Lumin upgrade

op we were lumin dealers for many years.

 

we have had numerous clients who have traded in their Lumins for a 432evo music server this is a purpose built usb only modular music server designed to run Roon

our servers better aurender and are fully modular and upgradable,

 

dave andTroy

audio intellect NJ

US Importers 432evo music servers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roon

Thanks for the links/info Audiotroy. I appreciate it.

At this point in my audio journey, I’m happy to stick with the Lumin line, and the dealer I purchased the U2 mini from is offering an excellent trade-in value. The dealer has offered an in-home testing period of one week, which gives me an option to go on a different direction if need be.

I hope that the U2 will provide a substantial increase in my system’s SQ.

BEST, JAMES

Keep us informed of your assessment. I have the U2mini and may want to go that way myself.

Will do @doodlebum!

I'd be curious how the U2 improves on the excellent U1 in the real world but Lumin has always been excellent, so can't see how one could go wrong.

Yes @christianb5s4 , the U1 mini and U2 mini are excellent performers, and, as mentioned, even better with an external LPS.  I'm expecting a solid improvement with the U2, especially with the fiber input and isolated DAC USB output.

Fingers crossed!  Will report back.

Best, JAMES.

Hello:

I received the U2 on Thursday, and am running it in now. Lumin suggests 200 hours, so I’ve got about a week to go.

Right out of the box, my first impressions are that the U2 is definitely an upgrade from the U2 mini/LPS. The bass feels more ’full’ and has more depth/punch, the mids are more articulated, and the top end is detailed but not bright or edgy, at least, to my ears. The playback of recordings that have a wide soundstage is even more 3-dimensional and holographic.

I’ve also found that as I listen during the run-in process, the SQ is improving, so I’m looking forward to having some listening sessions once the 200 hour mark is passed.

Also, I had a question re run-in process, sent an email to Lumin and got a timely response from Peter Lie. This was also the case with the U2 mini. So if you’re concerned about purchasing from a non-North American company, you don’t need to be. (also, there are many authorized Lumin dealers in Canada/US)

I’ll post back once the run-in process is complete. Thanks to all for your interest/perspective.

Best, JAMES.

@jimboman I have the LUMIN U2 as well and I created a playlist for burn-in that had multiple sample rates; 16/44, 24/48, 24/88, 24/96, on up to DSD64, and I set it on repeat for a week.  I just wanted to recommend that to you.

Share your impressions if you try the different digital outputs.

I was using the LUMIN USB output with my Holo Audio DAC, but I’m using the AES output paired with my recently purchased MSB Discrete DAC as I don’t have the USB module.  The AES output sounds excellent, but I would like to demo the USB when I get the MSB USB module on loan.

Hi @dbt   thanks for the playlist recommendation. I’ve got a 14 hour list on repeat now. Should be up to 200 hours by this coming weekend.  On a side note, Lumin recommended leaving the DAC on during burn in, unless you’re using a tube DAC. 

I’ve been listening in periodically during the past few days, and it really seems that the tunes are generally more holographic with the U2. Definitely a next level improvement. I’m really enjoying the music and feel that the next upgrade to ‘open up’ the system a bit more might be some better XLR interconnects, and maybe a speaker cable upgrade at some point in future.

I’m using the Lumin USB output, with an Audioquest Coffee USB cable. My Benchmark DAC3 HGC doesn’t have AES, although I’ve heard that interface sounds very good as well.  At this point, I see no need to try the optical or coax inputs - especially given that the U2 has an optimized USB output. Although, it’s always fun to experiment!

Best, JAMES

@jimboman It sounds like you are on the right track!  I use Cardas Clear XLR interconnects and speaker cables, with Audioquest power cords.  I always preferred USB music playback because I could play the highest sample rates with my Holo Audio DAC, but my music files and Qobuz max out at 24/192 kHz and I don’t upsample.  I have one DSD64 music file, that’s the highest sample rate music file I own.  If you have an AES cable, then it’s a free demo for you.  
 

Have a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

After probably about 300 hours of running in the Lumin U2, I'm loving it.  It's a solid performer, running with no issues.  Pumping out the music in a very satisfying manner.

There is more detail, more musicality, more presence, more 'depth' to the soundstage and dynamics.  Overall, a very solid upgrade to my system.

Not much else to say, other than that I'm demoing some XLR interconnects now.  Enjoying the process.  So much listening to do!

Best, JAMES.

