Thread: Lumin P-1 arrives tomorrow

Fortunately Qobuz came to Australia last year, but prior to that, it seemed impossible to use a VPN/overseas PayPal account to subscribe. It had been possible a while ago, but they seemed to tighten up access. Seems odd that Qobuz is not in Canada, given that is largely French based. Anyway, hope you get access soon. From my point of view, I found the quality of hirez Qobuz superior to Tidal and other services.

Peter I have a question
I am over on the Naim forum and I posted a photo of the SFP module and optical cable I use with my P1. A guy said he thinks I am using multi mode because single mode should be a yellow cable. He posted a chart showing the Aqua Color cable I have, and sure enough it is Multimode apparently. I had a friend with an Amazon account order these for me, so now I am second guessing what I have. I thought Multi mode would not work?
I have music playing, so should I be concerned about anything?
We got the info for the SFP’s off the Lumin online manual, and he said when he ordered them a window popped up with a compatible cable, so he ordered it.

Thanks Peter, I guess I should of been more involved when he ordered them for me. I was there, provided him the link, but his phone was acting up so he said he would order them later at work.
Just so you know, it sounds great anyway.🤷*♂️

Well… I was using teal colored multi mode fiber as well… worked perfectly fine and I didnt even realize it could cause a problem. Have corrected now, no discernable change in sound so… yay?!

Originally Posted by dznutz

Well… I was using teal colored multi mode fiber as well… worked perfectly fine and I didnt even realize it could cause a problem. Have corrected now, no discernable change in sound so… yay?!

Hi Jack, hope you are doing well.
I have been posting about this cable thing on the Naim forum, because I was a Naim owner for years. There are a lot of knowledgeable posters there about all things networking. However, there seem to be conflicting theories about multi-mode versus single mode. Peter said I should get the single mode ( yellow) cable, so that is what I will do I guess.
Interesting that your X1 worked with the wrong cable too.
Did you get around to trying the Naim gear yet…any thoughts?
Tony

All my Naim pieces finally arrived but I quickly realized after placing the order that I had made a mistake. With the calibre of speakers I have, I really needed to go with the 500 series components, and at those prices its hard to swallow a blind purchase. So for now they just sit in their boxes, maybe Ill try them, maybe not.

Ya, I trust Peter so I went ahead and I grabbed the single mode fibre as well. Im sure theres some valid points on both sides of the fence but Im not about to throw myself into that debate. All is well!

I guess I should provide an update…I received my yellow single mode cable and installed it yesterday. To me I do hear a slight difference for the better. I also got around to trying the P1 amp direct, using an older Anthem amp I have. This also seems to of lifted a veil, so now I am fully using Leedh volume control, works great. The last thing I want to try is Roon only mode, still have not had the ambition to try that yet.
I want to live with the amp direct for a while before I make a decision about converting the Nagra to strictly an amp or not. Depending on cost, I might be better off trading it in on an amp.
The dealer I bought the Nagra from has a discounted pair of Brinkman monos. The other option would be to buy a Nagra classic amp, or the Lumin amp. Time to work some overtime this winter.😀

Out of those options I would lean heavily towards the Lumin Amp. That P1 pairing will surprise you! Just make sure you get the right price on the Lumin 😉

Hi Jack, have you actually heard the Lumin amp with your X1, or is it just a recommendation to stick with the same brand? The photos I have seen of the P1 with the amp sure do look good.
For sure I will be searching for the best deal I can find if I go that way. Prices seem to be skyrocketing across all brands…ughhh!

Yes, I owned a pair of them for almost a year set up in mono. Very “fast” and powerful sounding. One of the best whole systems Ive played with, and it was just 3 components. I fed the X1 directly in to the amps.

Wow, that must of been something special. Was that driving the Kef blades? Curious what you moved on to also. I realize you like trying a lot of equipment, I just wonder if you will ever “land” somewhere that makes you content.

