• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Lumin U2 or Lumin U2Mini ?

Ronen

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Messages
40
Likes
8
I have a McIntosh Pre Amp (C53) .

Considering upgrading to Lumin U2 or Lumin U2Mini.

The Mini cost 1/2 the price .
The U2 have different another Power Supply :rolleyes: and other connections.

I will use Coax Digital cable.

Is it logic to buy the U2 ?

Please see specs ..C53 inside DAC and the Lumin...

Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 8.25.47.png
    Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 8.25.47.png
    91.9 KB · Views: 74
  • Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 8.22.05.png
    Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 8.22.05.png
    166.9 KB · Views: 71

staticV3

Master Contributor
Joined
Aug 29, 2019
Messages
8,068
Likes
12,976
For heaven's sake please don't buy either of them.

Streamers with digital output aren't witchcraft.

Even the $100 WiiM Mini can provide bit-perfect digital output.

Those 2.5k/5k streamers will quite literally sound exactly the same.

There is no logic in such a purchasing decision.
 

FrantzM

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 12, 2016
Messages
4,382
Likes
7,895
For heaven's sake please don't buy either of them.

Streamers with digital output aren't witchcraft.

Even the $100 WiiM Mini can provide bit-perfect digital output.

Those 2.5k/5k streamers will quite literally sound exactly the same.

There is no logic in such a purchasing decision.
+1

Heed this advice. Please.


Peace.
 

Purité Audio

Master Contributor
Industry Insider
Barrowmaster
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
9,229
Likes
12,573
Location
London
Don’t listen to them buy the most expensive streamer known to mankind.
Keith
 
OP
R

Ronen

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Messages
40
Likes
8
For heaven's sake please don't buy either of them.

Streamers with digital output aren't witchcraft.

Even the $100 WiiM Mini can provide bit-perfect digital output.

Those 2.5k/5k streamers will quite literally sound exactly the same.

There is no logic in such a purchasing decision.
Thanks. W
 
OP
R

Ronen

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Messages
40
Likes
8
Thanks.
What is : " bit-perfect digital output" ??
 

JustJones

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
1,749
Likes
2,470
it logic to buy the U2 ?
No. I had the U2 mini (original version) and you'll never notice any difference in power supplies. I liked it though it is overpriced for what you can get now. The app was easy to use at least to me and it is one of the few streamers you can get with 110 Ohm AES3 if you want to connect to active speakers. I used it with Dutch and Dutch 8c before they were Roon certified. There were finicky speakers using digital in, the 75 Ohm coax with an adapter never worked right and the U2 mini was one of the cheapest I could find at the time. If you don't need the AES3 output I wouldn't buy either one there are cheaper options that will work as good.
 

Booker

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
May 18, 2020
Messages
110
Likes
101
The advice should be that if you can find the value of $2,500/$5,000 in the LUMIN app, then buy it. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
 
OP
R

Ronen

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Messages
40
Likes
8
The advice should be that if you can find the value of $2,500/$5,000 in the LUMIN app, then buy it. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
I am now with the Bluesound NODE.
Want to upgrade to a better streamer.
If the answer that all digital 10101010 then its all the same with no difference except the iOS App , So the BluOS App is great.
But I want a better streamer player. Or there isn't one.
 

FrantzM

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 12, 2016
Messages
4,382
Likes
7,895
Could you define what you mean by "better"?.. If it is about outputting the music in the file,as is, the Wiim (both version) will do it.. If it is about User Interface or ergonomics... can't advise..
I would however advise to stay away from Lumin or, any streamer over $250...

Peace.
 

MaxwellsEq

Major Contributor
Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
1,781
Likes
2,708
Thanks.
What is : " bit-perfect digital output" ??
It means that a device is not changing any of the digital bits created by the musicians, producers and mastering engineers. If any changes such as EQ or volume level are made in the digital domain then the signal cannot be bit-perfect. If you know a device is bit-perfect then you can relax knowing it has zero effect on the sound.
 
OP
R

Ronen

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Messages
40
Likes
8
Could you define what you mean by "better"?.. If it is about outputting the music in the file,as is, the Wiim (both version) will do it.. If it is about User Interface or ergonomics... can't advise..
I would however advise to stay away from Lumin or, any streamer over $250...

Peace.
Thanks. Very simple. I just want to hear better Audio from streaming.
No the Audio device needed to upgrade. I am only asking about a better streamer. If I'm not mistaken.
 

JustJones

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
1,749
Likes
2,470
I am now with the Bluesound NODE.
Want to upgrade to a better streamer.
If the answer that all digital 10101010 then its all the same with no difference except the iOS App , So the BluOS App is great.
But I want a better streamer player. Or there isn't one.
Are you using digital out from the Node? If so and you like BluOS no other streamer is going to change the sound unless it's broken by design. Now the analog out from the Node isn't very good.
 
OP
R

Ronen

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Messages
40
Likes
8
Are you using digital out from the Node? If so and you like BluOS no other streamer is going to change the sound unless it's broken by design. Now the analog out from the Node isn't very good.
OK. That's an answer.
Im using coax digital out.
If I understand correctly , Because of a Digital out , It doesn't matter the streamer device itself.
Even if the NODE a $800 and the equipment is $50000.

So how the YouTube reviews explain streamer differences ?
 

Svend P

Active Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Messages
131
Likes
254
Location
Århus, Denmark
So how the YouTube reviews explain streamer differences ?
Ahh, but those guys have golden ears ;)

 

OldTimer

Active Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2023
Messages
258
Likes
87
If the Lumin U2 fits your budget then go get it because upgrading the power supply won’t be possible in the future.
 

Purité Audio

Master Contributor
Industry Insider
Barrowmaster
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
9,229
Likes
12,573
Location
London
I am now with the Bluesound NODE.
Want to upgrade to a better streamer.
If the answer that all digital 10101010 then its all the same with no difference except the iOS App , So the BluOS App is great.
But I want a better streamer player. Or there isn't one.
The original Bluesound wasn’t that fantastic see Amir’s review/measurement here,
But a Wiim Pro Plus is as good as anything at any price .

Keith
 

Purité Audio

Master Contributor
Industry Insider
Barrowmaster
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
9,229
Likes
12,573
Location
London
OK. That's an answer.
Im using coax digital out.
If I understand correctly , Because of a Digital out , It doesn't matter the streamer device itself.
Even if the NODE a $800 and the equipment is $50000.

So how the YouTube reviews explain streamer differences ?
Because they are being paid.
Keith
 

ahofer

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
5,062
Likes
9,181
Location
New York City
Top Bottom