Lumin d2 till I save for a ND555

A couple of questions:

1. What type of streaming are you aiming for - home network streaming of CDs ripped to a NAS or streaming from an external service such as Tidal or Qobuz, or both?

2. How long do you anticipate it will be before you can afford the ND555?

I believe that the Lumin will be a pretty decent and 'inoffensive' choice - the original Lumin D1 was pretty decent and I would expect the new one to be a little better. However, looking at your current setup, it would probably just be an OK stopgap (albeit a decent one) until you get your ND555. Personally, I don't particularly like the Lumin app which I use in my second system (incorporating a Hugo DAC). For the price of a new Lumin D2, you could get hold of a used Linn Klimax Renew DS/0 or even better, a reasonably priced Renew DS/1. In my view these two, and especially the DS/1 would almost certainly sound better than the Lumin, although they probably don't quite match in the 'looks' department. I personally also prefer the Linn control apps to that of the Lumin.

A streaming setup using the Qutest as a DAC would probably be pretty much as good as the DS/0, but would be significantly more difficult to get working well, and potentially particularly tricky to get access to streaming services such as Tidal or Qobuz.

If you can afford it, in my opinion a second hand DS/1 would provide superb sound quality until you finally purchase your ND555.     

If you intend to buy an ND555, why not get a Naim streamer now, such as a used NDX or ND5XS? This would match the boxes on your rack, and give you a chance to get used to the Naim app. You could even power it with a 555 psu which would then be nicely run in ready for the ND555. 

I didn't suggest a used NDX because I think that even a used NDX is likely to cost considerably more than a Lumin D2, and I know from experience that a Renew DS/0 has a significantly better SQ than that of an ND5XS given the quality of the rest of your system. In my opinion, a Renew DS/1 significantly out performs an NDX.  However, if you could get a used NDX for Lumin D2 money then it would certainly also be a decent choice.

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ChrisSU posted:

If you intend to buy an ND555, why not get a Naim streamer now, such as a used NDX or ND5XS? This would match the boxes on your rack, and give you a chance to get used to the Naim app. You could even power it with a 555 psu which would then be nicely run in ready for the ND555. 

i understood that Emre wants first to save money to buy the nd555 and kronos sparta.  So he prefers something cheap in the waiting .  But while i was writing that, i checked the price of the d2 :  around 2,7 k.     So finally, a second hand ndx would be also an option for this money.  But who could compare the d2 vs ndx vs klimax renew?    lumin s1 second hand is also a choice.

French Rooster posted:

ChrisSU posted:

If you intend to buy an ND555, why not get a Naim streamer now, such as a used NDX or ND5XS? This would match the boxes on your rack, and give you a chance to get used to the Naim app. You could even power it with a 555 psu which would then be nicely run in ready for the ND555. 

i understood that Emre wants first to save money to buy the nd555 and kronos sparta.  So he prefers something cheap in the waiting .  But while i was writing that, i checked the price of the d2 :  around 2,7 k.     So finally, a second hand ndx would be also an option for this money.  But who could compare the d2 vs ndx vs klimax renew?    lumin s1 second hand is also a choice.

A used NDX should hold its value over the short time until the ND555 becomes available, so this could, in the long term, be a cheap option, or even free!

ChrisSU posted:

French Rooster posted:

ChrisSU posted:

If you intend to buy an ND555, why not get a Naim streamer now, such as a used NDX or ND5XS? This would match the boxes on your rack, and give you a chance to get used to the Naim app. You could even power it with a 555 psu which would then be nicely run in ready for the ND555. 

i understood that Emre wants first to save money to buy the nd555 and kronos sparta.  So he prefers something cheap in the waiting .  But while i was writing that, i checked the price of the d2 :  around 2,7 k.     So finally, a second hand ndx would be also an option for this money.  But who could compare the d2 vs ndx vs klimax renew?    lumin s1 second hand is also a choice.

A used NDX should hold its value over the short time until the ND555 becomes available, so this could, in the long term, be a cheap option, or even free!

i wanted to say that 2,7 k is finally not so cheap ....after i checked the price of the d2.

Emre posted:

anybody had a change to listen Lumin d2...? I don’t... but I can order one

it looks nice and tick all the boxes

it might be a good streaming option till I save money for a nd555

my other option is to use ak sp1000 dap as a transport for qutest

both connected to a naim pre

 

You could also consider putting your 555PS on a second hand Naim DAC and then connect both the CDX2 and a server+renderer or network player (or dap) to the DAC.

This would give you more flexibility (the Naim DAC has 4 digital inputs, each consisting of a BNC or Coax and a Toslink) and a better integration with the pre-amplifier at less than the price of the d2.     

Innous Zen, SOtM -200, Auralic mini, or even a Raspberry Pi will all connect up to a Qutest and provide more than adequate cover until an ND555 arrives.

First of all thank you all your answers

1. Used linn streamer or a naim one is almost impossible to find at this part of the world.... or they will ask for a crazy prices also i see this time gap to try something other than Naim.... but i have eyes on a ND555 in a year time, i tend to buy one expensive piece a year ( or try to at least ) so i need to save money.

2. İ have an AK SP1000 DAP which can be used as a transport as well with its app to control it etc so it might be a solution as a streamer or even/dac streamer but i did not like the sound from 3.5mm to RCA into naim preamp.

3.My CD2X is without digital out, i bought it brand new but i think it was one of the last ones without digital out, i check with my local dealer that if it can be converted locally but it is not possible without sending it to UK which will cost more than its second hand value

4. I have a deal on Lumin d2 brand new considerably lover that a 2,7K£.... or even lower that 2,7K$....

5. I will use streaming from my NAS as well as Tidal

6. Qutest can be used with my SP1000 acting as streamer..... or even a hugo2 with a headphone amp and battery

it would be interesting to try something else other than Naim source for a while.... lets see what others are doing with new digital age...

Hi Emre,

If you are happy with the AK SP1000 as a transport and it can provide you with access to Tidal as well as music fro your NAS, then I suspect that your best option would be to use the SP1000 with a Qutest (assuming that you can get hold of one of these). I would expect it to sound at least as good as the Lumin, but it would be very much cheaper. 

Not much point in going for a Hugo2 unless you need is headphone app capability. The Qutest is basically the Hugo 2 in a bigger box without the headphone amp and at a significantly lower price. 

Good luck.