Thread: The amazing Lumin P-1 is now the Heart of my system.

Well, I was so impresssed with the Lumin P1 that I bought one. It arrived yesterday.



I'm presently using it with my little Amp Camp amps (aka ACAs), but I'll primarily be using it with a Constellation Inspiration integrated amp. In the current system, both the P1 and the ACAs are connected to an "analog amplification segment" SG Altaira hub. What makes this easy is that Lumin installed a proper chassis ground terminal on the back of the P1. Just another reason why Lumin has it got it goin' on, in my view.

I did the P1 "install" with my iPhone. Downloaded the Lumin app, and it immediately found the P1 on my network, and downloaded the latest version of the operating system in less than 2 minutes. Then, I logged into my Qobuz account, and was streaming music from the P-1 via the iPhone to the ACAs in a manner of minutes.

All the gear inside the red borders is now out of the system, replaced by the P1.


Did a "back-of-napkin" calculation, and by installing the P1 in conjunction with the Inspiration integrated amp, I'm able to remove 15 "bits of gear" from the system, after adding up all the components, cables, power supplies, network bridge, switches, blah, blah...

Here is the new set-up with the little ACAs presently in the rack: MUCH tidier and simpler.


And...it sounded absolutely FANTASTIC right off the truck, without even having had time to settle or burn-in, yet. Then, I connected it to Altaira, and it got EVEN BETTER. Oh, man! I was up until 1:30 AM last night listening to it.

I specifically want to thank Lumin for the P1. IMHO, it's a breakthrough product who's features and functions are so well-engineered, implemented, and integrated that it presents a new paradigm for how a truly high-end audio system can be configured. While I've been an advocate for "separates" providing optimal specific dedicated audio functions for the better part of 40 years now, the P1 shatters that convention and demonstrates first-hand how superbly an exceptionally well-designed and engineered component that integrates streaming, D/A conversion, and preamplifier functionality can really perform. In my experience, the P1 re-writes "the rulebook".

And, and in the process, creates exceptionally engaging and beguiling musical experiences.

Simpler is better.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Wow - that's quite a big difference in gear needed!

Yeah, the streaming setups, aack! What with the DAC, streamers, network bridges, Ethernet switches, fiber media convertors, master clocks, etc., and then all the signal and digital interface cables (Ethernet, USB, S/PDIF, clock cables, LC/LC fiber, etc) for the DAC, streamers, network bridges, Ethernet switches, fiber media convertors, master clocks, and then...the linear power supplies required for the streamers, network bridges, Ethernet switches, fiber media convertors, master clocks and then...the power cables for the linear power supplies that power the streamers, network bridges, Ethernet switches, fiber media convertors, and...master clocks, things can can get really complex, really fast.

And, this is just the gear in the main audio rack! Doh! It doesn't even include the music server computer and all it's crap residing in the remote server room.

See what I mean?

I'm presently listening to a wonderful Philips LP of Arthur Grumiaux playing Vivaldi on his Guarneri violin, Rose, the Koetsu Urushi Vermilion MC cart going from the Michell's SME V to the EAR 324 phono stage and from there via RCA IC's to the P1's RCA input. To change the input from Roon and the remote music server to the phono stage, all I did was pull up the Lumin app on my iPhone and select the RCA input. So easy....👍

It sounds very beautiful. The P1 provides an absolutely gorgeous presentation of Rose's (made by by Giuseppe Guarneri in 1744 ) beautiful tone, texture and dynamic range (did you know that a violin has more dynamic range than a piano?). The transparency, clarity, and the rendition of the violin's timbre is sublime. You can also hear deeply into the recording space, and Rose's notes trailing off into a vapor trail of decay. Oh, baby...


