LUMIN - Audiophile Network Music Player

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Silver X1 on the way! While the positive Mono and Stereo review (obviously) is reassuring, I'd note that I "bit" earlier this week, prior to its publication. Cannot wait to be illuminated. ?

 

@Peter Lie: your participation here and elsewhere online definitely influenced my decision to purchase. Thank you for your contributions.

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Life is short. Go for it.

 

Did I mention I'm driving an 18-year-old car? Lumin doesn't need oil changes or tuneups. It won't rust.

 

Separately, I was startled to learn the shipping weight is 15.4 kg / 34 lbs. This is definitely serious kit.

 

 

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Quote

Life is short. Go for it.

 

The T1, that is. Did not intend that to sound snarky. A new digital front end is a choice, like driving an 18-year-old car.

 

You may see me broken down on the side of the road. But I'll be happy to come home to my music. And my wife. ?

 

"There are no bad decisions. Only consequences."

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Why not try a preamp such as the companion 350P? I think you’d be happier.

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In case it is useful: Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) is a fast and reliable, privacy oriented DNS provider. My X1 has no complaints. 😊

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My X1 plays through a dedicated (non-AV) preamp. Happy to participate in the next and future firmware tests.

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My X1 sings with Firmware 13/13a. To my ears, it’s a significant upgrade from version 12.

 

I use a preamp, so I have Volume off (100%) and Leedh Volume on in Lumin app settings.

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On 9/24/2020 at 7:51 AM, chungjh said:

What preamp and amp do you use downstream of X1?

I use a Marantz Reference Series SC-7S2 preamp and two (mono) MA-9S2 amps; Tannoy Kensington SE speakers. Together with Lumin X1, a harmonious marriage.

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On 9/25/2020 at 10:17 AM, chungjh said:

Do you not find that preamp degrades SQ compared to X1 LEEDH direct into amp? I am debating whether I should sell my preamp. Other than the convenience of a remote, the preamp doesn't seem to be making much SQ difference.

 

My preamp is the heart of my system. I'm pretty sure my amps were voiced with it. I prefer  to use them together, as the manufacturer (Marantz) presumably intended.

 

A past volume control disaster (unrelated to Lumin) left my wife and me wary of digital volume controls. Frankly, we fear them. For us, there is no substitute for a "real" remote.

 

I've not listened  to the X1 direct and have no plans to do so. Lumin's new firmware surprised and delighted us.

 

Assuming you like your preamp, I suggest you keep it in storage, if not in your system. Things change.

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On 7/23/2021 at 7:32 PM, wklie said:

I found that you are using T1.

 

In Lumin app About of Lumin T1, please check that DNS Server is 8.8.8.8 and your Firmware is 14.0.

In Lumin app, please enter #DNS in uppercase in the Lumin name field (only works on Firmware 14 or later).  Wait for 60 seconds, then power cycle the T1.

Upon reboot, please check the About screen and verify that the DNS Server is different.  Then retry Tidal playback.

 

Feedback:

 

Why hard-code 8.8.8.8 (Google Public DNS) in firmware? My X1 (as expected) obtains its static IP from my router via DHCP. In my opinion, it should obtain its DNS server the same way. For example, I configured my network to use 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS).

 

I'd suggest reserving the Lumin name field for that express purpose. Let the customer manually enter DNS server address(es), if you wish. Otherwise use the DNS server in the router's DHCP settings.

 

As always, thank you for listening. Not to mention, the continuous incremental improvements that make me proud to own a Lumin.

 

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On 7/25/2021 at 6:22 PM, wklie said:

 

You cannot believe how many ISP over the whole world has non-working DNS servers at different times for the purpose of music streaming.  I have known this fact for years, I just don't know why.  If anybody knows, please enlighten me.

 

With firmware 14, you can revert to the router DNS server by typing #DNS in uppercase in the Lumin name field.  Power cycle the player 60 seconds later, then check the About of Lumin player again after reboot.

 

I believe you, however the evidence points to issues (bugs) in Lumin's IP networking implementation.

For example:

 

After typing #DNS in the Lumin name field, power cycle and check the About of my X1: DNS server is now indicated as router******.com which is my (Cisco) default router and internet gateway; 192.168.1.1 to local devices.

 

It should be 1.1.1.1 in accordance with the Static DNS 1 field in my router's DHCP configuration (as other devices see it).

 

Another quirk which debuted in Firmware 14:

 

Lumin X1 made its presence known for the first time on my (bridged) eero WiFi network. Interestingly, the app indicates Manufacturer as "Lumissil Microsystems".

 

Hope this is useful. Any assistance I can provide (e.g. test unreleased firmware or follow up privately) is sincerely offered.

 

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10 hours ago, wklie said:

 

Do you see 1.1.1.1 from Windows DHCP client?

 

The name is wrong, but it is not caused by us.  It is your router hard code name table not knowing us.

 

Yes indeed, both Mac and Windows DHCP clients display the expected IP and DNS settings. Please reference screenshots (below).

