![]() When I put the DIDs back in for the same selections, the perceived differential between the DS and the X1 widened in favor of the X1, with vocals most noticeablly more natural and nuanced-think better than the DS now. The DIDs improved both over the stock feet and the Herbie's Tenderfeet. Very early on the imaging was flat, and vocals too detailed and sharp. The X1 really needs substantial break in, and the presentation really does evolve. I have been using some Daedalus DIDs feet under my X1 from early on. The DS direct to active crossover provides more noticeable detail retrieval than through my preamp and not as warm either. Though I favored the X1 on this run, it was much closer than I had thought it would be. It is just a very enjoyable unit to listen to. The DS was a bit warmer and overall very organic presentation. Soundstage seemed close on some and seemingly wider with the X1. It seemed to present more detail information. ![]() I thought imaging and dynamics were better with the X1 with seemingly better transient retrieval. My initial impressions favored the DS for vocals, with seemingly more weight and seemingly more natural voice texture. I have not kept further track of hours on my X1, but should be close to 400 hours. I was listening for vocal qualities, imaging, sound staging, perceived dynamics, and perceived transient retrieval. These involved female and male vocals, and variety of instruments. I used a variety of music selections with Redbook rates as well as DSD 64, DSD 128, 24/96, and DXD (352 kHz) with selections I like and am familiar with. I used Herbie's Tenderfeet under the DS and initially used these as well as same cables for the X1. I transferred these from the X1 to DS for testing direct to the active crossover. ![]() I recently have acquired a pair of Audio Sensibility Signature OCC Silver XLR cables that have approximately 60 hours run time on them so far. The Matrix is powered by an HDPlex linear power supply. From the mR I connected a WireWorld Platinum Starlight USB to a Matrix X-SPIDF-2 with a WW Starlight 7 HDMI cable to I2S on the DS. I also run copper to a microRendu from A Side and use a separate power supply, Uptone LPS 1.2 for it. I have a ground connection from my SoTM PS1000 linear supply to the ER. I am connected via fiber optic ethernet from A Side of an EtherRegen. My X1 is going direct to my active crossover and currently not using a preamp. I came away with renewed respect for the PS Direct Stream, but did prefer the Lumin X1 overall. I also did not level match the various combinations I tested. My impressions are my own perceptions on my on own system. I did some comparisons over the long weekend with my PS Direct Stream and my Lumin X1. I was one of the early ordering owners of the DS, and it has been completely trouble free for me. Both PS Audio and Lumin provide free updates to their platforms. It will be interesting to do this with the DS. If you do not have other sources you wish to use, this makes for a very simple connection system. However, the X1 direct to active crossover has provided excellent results. I really like my preamp,a Vinnie Rossi L2 Statement DHT, which also has a DAC. I will try to cut some time this long weekend to do that and will do listening using the same XLR cabling from the DACs to the active crossover. Lately I have been experimenting with running the X1 straight to active crossover and not using the preamp. It truly has dramatically improved from the out of the box and as I continue to add plaing hourss. The Lumin X1 takes significant break-in of at least 200 hours but recommendations say double that and I am getting close now. With the DirectStream (DS), I have connected via microRendu both with USB and then with Matrix from microRendu and then I2S to preamp. I have both but not compared them the same way yet.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |