Audiophilepure

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/lumin-l2-music-library-network-switch-review-r1253

Sound from the Lumin L2 to the dCS Rossin APEX was, as it should be, amazing. What surprised me most was the dead silence and black background while playing music. This wasn’t something for which I listened, as I was just trying to kick back and enjoy the music. It was one of those things that was immediate once I hit play.

With the Lumin L2 delivering nothing but music, leaving any upstream electrical issues behind via optical isolation, my Rossini APEX was elevated to another level. I must have listened to Aoife O’Donovan’s entire catalog four or five times over the ensuing two days. The album Aoife plays Nebraska was recorded live in Brooklyn at Aoife’s home, and sounded like she was literally playing right in front of me. There is a special under-produced feel to this album, in addition to fantastic music, that when heard through a revealing system can really place O’Donovan in the room.

Another Aoife O’Donovan album  that I purchased from Bandcamp and placed on the Lumin L2’s SSDs is Age of Apathy Solo Sessions, recorded live at The Audio Temple at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. It’s another barebones recording that really shines and reveals a three dimensional image when played on components as capable as the L2 > Rossini APEX combo. The dead silence and black backgrounds were ever-present on this album as well, leading me to keep listening until 1:00 am this morning. This transparency made it so easy to listen at low volume while my family slept, yet still hear every single detail as if the level was turned to 11.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/matrix-audio-element-x2-pure-network-attached-dac

As a networked DAC/preamp, there are various ways to use the Element X2 Pure, but for much of my listening I ran it straight into the aforementioned Primare A35.2 power amp, streaming via Roon. This made for a fuss-free, clutter-free system and long, jukebox-style listening sessions where the DAC’s defined, open sound appeared suited to every flavour of music.

The genre-hopping exuberance of Amadou & Mariam’s Dimanche À Bamako album [Because Music; 44.1kHz/16-bit], where African, Middle Eastern and Western instruments bubble away in a blues/reggae-tinged melting pot, spotlighted the Element X2 Pure’s ability to capture timbral differences and microdynamics. The grooving gait and vocal presence of ‘Senegal Fast Food’ was so enjoyable I tried to sing along – despite not understanding the French lyrics

https://www.hifinews.com/content/matrix-audio-element-x2-pure-network-attached-dac

The precision of this DAC’s delivery and focus of its soundstaging made clear the differences in production between ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres album from 1973 [Warner Bros; 96kHz/24-bit], and their best-selling 1981 set Eliminator [Warner Bros; 44.1kHz/16-bit]. The former shines a light on the guitars with a forward, open sound, while the latter – which saw the Texan trio add synthesisers and drum machines – puts Billy Gibbons’ six-string further back, aiming for a thicker, more atmospheric feel. Different approaches, but both thrilling.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/denon-dnp-2000ne-networked-attached-dac

What about that HDMI input? Well, there’s a lot of good music content to be found on your smart TV. One of my favourites is Bruce Springsteen’s Letter To You, a sweet and poignant Apple TV documentary covering the recording of the artist’s 2020 album of the same name, and touching upon Springsteen coming to terms with his advancing years.

I’ve watched it many times in its Dolby Atmos incarnation, but in stereo through the DNP-2000NE and the rest of the Denon separates it was equally delightful – crisp, enveloping and intense. Everything about the production – the black and white imagery, Springsteen’s voice-over, the excellent recording of the band – is made to pull you in. The well-featured DNP-2000NE was up to the challenge.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1223/LampizatOr_Pacific_2_DAC_Review.htm

The tube complement of the LampizatOr Pacific 2 extracted a more robust presentation of saturation and color. The Elektra is an exceptional tool for reviewing but demands equally statement level everything else to get all it can give. For $20,000 less, the Pacific 2 was an exceptional tool for listening, no matter what I moved into or out of the system. As I remember with the Golden Gate 2, the Pacific 2 is more forgiving of the imperfections in the remainder of the system, cabling, recording, file format, room, everything. I could (and did) make it more accurate and detailed with tube swapping, but it just didn’t feel right with Pacific 2. My final preference for tubes was the Tungsram 200/600 4V rectifier with adapter, EML PX4 driver tubes in a balanced quad configuration. The LampizatOr wants to give you a big hug, not just a simple handshake.