. Yes A1 should be warmer. For S1 / A1 / T1 / D1 digital output BNC-SPDIF is provided - they can be used as a transport to send digital audio via SPDIF to external DAC (you'll likely need a BNC-RCA converter). Although Lumin outputs DSD64 via SPDIF as DoP, I'm not sure your SCD-025MK2 accepts this format over SPDIF. PCM music should be fine.

In case you prefer your current DAC to the S1 / A1 analog outputs, Lumin U1 may be a better match since it provides USB audio output and AES.
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Thank you very much for fast reply. I agree that U1 should be the best option for me, no compromises. Bcs I prefer to use AES and USB. Can't wait to try out the U1 :-)
 
Just finished reading the entire thread today, I believe a Lumin is in my head future. The built -in DAC and balanced outputs should work well with my Marantz AV7702 (until I set up a separate two channel system in a couple of years).

Thanks to all who posted their candid experiences with the Lumin, and other brands. I am looking for a simple to use set up, my home theater requires turning on 7 amps, 2 DSP-based crossovers, and the projector. For music it's a bit much (unless it's multichannel and then it excels).
 
NWCgrad said:
Just finished reading the entire thread today, I believe a Lumin is in my head future. The built -in DAC and balanced outputs should work well with my Marantz AV7702 (until I set up a separate two channel system in a couple of years).

Thanks to all who posted their candid experiences with the Lumin, and other brands. I am looking for a simple to use set up, my home theater requires turning on 7 amps, 2 DSP-based crossovers, and the projector. For music it's a bit much (unless it's multichannel and then it excels).
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When my house was being remodeled last year I used my Lumin in my HT with my Onkyo SC5509, and it was great. When the S1 replacement is finally released then I will upgrade, and move the S1 permanently into the HT.
 
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