Your gateway to great sound – the Lumin network player family
Are you looking for an unbiased take on both the Lumin brand and information on how better streamers and network players work and perform?
The reasons we have chosen to carry Lumin will align closely with your own interests – we still go through a process of careful research, selection and listening before recommending any product. The Lumin network players have changed the way we listen to music for our own personal enjoyment and we say this as long term analogue enthusiasts.
If you want to read reviews the Lumin products are as well regarded as it’s possible to be. But there’s a world of difference between reading about and actually listening.
The whole concept of streaming can sometimes take a little bit to get your head around; I understand that you will probably know all this but it’s worth just running over again. While the use of smart phones is now ubiquitous and almost everyone is familiar with the idea of sending songs to a speaker or system, the way in which serious streaming components such as Lumin work is distinct.
Think of a gateway; On one side is a whole world of music – a vast number of albums and tracks many recorded at CD quality and now well beyond. Up until recently you might have considered your modem or broadband service to be the gate. While still having some influence, with much higher data speeds and effectively unlimited broadband caps this is no longer the case.
Streaming via your phone or using a bluetooth speaker with Spotify is like having a narrow gateway – you limit what you get through and it gets scrapped on the sides.
Lumin offers you a far better solution – a wide, open and smooth gateway. Everything streams through with ease.
The the whole idea of network connected players (which is how we best describe the Lumins) is relatively new, so the rate of development and improvement has far outstripped any other category of audio componentry. Progress over the last few years has been phenomenal so if you have previously considered streaming but compromised or held off, now is the time to listen again.
The Lumin models can work as either an addition to an existing system, or as the basis for a whole new and much more modern approach.
All Lumin players are entirely designed and built by Lumin in Hong Kong. Resolutely specialist in their nature, Lumin players are always about sound quality first and foremost – you can see this in every aspect of how they look, operate and sound.
The Lumin promise is backed up by a unique history of on-going improvement via free software and firmware upgrades that extend to every player they have ever built – this improves operation, features and sound quality. So unlike almost every other audio component, your new Lumin is genuinely future proof.
Add to this the quality and simplicity of construction with no moving parts and you’ll start to understand that lifespan and real value of every Lumin model is exceptional.
How Lumin works.
When using supported streaming services (or accessing a drive within your own network), Lumin will download the entire file into a buffer as quickly as the connection will allow and then play back, at the data rate and resolution at which the track or album was recorded. With Tidal Max or Qobuz, this can deliver around 2, 4 or even 8x more data than a standard CD – you don’t have to be an expert to understand that this can sound a lot better.
Because the replay and download are completely independent of each other (buffering) you avoid all the problems associated with real time replay of CD and it doesn’t matter where you are; as long as broadband connection is reasonable, you’ll get remarkably consistent results.
In this situation, your smartphone is just a remote control – while you can see everything that’s going on via the screen, the phone has absolutely zero influence on the actual sound quality. This is the fundamental difference between what we consider streaming and spinning music from your phone via bluetooth or wifi.
The sound quality of Lumin is compelling. In short, even the entry level models, the affordable D3 and U2 Mini, when playing via any of the major streaming platforms such as Tidal and Spotify , or accessing music you have stored on your network, sound better than any solution we’ve been able to put together previously regardless of cost. Lumin isn’t about making anything in your system redundant – it’s about enhancement and new ways of listening.
A hugely important part of the experience, the free Lumin App is their vision of how to make music browsing and playback intuitive, visual, and tactile. So there are no front panel controls on the Lumins and only a simple display.
What really counts is on the inside – and the sound that comes out. There is a huge amount going on with both the internal workings and the resulting sound and the Lumin site is as good as it gets when it comes to explaining this with comprehensive, easy to understand descriptions and more reviews than any brand I’ve seen – everyone just loves what they hear.
Lumin have a proven track record of improving the performance and versatility of all their components via free software and firmware upgrades. They are unique in ensuring that these upgrades are compatible back to even their early models. So whichever Lumin model you choose, you’re assured of not just exceptional reliability but also longevity and improvement over a considerable period. Very few audio components can offer anything like this.
What we can also tell you is that Lumin works beautifully with the systems we’re putting together. And is producing a level of sound quality that easily beats anything we’ve been able to do before.
