My digital journey continues...

Recently Lumin released the U2X streamer for a mere $10K+ when taxes are added and I was considering it, not that I'm dissatisfied with the U2 Mini, it's the audiophile nervosa kicking in.   I was also thinking of getting the Jays CDT-MK3.  My current CD source is a OPPO 103D which is connected to my CHORD TT2/M Scaler.  Combined that would amount to well over $12K!

My wife felt that I should consider a lobotomy instead, and, I must admit, there just maybe some merit to the suggestion.  So I started to think and came up with the following... why not try a budget option????  Could such an option satisfy the audiophile nervosa and prevent the neurosurgery???

So here's what I decided to do next...
First the CD transport - S.M.S.L PL200T.  Not too many reviews but it seemed worthy of a try.  I've taken delivery of the CD transport.

Second - a LPS for both the Lumin U2 Mini and the PL200T.  I had a Lumin LPS and liked what it did with the CHORD Qutest.  The Lumin LPS that I'll be getting is a dual output along with a Lumin board.

Total cost of all of the above - $2K.  I'll be doing this part of the journey in steps so that I can hear what each component contributes to what the end result will be.

JOMAN, I am interested in your LPS project for the Lumin U2 Mini. I picked up a U2 Mini a couple of months ago and configured it with the SDFB. Is the "dual output along with a Lumin board" you mentioned the one demoed by Alvin in one of his videos? Where did you purchase that LPS?

Let us know how it goes, and good luck becoming more frugal

I think that I should put a little more context into my previous post on the digital journey...

For me this is not about an endgame CD transport but a continuation of testing some the conclusions that I was sure would be final.  Eg. at one time I was absolutely sure that digital would never be as satisfying as analogue.  This journey has shown me that a lot has changed with digital and although different from analogue, for me, it is very satisfying.  Another conclusion that I was absolutely sure would never change was that integrated components would never produce end game results.  The Chord Hugo TT2/M Scaler combination trashed that conclusion.  Those working in tandem are a DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier that are capable of end game results and although not budget, taking into consideration the cost of three separate components, the cost is justifiable.  In time, before I conclude the journey, I may once again consider the DCS Lina and the WEISS 501 or 502 which are "integrated" digital components.

Recently I came across the Lumin U2X and read some reviews stating that it was better than the Lumin U2 Mini.  I started to think about selling the U2 Mini and getting one until a voice in my head said "are you insane spending an additional $10K??? " (or was that my wife?). Is the U2X really going to be that much better than what you currently really enjoy???  So why not just add a LPS and Lumin Board???  

During this time I was also giving thought to getting a CD transport.  Reason... I have been using my OPPO 103D as a universal player.  While it does very well with Blu Ray concerts, there is a difference when spinning CD's, not as good as with Blu Ray concerts.  I had settled on the CEC TL5 but the difference in price for one bought through the distributer in North America and one from Europe really ticked me off.  Either way it was going to be a direct buy for me so why the extra $$$$$$$$$$????

That's when I came across the S.M.S.L PL200T.  From what limited information that was available it appeared to have a solid chassis as good as many others or better, a very strong transport and mechanism along with a decent array of digital output jacks.  Seemed to be a good starting point, a good test subject for $499.00 USD delivered!  I have one and let me tell you, there's nothing that was exaggerated about its build.

The bonus is that I can get a LPS with a dual output that can power both the Lumin U2 Mini and the S.M.S.L. PL200T.  Evidently a LPS takes the PL200T up several notches.  I guess I'll see.

The test then is, will the PL200T be better than the OPPO 103D when spinning CD's and will it be enjoyable enough or will I have to get a Jays???

I will post the results, perhaps someone else can benefit.

As for the LPS... it will be the Plixir Elite BDC MKll.  Getting it from a Canadian Dealer - The Gramophone Inc.

I have already encountered an unexpected delay in my evaluation of the S.M.S.L PL200T transport.  My thinking was that the S/PDIF cable should be a cable that was a little more than entry level to match the PL200T.  I should have known better, I do know better but I wasn't thinking and that always costs.  The cable of choice should have been a match to the TT2/M Scaler not a "match" to the PL200T.  