And with only 18 hours on the clock, the P1 is not even run-in yet. 😍

I keep hearing that Roon sounds inferior on various forums, not specifically with the P1 though. I use my P1 with the native App, Tidal connect, and the Roon App.
I listened for about 5 hours earlier using Roon, sounds just as good as the other two options to me.
I have until next May paid for with Roon, still not sure if I will subscribe again because the other two options are free. Sound quality is not less using Roon with the P1 IMO.
Puma Cat, glad to see you ended up buying the P1, mine has exceeded my expectations too.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

I keep hearing that Roon sounds inferior on various forums, not specifically with the P1 though. I use my P1 with the native App, Tidal connect, and the Roon App.
I listened for about 5 hours earlier using Roon, sounds just as good as the other two options to me.
I have until next May paid for with Roon, still not sure if I will subscribe again because the other two options are free. Sound quality is not less using Roon with the P1 IMO.
Puma Cat, glad to see you ended up buying the P1, mine has exceeded my expectations too.

I would agree, on the whole. While the P1 audibly sounds better using the native Lumin app, for me what is practically significant (and practically significant is generally all that matters in the real world) is that the P1 is very engaging, enjoyable, and immersive using Roon, as well.

And, listening to a P1 connected to a segmented Altaira ground hub system using either the native Lumin app or Roon is significantly better. Wow.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

I would definitely like to explore a sound hub system some day.

Michael, did you mean a "ground hub", perhaps?

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Doh! This auto spell correct always gets me. LOL

But yes, I meant the ground hub. Unless I am drinking my vodka and then I may call it any version of ground or sound hub.

Ha! No worries! Listening to this right now, streamed from Qobuz.
Ray Brown & Gene Harris, Live at the Loa Summer Wind. OMG.

Originally Posted by thingswelike

This is really terrific - thanks for the recommendation!

Yes, it's wonderful. I listened to it twice through last night. Going to order the CD, rip it, and put it on the server hard drive.

Originally Posted by Delija

Get SACD.

Okay, thanks.

Originally Posted by brodricj

After retiring all that hardware no doubt you have some surplus Sigma v2 power cables. I'd be happy to provide a new home for them. My system is getting bigger, not smaller.

I only own one Sigma NRv2 PC, and it is used for the amp, so it will be staying. I'm using an Omega QR-s for the P1, which is frickin' amazing. The only PCs I plan on selling at this time are my two Alpha XC PCs used For my First Sound preamp. I don't need NR PCs for the FS pre as it has two Shunyata CCI-X noise filters built each of it's dual-mono external power supplies. So, once I get the FS sold, I'll be selling those. I'll also be selling my Alpha and Omega USB cables and my Omega Ethernet cable.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I would agree, on the whole. While the P1 audibly sounds better using the native Lumin app, for me what is practically significant (and practically significant is generally all that matters in the real world) is that the P1 is very engaging, enjoyable, and immersive using Roon, as well.

And, listening to a P1 connected to a segmented Altaira ground hub system using either the native Lumin app or Roon is significantly better. Wow.

Puma Cat, are you using Fibre optical with your P1? That is how I am using mine, Cisco 2960 switch>SFP>fibre cable>SFP>P1.
I use a Shunyata Venom for power distribution, but I have not bought any Shunyata power cords yet.
How would that Altaira fit in to my setup? Would I be better off investing in that, or Shunyata power cords first.
Right now my Nagra integrated is off getting repaired in Switzerland, and I might upgrade it to the Nagra Classic amp.
Thanks for any info you can give in advance.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

Puma Cat, are you using Fibre optical with your P1? That is how I am using mine, Cisco 2960 switch>SFP>fibre cable>SFP>P1.

Yes. That was one of the principal reasons for buying it. EtherREGEN in remote server room >fiber cable to main audio rack->Finisar optical transceiver in SFP cage of P1

Originally Posted by No Quarter

I use a Shunyata Venom for power distribution, but I have not bought any Shunyata power cords yet.
How would that Altaira fit in to my setup? Would I be better off investing in that, or Shunyata power cords first.

I would invest in the best (highest level) NR Shunyata NR power cords within your budget for your P1 first, then an Altaira hub for the system. If you don't have one for your Nagra, it will really help there, too. The Alpha NRv2, for example, are superb for their price range; they have a beautiful, "musical quality" to them. I use an Alpha NRv2 PC for my EAR phono stage and 2 Alpha XCs for the First Sound preamp's external power supplies.

