la scala sounds good with the purist audio gear very detail more holographic the lumin is definitely more sweeter and warmer-sih for "those were the days" amazing clarity strings have a nice shimmer to them everything has more acoustic space la scala with purist crazy amount of detail and amazing black background compared to the lumin, it's MUCH more shine which takes a bit of warmth away from vocals, but otherwsie sounds quite beautiful fantastic imaging, pin point for vocals and instruments nothing ever sounds cluttered on the la scala, and nothing is left covered vocal separation is better on the la scala, you should hear when she chimes in, all instruments have their own acoustic space The only real complaint i have is that the vocals don't sound as natural as I would like but most wouldn't be bother by that, esp if they have warmer gear. better textures on strings lumin - much more natural, festive, but the soundstaging cues aren't as apparent. the la scala makes the level of each component very aparrent. la scala gives you better separation and delineation of the vocals and everything else but still gives that piecewise sound which isn't cohesive bass is more apparent ont he lumin, strings scala has less wieght on the plucking of the bass the yodller's location is much more accurate more detail the harmonizing male vocals it's a detail monster clearly clear and black background scala sounds more spacious scala much wider lumin more down to earth scala uncovers everything scala has a deeper soundstage violin has more texture and character, although a bit brighter and maybe not as natural scala is an xray into the music. every little nuance. the tradeoff is a bit of meat to the bones and cohesivneess. have to admit the scala could get pretty addictive but could fatigue some may appreciate the xtra detail of the scala for sure. microscopic. but some may prefer musicality and body. scala = extremely separation, wide, spacious, every detail of the recording is heard, bells, etc. pinpiont imaging, the only two drawbacks is the lack of warmth and weight on the low end and vocals are a bit lean. longer listening sesssions, the lumin is better. scala is great to hear the details of the recording. everything that came out of the mic. i did find the la scala overall more dynamic the plucking is more apparent on the scala for sure, everything takes front stage, everything is detailed. the lumin is just more graceful and doesn't emphaise one over another. i would think scala is great for classical and strings. lumin warmer more natural. lumin isn't as revealing/resolving as the scala, no doubt. it's just more natural and that's my preference. scala is very analytical which allows you shap with cables, etc. the la scala's only real flaw is its lack of body and warmth. meat on the bones. otherwise, it's a highly musical and detailed DAC. when switching between the lumin and scala my first thought is "the lumin is more down to earth. more organic and natural while the scala was more of the show off, everything's more forward and in extreme detail" the scala is a MUST for detail freaks. you do indeed hear more of the recording...but i do believe it's not presented in a natural way to my ears. the lumin picks and chooses which parts it wants to shwo off and offers an amazing listening experience. I'm completely happy with the lumin but could apprecaite what the scala achieved. jazz, opera, classical la scala is without a doubt more holographic and richer la scala is more tactile transparency king high diamoad d7, organics dana cable holographic balanced richer jAZZ AT PAWN SHOP alta audio solo elimeno rapper visionaries group hip hop alert 312 analog, no beat machine - elephants beautiful eulogy - portland orange john foreman - the wonderlands, summer broque medelson chello vincent french quiver miles jazz - snare reason software audio http://www.amazon.com/Celsus-Sound-Companion-Portable-Headphone/dp/B00RLHDQ42 Scala Hard to get shrill clean x-ray into the music tho reminds me of dragonfly could be the kimber silver streak cables or abyss not really considered a bright DAC extremely black background fatiguing I could imagine the scala doing quite well with a speaker system with a subwoofer or tube amp or warmer gear. when switching from the S1 to the Scala, it sounds like a brighter room, more spacious, but rides the top-end a bit too much for my taste. super black background switching back to the S1 reveals how more of a treble tinge was applied. The vocals are back to being natural and sweet. Soundstage is more realistic and levels of each instruments are more natural. cymbals and drums sound much better on the S1. No complaints. If the S1 was just slightly brighter...maybe it'll be better. scala wider soundstage for sure very tight low-end scala more forward midrange extreme details with strings dragonfly or showroom effect vs Lumin S1 The lumin sounds a bit cloudier at first switch of the input switch but you quickily realize how much more natural it sounds Switching from S1 to La Scala, the italian might offer more excitement but vocals lose their realism. Drum slams don't sound realistic but admittedly sound good. More warmer and musical more romantic it just sounds right, doesn't bring everything to the front but makes it enjoyable to listen to, realistic melts you in your chair, no qualms at all I like the S1 in every way compared to the La Scala other than detail retrieval meat to the bones you could hear the warmth and body of the vocals, scala is a bit artificial I find myself going back to the Lumin, just sounds more like music enjoy the bass off the lumin much more, thin on scala tring hard to like relaxed rather than aggressive Swiktching to balanced on the scala and keeping rca on lumin, i still prefer the lumin (Audience AU24 SE) the scala does sound more expansive but i can't get over that unnatural metallic tinge the balanced connection with the lumin KILLS the la scala without question vocals are much more natural and realistic on the lumin layering is great on the scala but i think more organic on the lumin, the lumin doesn't trade details. scala is extermely detailed, you could hear everyting. probably better with speakers with subs and warmer eq. still a bit fatiguing always find myself switching back to the Chinese switching brings the treble and upper mids back down to earth. earthy scala difficult to listen to The lumin is just more down to earth comapred to the scala. the scala is the show off, detail king, vocals are a bit thin. no meat. Lumin is more honest Chord US Even with USB there's a tinge. need to try with regen the S1 sounded a lot more analog To do: Testing from streamer or from laptop biggest differences foobar vs local file on usb differences in balanced and SE My comments are mainly an amalgam of my experience Read more at http://www.stereophile.com/content/chord-electronics-mojo-da-headphone-amplifier#4KDurIfEtAekLvpe.99 Before ending compare to 430 use uptone compare to streamer La Scala balanced extremely detailed wide soundstage (infinite) Scala sounds much better on balanced, not harsh bells have this beautiful ring to them balanced scala vs lumin, the scala is better for sure I think the scala needs to be supplemented with a sub vocals are still sweeter even when lumin is using RCA lacking in low-end, mid-bass tight though micro-detail master the difference between going from SE to balanced ws so insane i was curious about the the scaling as you move up the audio cable food chain. Going from the hugo tt to the lumin s1...big difference. sounds like a different recording, more holographic. overall scala is closer to the lumin than the hugo tt.