The Lumin P1. The best all-in-one Adrian has heard? - YouTube
LUMIN V Mcintosh: good review

Originally Posted by MaxH13

The Lumin P1. The best all-in-one Adrian has heard? - YouTube
LUMIN V Mcintosh: good review

Is it a good review? They've been a Dealer of Lumin for a long time... never bothered to post anything about them, up until all others did. The X1 is better than the P1, its been available to them for many years... yet they've never done a review or comparison. I doubt they ever even brought one in to listen to. So, I chuckle again.

Originally Posted by dznutz

Is it a good review? They've been a Dealer of Lumin for a long time... never bothered to post anything about them, up until all others did. The X1 is better than the P1, its been available to them for many years... yet they've never done a review or comparison. I doubt they ever even brought one in to listen to. So, I chuckle again.

They all seem to like the P1, but it is more of a review comparing it as a preamp versus a 10 K Macintosh dedicated Pre.
They do not mention whether or not they are using optical Ethernet, which I found to be a nice upgrade.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

They all seem to like the P1, but it is more of a review comparing it as a preamp versus a 10 K Macintosh dedicated Pre.
They do not mention whether or not they are using optical Ethernet, which I found to be a nice upgrade.

I was alluding to the fact that even as Dealers, they had no interest in it up until others started talking about it. That's not how a real Dealer is supposed to operate. I'm sure that they had no clue that any analog inputs are immediately converted to digital... purists will not like that and its a significant design element that they should be aware of and let potential buyers know about.

Yes

All the inputs I use are digital anyway…optical from TV and HDMI from Bluray,Xbox, Media player so perfect for me. The only analog source I have is my Teac PD 501 DSD player, which I can plug in directly to my Nagra integrated.

Originally Posted by jadedavid

Interesting.
I let my ears lead the way.
I don't care if it's class "D" or "A" or tube or solid state or digital or analog.
What's MOST important to me is how it sounds.
YMMV

Im glad, and I most certainly could have expanded as to why I answered “yes” to your question, although it really isnt relevant. My point was, a long standing Dealer, long before they give their opinion on any product they sell, should comprehensively understand, and thoroughly inform, how the product functions regardless whether that helps or hurts their sale.

The fact that P1 goes through an ADC process when used as an analog input preamp is significant. That should have been mentioned, either this Dealer has no clue, or they intentionally omitted it. Both would not be acceptable to me and its why people really have to trust who they buy from. Ive been fooled more than once by a Dealers incompetence and lack of knowledge, shame on me and never again.

I have a question for Peter, or any P1 user/owner.
Why is there no input selection for Ethernet/optical Ethernet?
I can switch to optical to feed the sound from my TV to the P1, but when I want to switch back to music over Ethernet, the only way is to start the music playing and hope that it works. Or am I missing something obvious?

Thanks Peter, that is what I have been doing, and it works fine.
I just thought a selection button would make more sense, but I guess I missed the “pull” versus “push” difference.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

I thought I would post about file storage with my P1. Up until now I have only had a 64 GB thumb drive inserted into the USB port on the back of my P1. After deciding not to renew my Roon subscription I had to try a new way to access my downloads, so I inserted my WD (3TB) hard drive into the USB port.
The hard drive has about 2,300 albums on it, so I was not sure it would work, maybe too large?
Well I can happily report it is working fine, currently playing Trio Jeepy from the hard drive.
I know there is a Roon only mode, which I never got around to trying, but to me it sounds great directly plugged into the back, no need for a Roon subscription or hardware to run the core.😀

Very cool. Just a question for you: how was your external USB drive formatted?

I've found my P1 sounds best when using the native Lumin app, but I still use Roon to discover new content, and with an Altaira dedicated to just the P1, it still sounds excellent. Another really nice feature is you can toggle completely seamlessly between both apps, Roon and the Lumin app.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

<snip>
I use the Lumin App for everything now, so buying a Nucleaus and adding the subscription seems like added cost that would be better spent on a new Shunyata power cord, or one of those Altaira units that you are using.