How you install an Altaira depends on your budget and whether you want to go with a single hub for your entire system, or implement a "segmented" Altaira system with one Altaira hub dedicated for example, just to the "digital front end" only, and the other Altaira hub dedicated to the "analog amplification" component(s). And, you can always do this in phases, if you wish. Depending on what you decide to implement, there is clear and specific guidance how best to do this.

Hope this helps. Cheers.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Yes. That was one of the principal reasons for buying it. EtherREGEN in remote server room >fiber cable to main audio rack->Finisar optical transceiver in SFP cage of P1



I would invest in the best (highest level) NR Shunyata NR power cords within your budget for your P1 first, then an Altaira hub for the system. If you don't have one for your Nagra, it will really help there, too. The Alpha NRv2, for example, are superb for their price range; they have a beautiful, "musical quality" to them. I use an Alpha NRv2 PC for my EAR phono stage and 2 Alpha XCs for the First Sound preamp's external power supplies.

How you install an Altaira depends on your budget and whether you want to go with a single hub for your entire system, or implement a "segmented" Altaira system with one Altaira hub dedicated for example, just to the "digital front end" only, and the other Altaira hub dedicated to the "analog amplification" component(s). And, you can always do this in phases, if you wish. Depending on what you decide to implement, there is clear and specific guidance how best to do this.

Hope this helps. Cheers.

Yes that makes sense, I will look into the Alpha NRv2 cords.
I borrowed a few cords to try when I first got the Venom distributor, but can not remember which ones I had now.
My priority is upgrading my amp, or at least getting my current one fixed first, so I put off investing in cables for now.
I like having a direction I want to take in advance, so I can do some research.
I just talked to my dealer, and unfortunately my amp has not even left Canada yet. I have been using a Blue Circle amp with the P1 for now, it is surprisingly good.
Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by thingswelike

It says it's multichannel - on the back it says hybrid Stereo CD, Multichannel 5.1 SACD, so I'm not sure there's any benefit in buying the SACD for a stereo system, but I could be wrong.

Edit: At one point it seems it was available on HDTracks in 24 bit / 88 kHz format, but I can't find it anywhere now

Redbook through Qobuz (No Roon) sounds amazing. And this is just on the desktop, can't wait to hear it later on the T2.

+1 on "Thanks for the Rec."

Just an update on my Lumin P1: I now have >400 hours of burn-in, and just as the nice folks at Lumin have said, once you get past 400 hours on the P1, things get considerably better. I honestly didn't understand how that was possible, but sure enough, once I got past 400 hours, what was already a VERY impressive integrated streamer, DAC, and preamp just..."EXPLODED" with a notable increase in overall audio quality: increased resolution, clarity, depth, imaging, soundstage, detail, articulation, dimensionality, presence, and most importantly, unparalled expression of tonality, timbre, and musicality. I continue to be "blown away" by just how good the P1 is...and, from what I've read, it will continue to improve past 500 hours. I know my comments appear to be "waxing poetic", but...goddam!

I had a good audio buddy over a couple weeks ago, before I had 400 hours on the P1, and he is very knowledgeable about music and very discriminating, and I let him listen to tracks of his choice, and he remarked that he heard things in the presentation by the P1 on tracks he knew really, really well that he had literally NEVER heard before. So, he left VERY impressed, as well.

Honestly, I'd rank the P1 in the top 5 or 6 components I have EVER heard, along with products from Technical Brain, DarTZeel, TAD, Esoteric, and Constellation. And while not inexpensive, I think the Lumin P1 provides an exceptional value proposition, on the whole, especially when one considers they're getting a veritable SOTA streamer, DAC, and pre-amp in a single "box". I used to think that in order to obtain maximal perforance, one needed a seperate streamer/network bridge, DAC and preamp. But...the Lumin P1 proved me entirely wrong on that front. It's not only been an illuminating journey, but an informative and educational one, as well. And, I know some guys will read this and still say to themselves, "Yeah, well, that's all well and good, PC, but...I still need a separate streamer/network bridge, DAC, and preamp."

Look, I get it...I used to think that, too. But the P1 proved me to be completely wrong on that point.

And, now my view is: "No...you DON'T."

Bottom-line: when it comes to a streamer, DAC, and preamp, I'm...done. And...VERY happy.

Originally Posted by Mike

We love our P1. So musical.

