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Blue sound Node 2 vs Lumin D1

I am looking for a streamer with a built in DAC.  I have backed off my original plan to purchase the Aurender A10 and am looking for a less expensive option.  The Bluesound and Lumin players do essentially the same thing  BTW, my immediate interest is streaming Tidal, so MQA is a possible plus for both players.  The obvious difference between $500 for the Node 2 and $2000 for the Lumin distinguishes the two players.  Does that price difference translate to a significant difference in performance/sound quality? Both are within my budget but I would rather not spend the additional $1500 unless the improvement is fairly dramatic.  I would really like to hear from anyone who has had both players in their system and have had an opportunity to compare them.
randyhat

Showing 2 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
If possible you may want to consider the Bluesound big boy, the Vault 2.
One good reason stands out compared to the node2 and its internet connection.
The vault 2 is hard wired only and you will get better signal with practicality zero chance of dropouts.
I use this and steam tidal out to my Hegel h300 and the sq is beyond Redbook CD.
You easily control the vault or node direct from phone or tablet, apps for Android and Apple are very well supported and constantly updated. Indeed the vault is also updated on a regular basis, another advantage of permanent hard wired Ethernet.
Lots of other services supported too like Amazon prime, Quboz etc. Also the internet radio stations are very good too.
Another advantage on the vault is that IF you decide to rip your CD collection, well you already have the means.
Outputs on the Vault are coax and toslink digital and single ended RCA analog.
Just a thought, you can pick them up for about $1000 online
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
Exactly Tomic601

The budget equipment of today with the advances in technology and manufacturing wipes the floor with budget equipment of old.
Obviously the more you spend the better sq you can get but it seems the low end starting point keeps raising the bar significantly each year.

My second system cost under $1k and tbh when I listen I sometimes wonder why I have 40x that amount in my main rig!
But that is why this is a hobby....lol
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