I agree with tour post on many counts. The difference really is in the UX beyond a certain point. The Naum Uniti is a good product because I like the UX. However, the Core is pretty much all you need. I can’t hear the difference above a Core. Now my speakers are not the most revealing.

Lumin U1, what do you think? I could order a streamer from Sweden where there are more brands to choose from.

I doubt any / many here have tried a Lumin.

Decide whether you want a streamer (i.e transport) only, or a streamer / DAC.

Me, I go for the streamer / DAC.

But I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with a streamer alone, especially if, as you say, you're not overly fussy about musical presentation etc.

Many of the units that people have replied with (including the Linn I'm going to use) are pretty damn expensive. And yes, while the 50s (or 90s) are also a lot of money, that doesnt necessitate spending multiple thousands again.

If you're happy with Deezer, and using the B&O app / Halo, then given the above, a Core may be plenty good enough. After all, a fair few people on here have remarked that the Core is surprisingly capable, although the 50/90s may sound better with something "better".

Anyway, as I'm not prepared to use the B&O app, and wanted Roon - a 3rd party unit was always going to be better for me.

MichaelFrilund wrote:

Lumin U1, what do you think? I could order a streamer from Sweden where there are more brands to choose from.

PS Audio's Directstream DAC seems to be a good one, and not terribly expensive if compared to Naim for example. And it gets software updates so it would be like having a new one about twice a year.

I've tested a Core with 50s, and a Linn streamer with 50s.

Much preferred the Linn combo.

But thats just me.

seethroughyou wrote:

Why would you want a DAC?

 

The Beolab 50/90s have one of the best/most transparent DACs in the world?

seethroughyou wrote:

Why would you want a DAC?

The Beolab 50/90s have one of the best/most transparent DACs in the world?

there are some good reasons why you would do that;-

1. Aries 1 had a compatibility issue early on with the BL90s rendering it unusable

2. I believe you can get better “sounds” via the DAC-ACD and in my opinion a more “analogue” sound

3. The Vega DAC I use can also act as a very good pre-amp for my record deck and the SPdif output of the Oppo

4. I never liked using the USB connects even though it should be the best. Clunky to control volume and the sound was not the best for me.

10

Maybe have a look outside the regular hifi box:

A completely different approch for home use can be one of the professional DJ media players from Pioneer and Denon. The Denon players have two variants, the regular and the "m" variant which has a motorized turntable platter for some kind of vinyl feeling.
You'll have great local control / search functions. No app required, bomb proof reliable machines (hard- and software), digital output, multiple source options.
The Denon machines feature dual layer configuration, which means that you can feed your Beolab 50/90 with Digital output 1 and feed another B&O system with Digital or analog output 2 to allow multiroom usage. Of course both layers can play different tracks at the same time.
And the Denon players can stream from Tidal, Beatport, Soundcloud and Beatsource.

Denon SC6000
https://www.denondj.com/sc6000-prime

Denon SC6000m (identical to the SC6000 but with motorized platter)
https://www.denondj.com/sc6000m-prime

Denon SC5000:
https://www.denondj.com/sc5000%20prime-sc5000primexus

Denon SC5000m: (identical to the SC5000 but with motorized platter)
https://www.denondj.com/sc5000m-prime-sc5000mprimexus


Pioneer CDJ3000:
https://www.pioneerdj.com/en-gb/product/player/cdj-3000/black/overview/#info


After playing with some of these there are only very few hifi digital playback sources that comes close to such an easy and fast local operation:
- Sony HAP-Z1es
- Hermstedt Hifidelio (old and maybe very unknown)

Interesting idea, thank you! Would not have thought of this myself.

At first I said to myself it will not work, but I would not mind giving it a try.

Sorry I forgot:

You can install a SSD into Denon SC6000 and SC6000m to have your music ready on the device. There's a cover underneath the unit.
That way you would have something like a Beosound 5 in a space ship outfit. 🙂