Agreed, 100%

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Just an update on my Lumin P1: I now have >400 hours of burn-in, and just as the nice folks at Lumin have said, once you get past 400 hours on the P1, things get considerably better. I honestly didn't understand how that was possible, but sure enough, once I got past 400 hours, what was already a VERY impressive integrated streamer, DAC, and preamp just..."EXPLODED" with a notable increase in overall audio quality: increased resolution, clarity, depth, imaging, soundstage, detail, articulation, dimensionality, presence, and most importantly, unparalled expression of tonality, timbre, and musicality. I continue to be "blown away" by just how good the P1 is...and, from what I've read, it will continue to improve past 500 hours. I know my comments appear to be "waxing poetic", but...goddam!

I had a good audio buddy over a couple weeks ago, before I had 400 hours on the P1, and he is very knowledgeable about music and very discriminating, and I let him listen to tracks of his choice, and he remarked that he heard things in the presentation by the P1 on tracks he knew really, really well that he had literally NEVER heard before. So, he left VERY impressed, as well.

Honestly, I'd rank the P1 in the top 5 or 6 components I have EVER heard, along with products from Technical Brain, DarTZeel, TAD, Esoteric, and Constellation. And while not inexpensive, I think the Lumin P1 provides an exceptional value proposition, on the whole, especially when one considers they're getting a veritable SOTA streamer, DAC, and pre-amp in a single "box". I used to think that in order to obtain maximal perforance, one needed a seperate streamer/network bridge, DAC and preamp. But...the Lumin P1 proved me entirely wrong on that front. It's not only been an illuminating journey, but an informative and educational one, as well. And, I know some guys will read this and still say to themselves, "Yeah, well, that's all well and good, PC, but...I still need a separate streamer/network bridge, DAC, and preamp."

Look, I get it...I used to think that, too. But the P1 proved me to be completely wrong on that point.

And, now my view is: "No...you DON'T."

Bottom-line: when it comes to a streamer, DAC, and preamp, I'm...done. And...VERY happy.

Hello Puma Cat, I agree completely with you about just how good an all in one the P1 is. I did not keep track of hours on mine, but certainly I am over 500…so enjoying the magical sound.
I have ran mine into an MPA Nagra integrated, an Anthem amp, and currently a blue circle amp.
My Nagra blew up on me a few months back, so I have sent it back to them as a trade in towards their Classic Amp…they are giving me a great deal on the new amp.
I am expecting to receive the amp in 4-6 weeks, so hopefully this 2 box system works well.
Enjoy the P1…

My little amp is just a temporary fix, but has a really nice organic sound to it

Originally Posted by No Quarter

Hello Puma Cat, I agree completely with you about just how good an all in one the P1 is. I did not keep track of hours on mine, but certainly I am over 500…so enjoying the magical sound.
I have ran mine into an MPA Nagra integrated, an Anthem amp, and currently a blue circle amp.
My Nagra blew up on me a few months back, so I have sent it back to them as a trade in towards their Classic Amp…they are giving me a great deal on the new amp.
I am expecting to receive the amp in 4-6 weeks, so hopefully this 2 box system works well.
Enjoy the P1…

"Magical" is a good descriptor!

I've primarily been using my C-J LP70S with the P1, but when I first installed it, I was using it with my little Nelson Pass-designed Class A Amp Camp amps (ACAs) running as bridged monos, and it was very impressive with those as well, especially after I connected the ACAs to my Altaira system (left bottom shelf).



At some point, I'd love to hear the P1 with Lumin's fully dual-mono amplifier, Amp.



From the photos and technical specifications I've seen of Amp, it looks very impressive.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

My little amp is just a temporary fix, but has a really nice organic sound to it

If my Nagra did not blow up I was thinking about the Lumin amp too, but rather than an unknown repair bill on it, I accepted their offer to take it on trade, kind of painted me into a corner. I know (DZnutz) used a pair of the Lumin amps with his X1, and had nothing but great things to say about the amps. I love the look of the amps too, gorgeous.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

If my Nagra did not blow up I was thinking about the Lumin amp too, but rather than an unknown repair bill on it, I accepted their offer to take it on trade, kind of painted me into a corner. I know (DZnutz) used a pair of the Lumin amps with his X1, and had nothing but great things to say about the amps. I love the look of the amps too, gorgeous.