Here's what happened.  Some time ago I picked up the Lumin U2 Mini and connected it to the TT2/M Scaler with a Vermouth Audio Reference USB cable along with the UFO25 and I'm now used to what that combination does.  I should mention that I'm running the TT2/M Scaler in the Dual BNC configuration using a pair of Wave Audio Storm Reference BNC cables.  The OPPO 103D digital stream was connected with a QED Quartz optical cable into the TT2/M Scaler.  I was surprised at the level of performance with that optical cable and although not entirely to my satisfaction it was "good enough" until I got around to replacing it.  Since I listened primarily to the streamed contend I forgot about getting a cable for the OPPO, until now.

I decided to replace the QED optical with a S/PIDF cable that I decided to buy thinking that it should be good enough, a Wireworld Starlight 10.  Actually not a bad cable as it turns out but definitely not suitable for me and my system.  Simply stated it lacked the transparency and nuance that I am so accustomed to and cannot do without.

The difference was strictly due to the cables.  The downstream components and cables were very happy to bring that to my attention.  As I stated earlier I knew better but wasn't thinking, yes it was a stupid moment, or two.  So now I'm in the process of getting the cables that I should have from the beginning and untiI decide which cables to get and actually get them the experiment is on hold.

Perhaps this experience may be of some benefit to others.

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This is what audiophile nervosa looks like.

Your story is similar to my experience going from a pretty nice Sony CD player as a transport to a "budget" dedicated transport. And, I hate to say it (not really), going to a Jay's will be another leap in SQ. For me, I have thousands of CDs and they are going to be a big part of my listening for as long as can listen, so the investment is well worth it. If CDs do not figure as prominently for you the S.M.S.L PL-200T may make sense as your end game.

Let me ask you this, how does physical media compare to streaming now? For me it took a couple of upgrade cycles before I was equally happy with physical media vs. playing files, but now I'm there. And then there is analog, which is a whole 'nother kettle of fish...

Knowing that your $500 transport outperforms the OPPO 103 being used as a transport does not surprise me at all.  A couple of years ago I purchased my Jays transport from a fellow forum member in order to compare it to my OPPO 205 which was being used primarily as a CD transport.  I had no intention of parting with my 205, but, surprisingly, CD playback using the Jays was so superior to playback of even SACD and Blu-ray through the 205 that I sold the OPPO on eBay.....for two and a half times its original retail price!  I still have hundreds of SACDs, but 95% of them are hybrid and the Jays plays them perfectly.  The few dozen Blu-ray Audio discs, HRx discs, and single layer SACDs in our music collection are now played in our family room system on our OPPO 103 player.  OPPOs are nice inexpensive universal players, but dedicated CD transports are amazing music makers in comparison.

I do have the Muon Streaming system which has now been replaced by the Muon Pro system at an eye watering 2,000.00BPS.  The Muon Pro streaming system is not in the budget, the original Moon streaming system that I have is staying, but it doesn't include the USB cable.  That's why I have the Vermouth USB cable.

I have already looked at a replacement and there's two from Muon, the ENO2 at 1,000.00BPS 😳 and the MUON2 at 1,400.00BPS 🤦‍♂️.  I doubt that I'll be going for the MUON2, possibly the ENO2.  There's also the Tubulos USB Cables, the David Laboga Emerald and one or two others that I'm evaluating.  So this is now a painful work in progress.

In all of the experimentation so far it is very evident that for components to be at their best, cables are critical especially when very transparent DAC's and amplifiers are involved.  Like the Chord TT2/M Scaler and the UFO25 combination.  This combination is brutally transparent in a very good way.  When they sing boy do they sing!

Good info, thanks.

The cables that I'm considering in no particular order:

- Networks Acoustics EVO2 (sent email to NA)
- Tubulus Xinope
- FTA Sinope

Any input would be welcome.  At the price of these cables I think that I'll first get the PLIXIR LPS and Lumin board.  It will power both the PL200-T and the Lumin.  Then the cable.

Awesome that you have a great transport. I just am amazed at my PS Audio transports, they have rivaled my turntable which is high praise (and they have always bested streaming whenever I compared--that's why there is no music streaming here). Cabling, power treatment, isolation and great source components--everything matters, a fact I guess I am starting my third decade "knowing"--I wish that weren't the darned truth.

