maybe it was mentioned higher up, but I don’t think the T3 has any inputs, so you can’t use it as a standalone DAC.
It’s a streamer with a built-in DAC. Unlike the U2 mini, which is just the streamer and you need to feed it into a separate DAC.
I’ve been thinking about this integrated vs separates question, too. Like, what to get if I ever decide to upgrade from my stupid little Raspberry Pi + PI2AES HAT streamer (which I feed into a Denafrips Pontus II DAC).
The question is whether a standalone Lumin T3 would sound better than a U2 Mini + Pontus.
Steve Huff reviewed several streamers including the Mini. I don’t recall what DAC he ran them through in but recall a comment that it was slightly “better” than a BlueSound Node.
I may be conflating reviews but recall him mentioning these same streamers along with the Lumin T3 when reviewing the Weiss DAC 204.
It was these reviews and comments here that led me to conclude a well implemented single box will serve me well, especially since I’m deaf to many of the subtleties that others hear.
Yes, that was me who posted that way back on May 11 when I first found out about the Master Edition. Still haven’t heard anything from anyone with real inside knowledge on the subject yet.
I have used the bridge in the DS jr streaming via Roon in my office system for several years. It was acceptable for low level listening but I always felt the need to get back to cd for serious listening. I had the Project Stream Box S2 Ultra in my living room for use with Sprout and KEF ls50 and decided to try it in the office. It is a very significant improvement, even at concert levels the sound is rich , spacious and relaxing. I haven’t played a cd in two weeks. At least in this room a separate streamer has made me very happy.
