Opinion - Would a Lumin U1x or U2 Streamer be a noticeable upgrade to a Nucleus as my Streamer?

[Paul_Blaik]

This may be a dumb question for those with experience with streamers… my experience with hi-fi streaming is limited to my Roon Nucleus. My Nucleus is connected via a AQ Diamond USB to my McIntosh MCD12000 CD/Dac, which is a pretty good DAC, with a pretty good cable, I’m also using a sBooster LPS. I think I’ve maxed the capabilities of the Nucleus as a streamer.

I’m my opinion it sounds very good, but not as good as the MCD12000 playing SACD’s or my turntable.

I’ve been considering a Lumin Transport, the U1X or more likely the U2 wich seems to be more current and more feature packed, including the SPF cage.

Anyone have experience with the comparison - or know a lot more than me to give me their opinion?

[wklie (Peter Lie)]

There are some users who upgraded from a Roon Core computer direct connection to Lumin U2 or U1. One report is here:

Lumin U2 mini released

Thanks for the confirmation of Lumin native DSD512 playback to T+A DAC200. Please tell me the model of NUC you’re using. And secondly, Do you notice any SQ difference from using U2 Mini vs the direct NUC USB output?

Another report from a McIntosh user:

Lumin T2 - Sound Quality - Roon vs Lumin App

Hi Forum I got my Lumin T2 last week. Switched from the McIntosh DA2 internal DAC - but the sonic difference is unexpected and significant despite both use ESS 9028Pro chips. The soundscape became more earthy, acoustic, alive, airy, open, spacious. Being curious about Roon for quite some time, I decided to give it a a shot and got my Roon Nucleus today. Works flawless with the T2. However…playing the first tunes via Roon and doing A/B comparison with the Lumin App - the sound quality is abso…

Yes, you may consider U2, or T3 / P1 (with built-in DAC).

[Vadim_Lvov (𝐋♥𝐗𝐌𝐀𝐍🎼)]

For a long time I used Nucleus as a streamer with a direct connection to a DAC via USB. Then I bought a U1 mini with linear power supply from Teddy Pardo. Nucleus began to be used only as a server with playback via RAAT through Lumin in RoonOnly mode, this was a big increase in the SQ . U2 or U1X will give an even greater increase, especially for an external DAC of a higher class or try T3, which can be both a DAC and a Transport.