Yep, I would agree. If you have the budget, get the Omega QR-s for your P1. And, the Altaira is...transformative.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Yep, I would agree. If you have the budget, get the Omega QR-s for your P1. And, the Altaira is...transformative.

Hi Puma, a fellow P1 owner here. A question on the P1 and Altaira: do you have one Altaira unit/box dedicated to only the P1? Can I also connect my other components to the same Altaira unit? I’ve been trying to read up Shunyata’s website on the grounding configuration options using Altaira but I’m just lost 😁 I’m new to grounding so appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Norman

Originally Posted by normie610

Hi Puma, a fellow P1 owner here. A question on the P1 and Altaira: do you have one Altaira unit/box dedicated to only the P1? Can I also connect my other components to the same Altaira unit? I’ve been trying to read up Shunyata’s website on the grounding configuration options using Altaira but I’m just lost 😁 I’m new to grounding so appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Norman

Hi Norman,
There are a number of ways you can go with your Altaira set-up. You can connect multiple components to the same Altaira unit, and which hub you use depends on how you want to configure the system.

If you are going to connect all your components to a single Altaira, the guidance is to use a CG Altaira hub. You can connect, say, your P1 (using it's chassis ground terminal on the back), an amp, a preamp if you also use one, a DAC or phono stage, to that one CG hub.

You can also use multiple Altairas in what is referred to as a segmented system. One way to do this is to have one segment be the "digital segment", for example, a DAC, streamer or network bridge, Ethernet switch, music server, etc. You'd connect all these to the same SG Altaira. Then, you could have as second segment in what I refer to as the "analog amplification segment", for example, a preamp, tuner, phono stage and amplifier.

In my case, I use "segmented" Altaira system comprised of two segments, each using an SG Altaira hub.

The digital segment SG hub is connected to the P1, and the "analog amplification segment" SG Altaira is solely connected to my Constellation integrated amp.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by FDPDK

Hi Norman , welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Hi Norman,
There are a number of ways you can go with your Altaira set-up. You can connect multiple components to the same Altaira unit, and which hub you use depends on how you want to configure the system.

If you are going to connect all your components to a single Altaira, the guidance is to use a CG Altaira hub. You can connect, say, your P1 (using it's chassis ground terminal on the back), an amp, a preamp if you also use one, a DAC or phono stage, to that one CG hub.

You can also use multiple Altairas in what is referred to as a segmented system. One way to do this is to have one segment be the "digital segment", for example, a DAC, streamer or network bridge, Ethernet switch, music server, etc. You'd connect all these to the same SG Altaira. Then, you could have as second segment in what I refer to as the "analog amplification segment", for example, a preamp, tuner, phono stage and amplifier.

In my case, I use "segmented" Altaira system comprised of two segments, each using an SG Altaira hub.

The digital segment SG hub is connected to the P1, and the "analog amplification segment" SG Altaira is solely connected to my Constellation integrated amp.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

One other thing, what happens if my other component doesn’t have chassis ground terminal? Will I be able to connect that to the same Altaira unit that has the P1 (which is connected using its chassis ground terminal)?

Originally Posted by normie610

Thanks!

One other thing, what happens if my other component doesn’t have chassis ground terminal? Will I be able to connect that to the same Altaira unit that has the P1 (which is connected using its chassis ground terminal)?

Generally, yes. If your other component has an unused "interface" connection, jack or port, you can use a Shunyata "base" ground cable terminated with the appropriate tail. The base ground cable generally has two STIS-type banana plugs on it. You then simply plug the appropriate tail onto it for your component or application. For example, if you have an unused SPDIF, Ethernet RJ45, USB, or BNC port, or unused input or output RCA or XLR jacks, you can connect that component using those ports or jacks with the appropriate tail.