 

Lumin X1 with Firmware 14.1 (newly installed) shows DNS Server is router******.com – same as Mac "Search Domain" and Windows "Primary DNS suffix" fields.

 

Why does Lumin assign DNS Server differently than Mac and Windows?

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1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

That makes zero sense from a technical standpoint. You can’t have a DNS server be an FQDN because it wouldn’t be possible to look it up without a DNS server. 
 

Is it just resolving the name of your router? Yes, I understand your router is just the gateway, not the DNS server. 

 

Thank you for weighing in, Chris. I know this is familiar turf for you. :-)

Yes, it's the name of my router. I've run with the default setting for years without issues.

 

Mea culpa if my configuration is incorrect. Screenshot (below) FYI.

 

 

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14 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I’d think about using .local or .localdomain or a domain purchased specifically for your internal network (that’s what I do). 

That makes a lot more sense than a fictitious name. Appreciate the advice.

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If you can source a TRENDnet TEG-S51SFP (4-Port Gigabit Switch with SFP Slot; mine came from Amazon), you will be happy. My setup has Ethernet to the switch, and fiber  between the switch and X1 via  a pair of 10Gtek SFP transceivers (Cisco compatible). A “cheap and cheerful” solution that works well.

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My 2018 Lumin X1 continues to surprise and delight me, after five years of ownership. Each and every time I (naively) think “This is it, I’ve reached the apex” I’ve discovered “But wait! There’s more!”

 

Examples:

 

1) Vaguely aware that my amps (Marantz MA-9A2, SC-7S2) balanced XLR connections invert phase, but not understanding why I should care, I casually toggled “Invert Phase” in the Lumin app. OMG! Seems my speakers (15” Tannoys) have been playing into their cabinets, instead of the room. For years (gulp). The difference correct polarity makes is astonishing, especially female vocals and cymbals (bass difference is harder to discern).

 

2) Once polarity was corrected, my WestminsterLab LUMIN DC Cable had a chance to shine (literally). Significant gains in clarity and dynamics justify its cost, in my opinion.

 

3) Experiments with a power conditioner (older Audience aR6-T, on loan from a friend) unexpectedly bore fruit. After listening to every permutation – whole system, front end, individual components – I am gobsmacked by what ostensibly pure power does for my beloved digital source. Lumin X1 is producing the loveliest 3D, holographic images I’ve ever heard in my room. (RFI is probably “polluting” my AC power; my home is bathed in Bluetooth, tri-band Wi-Fi, LED lighting and dimmers, SMPS adapters and chargers, etc. Perhaps the X1 power supply can be further improved, in a future iteration. X2?)

 

4) Just when I thought, “That’s it, I’m done!” Tidal welcomed me to join its Early Access program (I subscribe to Tidal Hi-Fi Plus). AI-generated playlists, fabulous lossless FLAC kept me up quite late last night!

 

Note to Lumin: It looks like the latter Tidal “Max” quality stream is (incorrectly) identified as “TIDAL MQA Studio” on the display. See photos.

 

I hope this feedback is useful to existing and prospective X1 owners, as well as Lumin.

 

Brian

 

 

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Thank you for weighing in once again, Peter. Always appreciated.

Hopefully third party streamer integration and Tidal Connect support for Hi-Res FLAC are priorities for Tidal. They would surely be key, differentiating features.

 

Meanwhile, the much-maligned MQA sounds pretty darned good to my ears (go figure).

 

It would be nice if phase could be inverted without stopping the stream that is playing. Comparison (obviously) would be easier.

 

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If you can’t hear any difference, after inverting phase, are you using balanced (XLR) connections throughout your system? Are your amps fully balanced/differential? End to end?

 

If you have unbalanced (RCA) connections in the audio path, you might not hear any difference. Which is fine, as Peter noted.

 

Assuming your audio system is fully balanced/differential, focus on high frequency sounds, e.g., female vocals and cymbals. Not bass sounds, where the difference is subtle.

 

My key takeaway regarding balanced XLR is that polarity matters. “Phase Inversion” in Lumin app is useful if your amp or preamp inverts (reverses) polarity, like mine does.*

 

Alternatively, you can reverse speaker connections. I prefer a physical button, like my SACD player has, or an app setting, such as Lumin provides. If only the latter didn’t interrupt the stream (wish list item for Peter).

 

*Marantz infamously wired XLR pin 2 “cold” and 3 ”hot” on certain models. Opposite others. That’s the wonderful thing about standards, there are so many of them. 🙄 

 

Reference:

https://www.prosoundtraining.com/2010/03/11/which-pin-is-hot-and-when-does-it-matter/

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I am thinking Lumin’s “Invert Phase” app setting, along with the button on components that implement it – preamps, (SA)CD players, etc. –  might be more accurately labeled “Reverse Polarity”.

 

Reference:

https://www.churchsoundcheck.com/are-you-confusing-polarity-with-phase.html