Your choices…
Here’s a summary of the key Lumin models; NZ$ prices then an explanation of the abilities of each particular model and how they will improve your system.
- D3 Network Music player $4800
- NEW – T3X Network Music Player $9600
- U2 Mini Network Music transport $4500, U2 Network Music Transport $9500
- P1 and P1 Mini $8900 & $19,500
- X1 The Ultimate network player $24,900
- L2 Music Library & Audiophile Network Switch $6,200 plus storage – 4TB SSD version $8,100 8TB $10,000
Your introduction to Lumin.
The new Lumin D3 is a complete revision of the earlier introduction to the Lumin range, the D2. While it initially appears similar, the more you look (and listen) the improvements are substantial.
Outwardly the finish is improved with a higher level of machining. Internally it’s a completely different beast with a move from the earlier Burr Brown chipset to the latest Sabre ES9028PRO DAC. To implement this change there’s completely new hardware and software; this delivers increased processing power and storage capacity provide greater resampling flexibility and future-proofing. There are even common elements with the flagship X1 model. The new Sabre DAC brings the tonality of the D3 into line with all the other Lumin models.
Because the D3 has it’s own DAC section and an exceptional analogue output in both balanced and RCA formats it will run into any amplifiers – either integrated or power amplifiers. If you want to connect other source components may we suggest NuPrime’s similarly excellent analogue integrated amplifier – the IA-9X.
The Leedh volume control within the D3, and the ability to adjust output levels via the app’s menu options allow you to also opt for the simplicity and maximum performance of directly driving a power amplifier; if you’re happy with the D3 as your primary source of music (via an effectively unlimited array of streaming options) then the NuPrime STA-9X will offer you even higher performance and power levels.
The next step up.
The newly released T3x is a perfect example of why Lumin is your first choice. Lumin have no hesitation in improving their models and the rapid evolution from the original T1 in 2018 is a reflection of how seriously they regard the place of this model within their range. Nothing is held back in this latest version; the internal power supply has been upgraded to a linear (toroidal transformer) unit which greatly improves ever aspect of the sound quality. Optical ethernet and network switching lift the input performance appreciably, by improving data speed, stability and isolation from network noise.
Again fully balanced in both digital and analogue stages, the T3 is all about detail, precision and speed yet also maintains the musicality that’s noted in almost every Lumin review. The new power supply adds appreciable depth and solidity. While all the Lumin players are minimalist in their aesthetic, the T3 is an obvious step up from the D3 in terms of it’s finish quality and weight – you literally get twice as much.
Paired with the NuPrime AMG STA SE power amps it redefines our expectations of just how good digital can sound in a simple and elegant system. The T3X hits the sweet spot for many of you.
‘it is simply a great digital source, and one that, which is a feature of every product of this brand, will convince not only fans of digital, but also demanding fans of analog and analog (turntable, to be precise) of high quality..‘
‘I can unequivocally say I like the LEEDH processing much better and think it’s a game changer… When great music sounds this wonderful, it’s addicting… The T3 is one of those products that will perform close to the highest levels, but without the significant cost.’ The Computer Audiophile.
What’s a network transport?
The new U2 Mini looks almost identical to the D3 but there is much more than meets the eye. The U2 Mini is a ‘Network Transport’ and hence doesn’t have a DAC built in – but this means it’s perfect for any existing or new system where you do have a separate DAC or and amplifier with one built in.
You might assume the U2 mini is just the D3 with less inside but this couldn’t be further from the reality. It all started with the the formidable U1 X. The U2 Mini was the first Lumin component to include the all-new 2022 processing system, delivering greater flexibility and future-proofing. Not to mention sound quality and this is where the U2 Mini is an absolute stunner.
Many people have invested in a good quality DAC and will be happy with the sound quality from existing sources. But what the Lumin U2 Mini does can be transformative. For both on-line streaming services or when accessing stored music within your system or network. And the Lumin app seamlessly combines these in playlists and gives you a high level of system control. Including the Leedh processing for volume control.
We have found that, as with the previous U1 mini, a combination of Lumin U2 Mini network transport with any of our NuPrime DACs delivers and end sound that’s better than any similarly priced single box solution and almost always with greater flexibility
If you think the U2 MIni might be for you but want more technical detail, the Lumin website is exceptional in it’s clarity and comprehensive explanations. And is the best place to go for reviews.
Adding the Lumin U2 Mini to your present DAC is a very safe way to get into high performance streaming. It will also take you places you may not have expected. The better the quality of your present DAC, the greater the improvement you’ll experience with the U2 Mini.
One of our client’s writes of his experience with the earlier Lumin U1 Mini –
‘It’s working brilliantly and I’m so glad you suggested trying streaming…I think one of its main points is delivery of the full value of source files… Now I’m getting full sampling value, which makes for sharper detail, improved subtlety of tonal effects (differences between instruments as well as between groups playing the same work are more marked), and a more deftly shaped sound stage. Precision and detail are startlingly improved and naturalness is paramount.’
Just as the compact U2 Mini is the transport alternative to the D3, the the U2 is the next generation pure digital transport for the serious listener who has, or intendeds to get a really good DAC.
There are the obvious physical improvements – the U2 is bigger and more substantially built, there’s the no-compromise internal linear power supply, and the ability to connect directly to an optical network – all these features make for a dramatically better environment for the high level of processing power and quality that U2 is capable of delivering.
We’ve done a deep dive into how the Lumin U2 fits into systems of and how it sounds here.
More of everything.
The P1 is by far the most comprehensively featured Lumin component – it’s a full Network Player, DAC AND preamplifier with both HDMI and analogue line in. The P1 also builds on the T3’s sound quality by incorporating dual toroidal transformers in the power supply section; effectively building in the flagship model X1’s external power supply
In short the P1 is a veritable powerhouse of sound quality and features. And in the very short time since introduction the P1 has garnered more awards and great reviews than any other Lumin component to date. Check them out here.
The P1 Mini has followed but is not a cut down version but a design in it’s own right. For the first time we have a Lumin component with front panel controls to supplement the app based operation. This is in keeping with it’s analogue abilities and as the prefix suggests it is a preamplifier and so the control is intuitive and simple allowing anyone to operate and enjoy.
As good as it gets.
The Lumin X1 is the ultimate. Just start digging into the reviews and you’ll get the idea.
Alan Sircom writes – ‘To say I’m impressed by the LUMIN X1 is something of an understatement. I am blown away by its performance. It has a sense of absolute confidence in it’s own performance that is typically the domain of the best in analogue. It puts it in direct competition with products that cost several times as much and take up a lot of shelf space in the process.’
You can read our original take on the X1 here. Since writing this much has happened with new Lumin models. Yet having recently sold and set up both P1s and X1s our respect for the X1 has only grown.
The X1 is a luxury component and to make it worthwhile you really have to have a system built around it that will magnify the advantages it has over lesser players. This means careful selection of amplifier, speakers and connecting cables. They need not be anywhere near as costly but quality is the key.
For the X1 is simply breathtaking in the amount of detail and music it can produce, the sense of scale and depth that can be projected from the speakers.
Recommended connections.
All the Lumin network players have both balanced and RCA outputs and the internal circuitry is genuinely fully balanced. Accordingly Lumin do strongly recommend that if at all possible you use the balanced connection.
We have done a lot of listening and found the Kimber Hero Balanced, or for the best systems, the KLEI QFlow7 Balanced are excellent choices when using this format.
The KLEI QFlow7 USB cable is an easy choice with the network transports (U2 & U2mini) as it’s an exclusively digital link to the DAC. Depending on your DAC, there are other connection options such as AES-EBU so do talk to us about this.
Our experience with all Lumin models is also that there is a significant and worthwhile benefit in using a high quality AC mains cable. The further you go up the Lumin range, the greater the effect of any cable, but more importantly, the effect of the best cable is greatly magnified. This is especially surprising with the X1 as it features an outboard power supply and already sounds so good. What this shows you is that the better a component is and the more musical information it can transmit, any improvement made to it’s operating environment yields an even greater overall improvement to the sound you hear.
With all the Lumin models you really do get much more as you step up the range – the price differences are physically reflected in the components inside, the actual build quality and weight. Most importantly, while there is a common thread in terms of the character of the sound, the the improvements made between models are there for anyone to hear.
