Disclosure: Forum virgin (1st post).
Briefly my system (as it stands): La Scala AL5's bi-amped, 2 x McIntosh MC830's monoblocks, mids/upper with 1 x McIntosh MC275 (but currently borrowing a MC1502 - will likely upgrade to this); Bass = 1 x REL Carbon; Pre-amp McIntosh C22 ; range of cables and isolators. Analogue sources: McIntosh MT5 with Kuzma 4Point 9 from a ZYX Stereo cart through the C22 internal MC phonostage; original Technics SL-1200 with Rega arm from a ZYX Mono cart through a separate Phasemation EA-350 phonestage. Overall - think I have stumbled across a system with a soul (so would like to retain this x-factor).
Briefly:
- I want to get my digital source in line with the above.
- Used a McIntosh MB50 through McIntosh DA2 DAC and it was okay (Play-Fi Critical Listening Mode [CLM] is not bad - but it is fickle).
- My digital reference is a 16GB Macbook with Audirvana and decent USB cable - matches/bests (depending on recording) CLM; but a laptop sitting on top looks stupid.
- My local agent had a Lumin D3 for demo. Via COAX into McIntosh DA2 = fine. Best = D3 analogue out (XLR's) into C22.
My question: How does the U2 Mini (that shares D3 chassis from what I can see) compare with the D3's streaming only section (eg - what is the sonic differences, if any, that would justify the same $$$$ as the D3 with a DAC included).
Briefly my system (as it stands): La Scala AL5's bi-amped, 2 x McIntosh MC830's monoblocks, mids/upper with 1 x McIntosh MC275 (but currently borrowing a MC1502 - will likely upgrade to this); Bass = 1 x REL Carbon; Pre-amp McIntosh C22 ; range of cables and isolators. Analogue sources: McIntosh MT5 with Kuzma 4Point 9 from a ZYX Stereo cart through the C22 internal MC phonostage; original Technics SL-1200 with Rega arm from a ZYX Mono cart through a separate Phasemation EA-350 phonestage. Overall - think I have stumbled across a system with a soul (so would like to retain this x-factor).
Briefly:
- I want to get my digital source in line with the above.
- Used a McIntosh MB50 through McIntosh DA2 DAC and it was okay (Play-Fi Critical Listening Mode [CLM] is not bad - but it is fickle).
- My digital reference is a 16GB Macbook with Audirvana and decent USB cable - matches/bests (depending on recording) CLM; but a laptop sitting on top looks stupid.
- My local agent had a Lumin D3 for demo. Via COAX into McIntosh DA2 = fine. Best = D3 analogue out (XLR's) into C22.
My question: How does the U2 Mini (that shares D3 chassis from what I can see) compare with the D3's streaming only section (eg - what is the sonic differences, if any, that would justify the same $$$$ as the D3 with a DAC included).
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram