Lumin L1

**the professor** · August 25, 2014, 03:36 PM

I bought an L1 last week. It's Lumin's 2T NAS.

I will have to say, IT IS AS EASY AS ANYTHING I've seen for computer audio.

All you do is, unbox it, plug it into the wall and then use the included USB cable to hook it to your computer. On my apple computer, it came up as an external drive. I dragged my music to it. Waited for it to copy. I then ejected the drive from the computer, unhooked it from the computer and then plugged it into my wifi router with the included Cat 5 cable. Waited about 5-10 minutes, for it to categorize my music. And then all my music was there for my iPad in the Lumin app.

When you have new music. Just unhook it from the network, and hook it back up to your computer. Drag the new music to it. Put it back onto the network and you are done.

It truly is so much easier than using anything else I've seen.

No frills. But it works and it works well.

Well done Lumin!

**Mike** · August 25, 2014, 03:38 PM

That's great to hear Jock! Congrats!

**highEndguy** · August 25, 2014, 04:11 PM

What is the price ?

**the professor** · August 25, 2014, 04:13 PM

$1,195

Expensive for a NAS but - its silent. And it looks just like their power supply for their streamers.

**-E-** · August 25, 2014, 04:25 PM

It's not silent. It has a mechanical hard drive in it.

**rrwmd** · August 25, 2014, 04:31 PM

So you can't put files on it over the network like a traditional NAS, only just play files -- right?

**the professor** · August 25, 2014, 04:40 PM

Correct. I should have said - It is very very quiet.

Originally Posted by -E-

It's not silent. It has a mechanical hard drive in it.

**the professor** · August 25, 2014, 04:42 PM

That is what I understand. When on the network, there is no access to the files other than it serving over UPNP.

Originally Posted by rrwmd

So you can't put files on it over the network like a traditional NAS, only just play files -- right?

**highEndguy** · August 25, 2014, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by the professor

$1,195

Expensive for a NAS but - its silent. And it looks just like their power supply for their streamers.

Thanks Jock

**rbbert** · August 25, 2014, 07:16 PM

Can you use it with any music player (e.g. my Oppo 105 over WiFi)?

**the professor** · August 25, 2014, 08:56 PM

It is a UPNP server. So if that's what the Oppo is looking for - yes

Sorry, I just don't know about the Oppo

Originally Posted by rbbert

Can you use it with any music player (e.g. my Oppo 105 over WiFi)?

**rbbert** · August 25, 2014, 11:11 PM

DLNA or SMB for the Oppo; sorry, I don't know enough about networking to know if that would be workable.

**-E-** · August 26, 2014, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by the professor

$1,195

$1195 for a $145 HDD, genius I tell you, genius!

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by -E-

$1195 for a $145 HDD, genius I tell you, genius!

Sure E....it's just a hard drive. Nothing else in there. Not.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**highEndguy** · August 26, 2014, 01:55 PM

If you can and now how to do it your self, go for it but many of my clients don't want to or don't know how to mess with a PC. You pay for simplicity and comfort.
MS like Lumin are in the top of the digital streaming business because of that and super sound.

Just my two cents E

**Audioseduction** · August 26, 2014, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

If you can and now how to do it your self, go for it but many of my clients don't want to or don't know how to mess with a PC. You pay for simplicity and comfort.
MS like Lumin are in the top of the digital streaming business because of that and super sound.

Just my two cents E

I'm sure glad I was in the IT field for over 20 years. Saves me a lot of money!

**Ritmo** · August 26, 2014, 09:49 PM

I'm in the IT business. I really like this solution. I don't have the time nor care to take on the setup of "music" computers.

One of the reasons I bought the Bryston BDP-2. Just loaded my AIFF files on an USB 1TB drive, loaded the Bryston and MPAD apps on my iPad and I was good to go. No more than 1 hr - including unpacking the BDP-2 and connecting the player to my DAC and the power.

So, congrats to Lumin. Their solution is truly "plug and play". It may be pricey but so is our time.

**wklie** · August 26, 2014, 09:54 PM

The important thing is that we have freedom of choice of music library server in a LUMIN setup, so people with different needs are satisfied, at different costs:

1. LUMIN L1 - simplicity, aesthetically pleasing, optimized support from LUMIN app
2. NAS + MinimServer - this has been the recommended setup for the longest time but it is not as simple
3. USB HDD - cheapest, simple but limited function, and impact the appearance of the system because it is generally placed fairly close to the system due to the comparatively short USB cable, and introduce a vibrating element near the audio equipment
4. JRiver - for those who like a PC-centric setup and/or PC-based upsampling

**the professor** · August 26, 2014, 10:15 PM

I agree

Choices are everything

**the professor** · August 26, 2014, 10:24 PM

Another great part for the L1

Through the Lumin app it asks if you want to update the L1 software. I said yes, and 2 minutes later, I had the updated server software. Soooooo much easier than using a nas.

**la1209** · August 27, 2014, 10:33 AM

Hi Jock, congratulations! Actually I am also a user of Lumin L1 too! A better LPSU is a must for the L1, and you should place the L1 in a anti-vibration platform.

**AZCraig** · December 15, 2014, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by -E-

It's not silent. It has a mechanical hard drive in it.

It's relatively easy to clone and replace the drive. I replaced my mechanical drive with a SSD drive which is ultra reliable and truly silent.

**joeinid** · December 15, 2014, 08:23 PM

Welcome to the forum Craig! Thank you for joining.

**wklie** · December 16, 2014, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by AZCraig

It's relatively easy to clone and replace the drive. I replaced my mechanical drive with a SSD drive which is ultra reliable and truly silent.

Thanks for the report. If using a SSD, do not standby the L1 unnecessarily. SSD do not like standby.

In addition to cloning, there is a procedure to format the drive inside LUMIN L1 (in case the drive needs to be replaced). This procedure erases all data (music) in the drive, obviously:

1. If the drive is not brand new, connect L1 to a computer via USB to delete ALL the partitions in the drive first (using Disk Management if on Windows platform)
2. Connect L1 LAN
3. Disconnect L1 USB
4. Boot up L1 and wait until the RED LED flashes
5. Hold the power button for 6 seconds

Note: even if the power button is held, the format will not be triggered if the RED LED is not flashing, so there is no risk of accidentally formatting it unintentionally during normal operation.

**AZCraig** · January 26, 2015, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by wklie

Thanks for the report. If using a SSD, do not standby the L1 unnecessarily. SSD do not like standby.

In addition to cloning, there is a procedure to format the drive inside LUMIN L1 (in case the drive needs to be replaced). This procedure erases all data (music) in the drive, obviously:

1. If the drive is not brand new, connect L1 to a computer via USB to delete ALL the partitions in the drive first (using Disk Management if on Windows platform)
2. Connect L1 LAN
3. Disconnect L1 USB
4. Boot up L1 and wait until the RED LED flashes
5. Hold the power button for 6 seconds

Note: even if the power button is held, the format will not be triggered if the RED LED is not flashing, so there is no risk of accidentally formatting it unintentionally during normal operation.

Does this procedure to format the drive also copy the NAS partition and software or just format the drive? I'm making a presumption that the NAS software is stored in non-volitale storage. If not, then I would be concerned about losing that with a format and so I cloned the drive.

Also, you say not to leave SSD in standby. Do you mean I should be powering off the L1 with SSD when not being used? There is no disk activity when the Lumin S1 is not playing.

**wklie** · January 27, 2015, 06:33 AM

You are correct that the L1 firmware is stored in flash, not in the HDD. So formatting the drive will not damage the firmware.

I assume most people run NAS 7x24, and since SSD consumes less power (possibly less than 1W when idle) than HDD, so I think it's fine not to standby the SSD. However, for those who don't like running equipment 7x24, please ignore my comment.

**MDP** · February 2, 2015, 06:28 PM

I got my L1 today,I am in the process of transferring the files from my NAS. Hopefully I'll have it up and running later tonight.

**Ritmo** · February 2, 2015, 07:07 PM

Mark - Did you get a new Lumin?

**MDP** · February 3, 2015, 09:27 AM

No Mike, I compared the A1 and S1 on the Salon 2's, and the A1 was better.
When I did that with the D3's, the S1 was clearly better.

It's very system dependent. Mike said the S1 was better with the Alexia's.

**MDP** · February 3, 2015, 11:05 AM

I've got the L1 up and running. It's very responsive on the iPad app, much quicker than my NAS was. Sound quality seems a little better,don't ask me why, it could be all in my head.

Overall, I'm glad I got it. It was very easy to transfer files to, and the Lumin found it immediately.

**wklie** · February 3, 2015, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

I've got the L1 up and running. It's very responsive on the iPad app, much quicker than my NAS was. Sound quality seems a little better,don't ask me why, it could be all in my head.

Unlike a typical NAS, the L1 eliminates all non-essential network services, so there is less network traffic that is unrelated to music transfer, and the L1 itself will not be affected by background detection of network file (and other) services by computers. Since digital audio is heavily affected by timing jitter, I have always wondered whether this aspect of L1 can result in audio improvement, however minimal it may be.

If someone would like to do an A/B comparison of audio quality between L1 and NAS, I propose that when one of the equipment is being tested, the other should be taken offline with both power and LAN cable unplugged.

**Mike** · February 3, 2015, 11:02 PM

I've also heard that the PSU in the L1 helps things sonically.

**MDP** · February 4, 2015, 09:07 AM

After spending last night listening to music through the Lumin L1-A1 combination, I'm convinced that there is an improvement in sound quality from the L1 feeding the A1.
Blacker backgrounds have brought out more texture in the tonality of all the music. It just sounds more like the real thing.

**CPP** · February 4, 2015, 10:03 AM

I like this option. L1 for storing music without the issues of a NAS, but can you have access to the L1 and/or a NAS from say a A1 without having to unplug anything on the A1 and can the Lumin app handle that configuration. Just asking.

**MDP** · February 4, 2015, 10:17 AM

The L1 connects to your router only, so you can access it anytime you want. The Lumin player sits with the rest of my gear and is connected to my router also, hardwired with CAT 6 cable.

**Mike** · February 4, 2015, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by CPP

I like this option. L1 for storing music without the issues of a NAS, but can you have access to the L1 and/or a NAS from say a A1 without having to unplug anything on the A1 and can the Lumin app handle that configuration. Just asking.

The answer to your question is "yes". In the Lumin app you can switch between the L1 (or multiple L1's) and your NAS. You just click the settings icon and change the directory. Two seconds.

**CPP** · February 4, 2015, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

The answer to your question is "yes". In the Lumin app you can switch between the L1 (or multiple L1's) and your NAS. You just click the settings icon and change the directory. Two seconds.

Thanks Mike. Saving up $$ here for a A1 with the L1 as a sidekick to supplement the music on my existing NAS.

**Mike** · February 4, 2015, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by CPP

Thanks Mike. Saving up $$ here for a A1 with the L1 as a sidekick to supplement the music on my existing NAS.

Smart!

**wisnon** · February 4, 2015, 11:25 AM

The L1 seems to be a clever idea.

**Mike** · February 4, 2015, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by wisnon

The L1 seems to be a clever idea.

The whole company is filled with clever folks who are passionate audiophiles. They have lots of exciting products coming down the pipeline - but NOT any new streamers in the upper end. The team feels they don't know how to improve on the A1 and S1. The D1 is such a hot seller in Asia, that they can't keep up with demand, so they don't have any for the NA market.

**wisnon** · February 4, 2015, 11:55 AM

I can believe it. Its a neat package.

The D1 is the entry level half sized unit, no?

**the professor** · February 4, 2015, 11:55 AM

I used to have 2 L1s and my Synology NAS all hooked up at the same time and switched back and forth with the app. It's easy and works great. In fact, you can make a playlist on the app with different songs from different L1s/NASs. Very convenient for comparing. I have all of these on a separate circuit from my audio gear. I now have gotten rid of the Synology and only use it for Movie storage.

I also have a beefed up power supply for one of my L1s from Kenneth Lau and I do believe that there is a improvement with it. The improvement is significant if you have the L1 plugged into the same circuit as the audio.

**MDP** · February 4, 2015, 12:28 PM

I have my L1 plugged in to our office area, away from my audio equipment.

**wklie** · February 4, 2015, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

The D1 is the entry level half sized unit, no?

Yes, it is entry level, but D1 still uses dual Wolfson WM8741 like A1 and T1, and retains both the balanced and unbalanced outputs as well as the digital output. Different from A1/T1, D1 is a single board design, thus physically smaller, drops the high-cost Lundahl output transformers and drops the HDMI output. It comes with an entry level external 12V power supply (that can be replaced easily by off-the-shelf units).

**MDP** · February 4, 2015, 11:03 PM

If the D1 becomes available in the US, I will order one tomorrow for my second system.

**wklie** · February 4, 2015, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

If the D1 becomes available in the US, I will order one tomorrow for my second system.

Even though the demand is more than the supply right now, I'm sure it'll be available once the supply is ramped up.

**MDP** · February 4, 2015, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by wklie

Even though the demand is more than the supply right now, I'm sure it'll be available once the supply is ramped up.

Perfect !

I'm a Lumin whore. It's such a great analog sound. The best digital I've ever heard since adding the L1.

**wisnon** · February 5, 2015, 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Perfect !

I'm a Lumin whore.

You are cracking me up.

**Ritmo** · February 17, 2015, 09:01 PM

Can the L1 be plugged in directly into the S1 via USB?

**joeinid** · February 17, 2015, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Can the L1 be plugged in directly into the S1 via USB?

As far as I know, it is meant to be on the network. A conventional usb drive or thumb drive only goes in the USB port.

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