Agreed. Check out the interior...


Note how Lumin used very high quality pure copper wire for the + speaker terminal and pure silver for the - speaker terminal. Those guys at Lumin are really good.

Fully dual-mono throughout...


Rear panel


Yeah, baby, yeah!" - Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery

Just an update: As mentioned above, I'm now fairly past the 400 hour "burn-in" point for the Lumin P1, and it continues to impress with just how good, no amazing, it is. The Lumin P1 is proving to be not only one of the most MUSICAL audio components I've ever heard, as well as one of the most SATISFYING.

Listening to Mozart's Variations in C "Lison Dormait", K264 by the etraordinary Yeol Eum Son on Onyx, and the P1's abilty to render power, dynamism, scale yet subtlety along with shadings of tonality, timbre, spatiality, hall ambience, and "intimacy", just to name a few musical attributes it presents and delivers supremely well, leave me "gobsmacked", as the Brits say.



I'll post a more detailed set of impressions over the weekend if I can tear myself away...

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

TAS has a great review of the P1. Robert Harley was using it with CHP and Wilson.

Has anyone heard the Lumin amp? That and a P1 looks to be a nice package.

I know DZNUTZ told me he used two of the Lumin amps with his X1, so maybe he can chime in.
There does not seem to be much input on actual pairings with the P1, maybe there are not many out there?
I received a call from my dealer today that my Nagra Classic amp has arrived at the store.
I doubt I can make it there for a few weeks to pick it up, it’s a 4 hour each way drive.
Something to look forward to, hope it pairs well. The dealer I am getting the amp from also has a P1, but I don’t think he has unboxed it yet.

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Has anyone heard the Lumin amp? That and a P1 looks to be a nice package.

I sure would like to sometime, Amp looks like it's a superb amp. It looks like a very nice package, indeed.

Thomas at Thomas & Stereo had a very positive review of it.
(Re-upload) The 'QUICKEST' amp I have ever tried. Lumin AMP review. - YouTube

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

What are your thoughts on having a streamer/DAC vs separates?

I've come to the conclusion that the fewer components, ICs, PCs, digital cables, Ethernet switches, network bridges, linear power supplies, power cables for linear power supplies...the better.

Gets closer to Altschuler's Ideality...

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I really like Nagra, should make a nice match.

I think what helps with components that have many functions is a way to update them. I'm sure that's something Lumin does. That's only software though. My friend has a Schiit DAC and he says he can get updated boards that just slide in the back. My preamp has a DAC and no way to update, someday I'd have to buy an external in order to move up.

From what I've read the volume control on the P1 is a strong point for the good performance. Seems to be a very well thought out unit overall.

I'm really impressed with how Lumin thinks things through overall. For example, when first turned on my P1, the Lumin app found it on the network, and immediately downloaded the latest version of the Firmware. It was up and running from the Firmware update in less than two minutes.

Those guys have got it goin' on, in my experience.

Originally Posted by No Quarter

I have been down the road of a separate streamer and Dac with several different variations from Naim,Chord,IfI etc. I even had linear power supplies on the various streamers and Dac’s.
Even though it can sound really good, it gets really messy with all the boxes and cables.

Boy, you can say that again. My rack before the arrival of the P1...all the stuff inside the red boxes...


is now gone, replaced with this.

The P1 sounds every bit as good as any other combo I have used.

I agree 100% That's why I went in this direction.

As far as being left behind with all the tech in one box, Peter is constantly updating, or looking for ways to improve the Lumin.

Peter and the folks at Lumin are awesome, and they never stop improving their products and making them better. They also make updating the firmware and functionality really easy. Plus..it ALWAYS works. Which I could not say about my previous set-up.

I urge people to demo the P1, it may surprise you how good it is.

Could not agree more. It's the reason I bought one, and I find it to be very, very satisfying musically. Unlike the adjectives reviewers use in the usual audio reviews for other audio gear, the adjectives that best describe the P1 are those used for fine musical instruments, like a Bösendorer Grand or a Guarneri violin.