Simple "Integration" for PC
 

I've made the decision to significantly simplify my system. After over a decade of a using a fairly complex system comprised fully of "separates" and the complex clusterf*ck of optical fiber/Ethernet/USB digital cabling, switches, clocks, and network bridges, power supplies, and the attendant power cables for the power supplies for the "digital front end", I've decided to simplify and "integrate" my system and move towards "ideality*" as espoused by Geinrich Altschuler*, who developed TRIZ.

With that, I've decided I'm going to sell my CJ LP70S power amp, First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 Si-III dual-mono preamp with external dual power supplies, my Lampizator Baltic 3 DAC, all the streaming gear in the main rack, and all the requisite cabling attached thereto.

Not counting the TT & phono pre, as soon as possible, my amplification system is going to be comprised of only two components:

a Lumin P-1 streamer/DAC/preamp...

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...Frt-Panel3.jpg

and a Constellation Inspiration integrated amp...

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...ront-Panel.jpg

After fiddling with a complex remote-server streaming system set-up comprised of, in the main rack alone, an EtherREGEN, a SOtM network bridge, an AfterDark Master Clock, each with their requisite Ethernet cables, clock cables, USB cables, ground cables, and power cables for their power supplies, blah, blah, blah, I'm going to simplify and run a single optical fiber cable straight into the back of the Lumin P-1 and connect it via a single pair of ICs to the Constellation Inspiration integrated amp. Job done! :thumbsup::D

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...nd-Altaira.jpg

I'll also be able to remove a number of components and cables: 4 power cables, an Ethernet cable, a USB cable, and a clock cable from the main system: 6 fewer devices and 7 fewer cables in the main rack.

For power, from Everest, gonna run a Sigma NRv2 PC to power the Inspiration, and an Omega QR-s PC to power the Lumin P-1.

I'll only need Venom-X ICs from the Lumin P-1 (XLR) and the EAR phono stage (RCA) to the Inspiration integrated amp, and from there, Alpha V2 speaker cables to the 'Beth 30.2s.

I'll be putting up all the other gear (the Lampi DAC, the First Sound preamp, the C-J LP70S amp, etc.) up for sale as soon as I can take and post some product shots, so, if interested, stay tuned for the corresponding ads, the prices will be very favorable for prospective buyers.

Simpler is better. Just as Linn said all those years ago.

Stay tuned and cheers.

*– Ideality as described by Altschuler: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIZ

Congrats! :thumbsup:
Recently did a similar thing (though I've not gone 'digital' other than the Oppo, which I have not fully optimized - some day I'll get my NUC up and running) and love the simplicity of not ever having to think about tubes and fiddling with settings, etc. Just relax and listen. knowing that it is the music and not the gear.
The performance of today's integrated amps is truly amazing.

I do have one question......................... what does the dried apple core sitting on your amp add to the SQ? ;)

PM sent

Ha! That’s not a dried Apple core, it’s a small “stalking leopard” toy. I refer to it as the stalking leopard “resonance killer”. :p

Hi Puma-Cat - looks excellent! will you rely on Lumin or the Constellation for volume control?
Also, how will route the output of your phone preamp?

Hi Craig, I’ll just set the Lumin’s LEEDH volume to about 85% and use the Constellation to tweak final output volume. For the phono stage, I’ll connect that directly to one of the Inspiration’s inputs. As my EAR 324 has XLR OUT, I’ll very likely just get another pair of Shunyata Venom-X XLR ICs for the phono stage as well, as the XLR inputs of the Inspiration sound a skosh better than the RCA’s. Cheers. :thumbsup:

The Lumin P-1 arrived today. :thumbsup:

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...ng-right2.jpeg

I did the P-1 "install" with my iPhone. Downloaded the Lumin app, and it immediately found the P-1 on my network, and downloaded the latest version of the operating system, in all of about 2 minutes. Then, I logged into my Qobuz account, and was streaming from the P-1 via the iPhone in a manner of minutes. :music:

I'm presently using it with my little Amp Camp amps; both the P-1 and the ACAs are connected to an "analog amplification segment" SG Altaira hub. What makes this easy is that Lumin installed a proper chassis ground terminal on the back of the P-1. Just another reason why Lumin has it goin' on in my view.

And...it sounded absolutely FANTASTIC right off the truck, without even having had time to settle or burn-in, yet. :music:

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...ystem%201A.jpg

Contrast the P-1 set-up to this set-up, previously....

All the gear inside the red borders is now gone, all replaced by just the P-1.
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...ff%20Going.jpg

Did a "back-of-napkin" calculation, and by installing the P-1 and going with the Inspiration integrated, I've been able to remove...15 "bits of gear" from the system, after adding up all the cables, power supplies, components, switches, blah, blah, etc.

Simpler really is better....:thumbsup:

Looks great, nice and clean and I'm glad you are enjoying the sound. How's the DAC in the P=1 section sounding compared to past DAC's you've owned? wink wink :thought: Truly curious.

Keep us posted.

There’s definitely something to be said for removing all those potential places for RFI/EMI ingress along with the separate devices themselves with all the EMI/RFI they generate.

This is a relatively new problem as the number of devices and the complexity of digital systems has increased dramatically. I didn’t have to worry about clock leakage or Ethernet EMI in the analog days, or even when silver disc spinners were king.

Now I need a broadband noise meter, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer and network analyzer to find and kill all the noise sources in my system. PITA

I like the Mitchell. Classy. :thumbsup: