I am looking at buying a second hand Lumin U1 Mini or an Auralic Aries G1. Which should I go for? I am currently using a RPi into the McIntosh MA7200 on board DAC via USB.
Assuming your objective is to improve the sound quality:
If you are interested in a Lumin, please buy one with analog output to use with your amp, not USB.
This was a comparison with DA2, let alone you’re using the really old DA1:
Even if you decide not to get a Lumin, you should look into a standalone DAC instead of another USB streamer.
[I moved your post to a hopefully more appropriate area]
If i’m not mistaken, the MA7200 is one of the Macintosh devices which have a very peculiar USB implementation, which has been the cause of several “killed” USB outputs on Auralic Aries devices.
I second Peter’s sound advice above…
Thank you for the honest opinion I have put my old budget Topping e30 ii back in the loop and the sound is much improved- fuller and more dynamic and detailed.
I’ve been looking at the Lumin T3 all in one dac streamer. I like it but you can’t swap out DACs but I’m not sure this is a problem because DACs in my opinion have really reach a glass ceiling. Unless someone can make an AI system to fill in the missing audio information. I was going to go for the Auralic Aries
Because that can be future proofed by changing the DAC with something like an Qutest by Chord (although I don’t like the plastic plugs, and switched mode power supply. I appreciate the help my budget it £6000