The PL200-T with the Wave Stream RCA to BNC cables continues to impress.  Now on to next and hopefully final steps, unless audio nervosa kicks in.  Based on the limited reviews a LPS takes the transport and streamer up to a significant level.

So, the next steps in this experiment...

First, I'll be ordering the Plixir Elite dual output BDC with the Statement cables and Lumin board.  

Next, I'll be replacing the Vermouth Reference USB.  The three under consideration were FTA Sinope, Tubulus Ximius and the Muon ENO2.  I've decide to go with the ENO2 (unless I pony up for the Muon2 (audio nervosa).  

This will take another couple of months so when each step is completed I'll post the results.

OK, I have been listening to the Lumin U2 Mini with the Plixir Lumin Kit installed powered by the Elite BDC MK2 and the results are unexpected and have me scratching my head.  I'll expand a little later on that.

The Lumin kit comes with the Standard DC cable.  I did order the Statement cable but it wasn't shipped.  I expect it's on its way or soon will be.  I had a Plixir Elite BDC first generation powering the Chord Cutest and the Statement cable did make a significant difference.  Based on that experience I wasn't prepared for the results of the MK2 with the Standard cable.

The first hour was really confusing.  The sound was "dark" but detailed and what struck me was that the sound was, for lack of a better description, very "analogue".  Up till that point I was satisfied with the "digital" presentation as being different from analogue but still enjoyable and satisfying.  That has now totally changed.

By the fifth hour the "darkness" was dissipating and giving way to blackness, even more details but presented in a "gentler" way, "warm" doesn't really apply although some may describe it with that word.  It now has transparency with absolutely no glare.  

It is evident that the sound stage is determined by the recording.  It can be wide and deep or intimate.  The artists are firmly positioned within the soundstage in relationship with one another.  Describing this as layering isn't a sufficient enough description.

I'm listening at lower volume levels feeling more emotion and still enjoying a dynamic presentation.  Either I can't sit still or there's a lump in my throat or a smile on my face.  Today I noticed that, at times, I would loose grip on my iPhone as I was listening.  Once I get the Statement cable I'll post again.

The Plixir Elite BDC MK2 is a major step up from the original.

Now, how does the S.M.S.L. PL200T sound with the Plixir?  I don't know.  The Plixir for the Lumin is a 12V 5A supply and the S.M.S.L. is 5V 1A... BUMMER!

I did compare it to CD's on the OPPO BDP103D.  What a mistake!  I asked my wife for her opinion between the two.  Her response... "it's kind a-obvious don't you think?"  I asked "in what way... please" (I know better than not to say please).  Well the OPPO is flat and boring the other is full of emotion and life"... I'm now seeing if I can upgrade the P.S. in the OPPO.

So, it looks like I'm in for more PLIXER LPS.  I did not think that I would get one for my Chord TT2/M Scaler but my confidence in getting one for those components has increased and I'm reviewing the budget.

JOMAN,

Excellent review, and as a U2 Mini owner I'm excited to hear of the resuts. Keep us posted, and congrats.

Tony

Now that you mention it, the results were with the Vermouth Audio Reference USB cable in place.  Which now tells me that it is a pretty good cable.  When I bought it I read reviews from Hi Fi Advice which compared it to a number of cables including the Pink Faun Interlink and the Final Touch Callisto USB cable.  The comparison was favourable at a lower cost.  

I had/have decided to go for the Moun Eno cable being that I have the Muon system but for less money I can get another Plixir LPS for the Chord TT2/M Scaler.  Then there's the S.M.S.L. that I'll have to do something about.  For it I may get the Volumio Rivo LPS, or I might spring for another Plixir.

So it would seem that the power supplies have now become a priority and the Muon Eno cable will may happen later.  Got some 🤔 to do...

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Taking into consideration your honorable heritage 🤔, I just can't imagine that hapening even in my wildest dreams 😆.

do dheagh shlainte!

One of the thoughts I keep returning to over the years that your Norah Jones story reminded me of is that often when I get a new piece of equipment or alter something in my system I find myself listening more intensely than when everyday listening- which then leads me to wonder is it the change in system or just me paying more attention. A good A/B session will often find the answer but I’ve honestly found myself about 50/50 on that answer.
Not saying this is your situation, just admitting this anecdote that I have found myself in more than once and helps me relax when I start getting the itch to try something new.