Top Tier Network Player (NO DAC)

Peter Bomberg

Member
Jul 8, 2024
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I have an amazing DAC that natively handles Roon, but my wife uses Spotify and would like the ability to use Tidal and Qobuz, JPlay is mac centric and I use Android so it's out.

Budget 20-30K but the player must have the ability to control the volume and ideally connect via an MSB Pro ISL interface, I dont want upsampling. The Aurender N series is perfect but they can't control volume on digital out, the Lumin T3X seems to so I am going to ask if anyone here has one or the T3 and can test?
 
Do you want to replace your MSB DAC with all in one streamer or add a transport to go with your existing MSB DAC?
 
Do you want to replace your MSB DAC with all in one streamer or add a transport to go with your existing MSB DAC?
@Elberoth, sorry not being clear I want a source to feed the signal to the MSB DAC, something that can take Tidal, Spotify, Roon, Qobuz, alter the volume (I dont really care about album art or anything else) and feed it as is to the DAC. If the volume was easily controlled using the non integrated sources (bluesound/renderer) I would be happy as is.

And I am well aware this is a true first world problem, but ...
 
Would a LUMIN do the trick? It says:

All the usual LUMIN refinements​

  • From MQA to DSD, FLAC to WAV, LUMIN can play all the high-resolution formats you could ever want
  • Native support for TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify and AirPlay, giving you access to tens of millions of songs
  • The unique and intuitive LUMIN App described as "fantastically intuitive and easy to use" by What Hi-Fi
  • LUMIN programme of continuous development that has seen Apple Silicon Mac support, TIDAL Connect, FLAC Lossless Radio and TIDAL Suggested/Related tracks added in 2021 alone.
 
Would a LUMIN do the trick? It says:

All the usual LUMIN refinements​

  • From MQA to DSD, FLAC to WAV, LUMIN can play all the high-resolution formats you could ever want
  • Native support for TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify and AirPlay, giving you access to tens of millions of songs
  • The unique and intuitive LUMIN App described as "fantastically intuitive and easy to use" by What Hi-Fi
  • LUMIN programme of continuous development that has seen Apple Silicon Mac support, TIDAL Connect, FLAC Lossless Radio and TIDAL Suggested/Related tracks added in 2021 alone.
it should but i would like to have someone who has one confirm it. Aurender seemed great until i got into the details.

so now i need a lumin user :)
 
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I am a Lumin user. What would you like me to check?
 
We do not represent them but always recommend the Lumin U2 as an exceptional streamer (Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Airplay Qoubuz through Roon, etc.) for use with your Reference DAC. Don't let the relatively affordable price fool you—this piece is the "real deal." sonically and the build quality is superb. The U-2 also offers some of the better digital volume control technology (I prefer active pre-amplifiers) and optical Wi-Fi connectivity if you have a long ethernet run. Another option is the Brimm MU-2 at more than 2X the price which has an on-board computer to host Roon. I'm liking new Apple Mac Mini these days at $599 for that purpose.

Don't skimp on the digital interface, either AES/EBU (good up to 24/192 file size or if going USB to use higher rez but it sounds like you are streaming so stick with an AES/EBU if that's your use case. With a conflict of interest noted, we recommend MasterBuilt's digital cable from the Reference line. Very high SQ at a modest price relatively speaking.

Good luck and enjoy the music!
 
it should but i would like to have someone who has one confirm it. Aurender seemed great until i got into the details.

so now i need a lumin user :)
The Lumin U2 is an absolute winner. It has no weaknesses in terms of SQ, build quality, connectivity, or price. Plus, it has fiber and an App I find more intuitive than Aurender, unless, of course, you use Roon with the U2 as an end-point. It does not have an onboard PC like Aurender, but then again, I have never believed having a computer board to be a functional or sonic advantage.
 
... The U-2 also offers some of the better digital volume control technology (I prefer active pre-amplifiers) and optical Wi-Fi connectivity if you have a long ethernet run.
With all due respect the Lumin U2 has optical network connectivity but does not support Wi-Fi.
 
I've been a Lumin fan for several years now. I landed on the Lumin U1 after trying a few other brands and a modded Mac Mini. The U1 was great, after moving up to the U2 I couldn't be happier. Sound SQ, app functions, fiber optic connectivity and isolated USB input. I stream from Qubuz, Tidal and a NAS filled with DSD and over 2000 CD's, all seamlessly. Lumin is a great company and offers full support.
 
FYI, I don't use Roon, I had it but prefer Lumin's app.
 
So if I may ask one or more of the Lumin or Grimm MU1 users that have an external DAC to test a couple things for me.

Using the streamer connected to the DAC can you control the volume for A = Roon, B = Tidal via Roon, C = Qobuz via Tidal, D = Spotify Connect, E = Tidal Connect?
Can you do this using Toslink?
Can you do this using USB
Can you do this using Ethernet (ie can you stream to the DAC via the network)
 
I can say on the Lumin you can control volume on anything that you stream.
 
With all due respect the Lumin U2 has optical network connectivity but does not support Wi-Fi.
No respect is needed, Bill. It was an honest mistake:)
 
Lumin UX1 user here....

I may have my gripes but it usually boils down to the recording.

EDIT - Full disclosure - I do have a seperate DAC...

Tom
 
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ok sounds like a good option, of course this is all to make switching between Spotify and Roon seamless :)

The Lumin can serve as a Roon endpoint but not a Roon core. I really like Lumin's own software but if you want to run Roon you will need a separate box for Roon.
 

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