@jimboman got my answer to the question on how you are connecting streamer to dac. So did the U2 opened up the top end a bit? It should be a nice step up in resolution from the Mini. 

@audphile1 Definitely opened up the top end.  Feels like a lot more of the tracks have a holographic presentation, much more open than the U2 mini/Sbooster.

Resolution is also greater.  I'm enjoying hearing much deeper into the recordings.

Of course, it's not always great.  On one tune, (Black Crows, not something I usually listen to) I think I heard analog distortion, which I'd not heard before.  Maybe it was something on my end, but it definitely wasn't something I heard before.  Of course, I've compounded the degree of difficulty by testing some new XLR interconnects...heh heh.  Oh yeah, and a pair of jumpers.  The fun goes on!

That said, I can 100% vouch that the Lumin U2 is a keeper in my system!

JAMES.

Cool. Great to hear! 

Hey @audphile1 Congrats on your Aurender purchase!  Fantastic piece.  If I didn't have a lead on the Lumin U2, I was seriously considering the N200.  It is amazing how much the source can improve one's system.  Enjoy!

JAMES.

@jimboman Thanks!!! Yes it’s mind boggling the difference this streamer made. Truly impressed with it.

It would be interesting if someone did a shoot out between the Lumin U2, Aurender N200 and the HiFi Rose RS 130.

I don't get chance to come on AudioGon often, but it was really nice to come on and read your experience of LUMIN U2.
Really glad you decided to stick with LUMIN!
 

We still get told just about every day that 'bits are bits' and that there can be absolutely no difference between transports or computer, etc. I'm glad the upgrade worked out for you!

(Associated with LUMIN)

@thingswelike There is definitely a substantial difference between the two units.  I'm really happy I took the leap.  The Lumin is an excellent streamer, built like a tank.  It's going to stay in my system for a long while.

Best, JAMES.

I have the U2 mini, and its sound will vary depending upon the quality of the linear power supply used with it.

I'm currently using an Antipodes S60 LPS with it, and I'm very happy with it. 

Add an Isotek syncro uni DC canceling unit, and the Lumin's listenability goes up even further.

@macdude I enjoyed my U2 mini as well, with the sBooster PS.  The linear supply in my U2 is very smooth and quiet.  Did you have hum issues with your amplifier, to need the Isotek?  Or was it a general upgrade for your system?

Best, JAMES.

@jimboman No amp hum, but the Isotek syncro uni has always improved the sound when used with my amp. It also improves the performance and listenability of the Lumin. 

It lowers the noise floor and gets rid of the bass muddiness.

@macdude Thanks for the info.  I haven't gotten into Power conditioning yet, but am running my AHB2 solely off a dedicated 20A 3-wire hospital grade setup.  Will keep the Isotek in mind for future upgrades.

Best, JAMES.

@jimboman The Isotek syncro uni is usually used for hum, as you mentioned, but it's a kind of a secret that it always improves the sound.

I think it's a big part why I can listen to my stereo during the day now.

@macdude Regarding listening during the day, do you mean, at low levels, things are cleaner/clearer?

@jimboman Yes, without a doubt.

It also opens up and sweetens the sound.

I'm coming up on a year of ownership with my Lumin U2.  And I still absolutely love it and to this day, I have no desire to upgrade - and that says a lot. I was your typical, insecure audiophile but finally found a source that gave me loads of security. This Lumin also has something only few other streamers possess. An optical input. For those with fiber optic LANs, it's a no-brainer. 

Hi I have a U2 as well and love it.  If you want to try the fiber optic input you can get a media converter ethernet to optical (Lumin recommends Trendnet).  As long as you are currently hard wired to your U2, you take the ethernet cable that is plugged into your U2 and plug it into the media converter then run a short 2-3 ft run of optical into the U2.  The media converter is around $125 plus you need an optical 2 SPF sleeves and an LC Cable another $75.  It is a great way to go.

There is information on the Lumin website under support (Fibre Networking).  In there example they show a switch that has a SPF slot.  In my example you don't mess with your current switch you just add the media converter to the end of your current Cat 5 run.  If you need a new switch anyway and don't mind running a new cable to your U2 then that would be ok too.

Hope this is not too confusing !

 

Just a note to say that the hardware featured on the https://luminmusic.com/support-fibre.html page is not necessarily recommended or tested from a sound quality point of view, just a good baseline of proven inexpensive compatible components.
Whether there are sound quality differences between these and other devices is left for dealers to advise or users to discuss. In much the same way as interconnects and power cables are.