Lumin U2 (with internal LPS and SFP port)

**wklie** · February 20, 2023, 05:59 AM

Lumin U2 has internal LPS and adds support for fiber network (SFP port), as compared to U2 Mini.

LUMIN U2

**Phil A** · February 20, 2023, 09:57 AM

Peter - thanks for the update. Does the "Up/down sampling up to DSD256" mean that one can take a DSD256 sample and downsample it to DSD128 before sending it to one's DAC down the dedicated USB output?

**Puma Cat** · February 20, 2023, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by wklie

Lumin U2 has internal LPS and adds support for fiber network (SFP port), as compared to U2 Mini.

LUMIN U2

Fantastic news! I'm now going to recommend the U2 to all my friends that need a digital transport that supports an optical fiber network input, but want to continue using their current DAC.

Well done, Lumin!

**Puma Cat** · February 20, 2023, 04:08 PM

I just went and looked up the photos on the new U2. It looks very impressive.

Here's some photos (which I cropped slightly to fit on the web page more easily)...

Specs are very impressive:
DSD512, PCM768, DSD256 Upsampling, 3 USB ports including a NEW dedicated low-noise USB output, 4, count 'em, 4 exceptionally low-phase-noise crystal clock oscillators (woot!), ultra-low-noise rectifier and linear regulator, extra large toroidal transformer, and LEEDH volume processing control. 👊👍

Also note, the rear panel has a dedicated chassis ground terminal (inside red border box) you can connect to an Altaira...👌

Looks like another home run to me...

**wklie** · February 20, 2023, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Phil A

Peter - thanks for the update. Does the "Up/down sampling up to DSD256" mean that one can take a DSD256 sample and downsample it to DSD128 before sending it to one's DAC down the dedicated USB output?

Yes, this is possible with U2 and U2 Mini.

**Puma Cat** · February 21, 2023, 12:11 AM

Peter, what will be the US MSRP for the U2? I have a good friend who was asking.

Thank you.

**JCS123** · February 21, 2023, 06:56 AM

This looks like a KILLER product! I am intrigued by the Internal LPS and the "Dual-Network interface with built-in Network Switch".

The second feature leaves me scratching my technically challenged head. What exactly does this do? Thanks in advance for any help here.

**wklie** · February 21, 2023, 08:57 AM

Just like the X1 and P1, U2 support fiber network and (copper) Ethernet. There are other threads here and in other forums that discuss sound quality impact from fiber network (for noise isolation).

**Mike** · February 21, 2023, 10:02 AM

Very cool! Congrats to the Lumin team.

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**thingswelike** · February 22, 2023, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by JCS123

This looks like a KILLER product! I am intrigued by the Internal LPS and the "Dual-Network interface with built-in Network Switch".

The second feature leaves me scratching my technically challenged head. What exactly does this do? Thanks in advance for any help here.

The 'Dual-Network' aspect means that you can connect one to your network and then use the second to connect something like a NAS, or another network-enabled device to it.
This can help reduce cabling, or if you're router connections are already full, can save on buying a network switch (which always come with noisy plug-top power supplies too).
Hope that helps!

Note that the SFP slot doesn't have to be used as an Optical Fibre Network port; many companies manufacture modules that adapt the SFP slot into a standard 1000BASE-T RJ45 port.

**brodricj** · February 22, 2023, 09:31 AM

Why would a prospective buyer choose U2 over U2 mini? The mini is less than half the price.

**Delija** · February 22, 2023, 10:37 AM

Sound quality?

**mxk116** · February 22, 2023, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

Why would a prospective buyer choose U2 over U2 mini? The mini is less than half the price.

I think that was the focus of the first post in the thread;

Lumin U2 (with internal LPS and SFP port)

**brodricj** · February 24, 2023, 08:45 PM

So for those who don't use SFP and who only want to stream Spotify the case for U2 over U2 mini comes down to the quality of the internal power supply?
And if so, if it's powered from a high-end distributor such as an Everest then the weight in favor of the better internal power supply is somewhat diminished?
It would be nice if I could bring home both to try for myself but that's not going to happen.
I wonder if U2 technology is going to trickle through to a new Esoteric network transport?

**Rnrmf** · February 24, 2023, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

So for those who don't use SFP and who only want to stream Spotify the case for U2 over U2 mini comes down to the quality of the internal power supply?
And if so, if it's powered from a high-end distributor such as an Everest then the weight in favor of the better internal power supply is somewhat diminished?
It would be nice if I could bring home both to try for myself but that's not going to happen.
I wonder if U2 technology is going to trickle through to a new Esoteric network transport?

I'd imagine that Esoteric will have to build around whatever silicon Lumin's system works with. Plus it makes for a good reason to update models.

Besides the power supply, there's the better USB output and the ability to connect it to another network device.
BUT MOST IMPORTANT, the U2 would look way sexier with your Esoteric stack than the boxy U2 mini.

I wouldn't expect difference between power supplies to be mitigated by use of an Everest or any other AC device.

**brodricj** · February 24, 2023, 10:13 PM

I had planned on using the USB output of the network streamer to the D1X DAC. If I had the N-03T (instead of the Lumin, or something else) I'd do the same, save me from having to buy another clock cable. As sexy looking as the U2 is it's getting close to the N-03T price. N-03T is basically a pimped up U1 with an Esoteric power supply and chassis so I'm guessing a firmware upgrade will not quite get it to U2 performance. The local Lumin dealer does not have U2 mini so it's not possible for me to compare it to the PS3.

**wklie** · February 24, 2023, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

The local Lumin dealer does not have U2 mini so it's not possible for me to compare it to the PS3.

It should always be possible to place an order if it is an authorized Lumin dealer, but if you want to loan a unit to test, then that depends on the dealer policy.

**brodricj** · February 24, 2023, 10:33 PM

I was invited to the dealer showroom to listen to something I didn't want to buy. They said they didn't have U2 mini. So I left it at that.

**dminches** · February 25, 2023, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by brodricj

So for those who don't use SFP and who only want to stream Spotify the case for U2 over U2 mini comes down to the quality of the internal power supply?
And if so, if it's powered from a high-end distributor such as an Everest then the weight in favor of the better internal power supply is somewhat diminished?

In my experience power conditioning/distribution does not compensate for large differences in power supplies.

**nosualc** · March 5, 2023, 12:35 PM

A streamer with SFP and a good power supply. Smart.

MSRP for USA?

Did some googling, and it appears to be a mystery.

**Mike** · March 5, 2023, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by nosualc

A streamer with SFP and a good power supply. Smart.

MSRP for USA?

Did some googling, and it appears to be a mystery.

$5000. $2500 CHEAPER than the U1.

Lumin U2 (with internal LPS and SFP port)

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**audiom3** · March 13, 2023, 04:14 PM

I have one arriving Wednesday according to the tracker. And I can confirm $5k USD. Can't wait to fire it up.

**audiom3** · March 16, 2023, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

$5000. $2500 CHEAPER than the U1.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I've never listened to a U1, nor owned a Lumin until this one. But I will say I never imagined that a digital streamer could make my system sound this damn good. I've demo'd an iFi Neo Stream, Sonore opticalModule and used my PS Audio DS DAC w/Bridge II card for nearly 2 years. This Lumin is far beyond any of those. I honestly (and arrogantly) thought my converted optical LAN was about as quiet as a LAN could be since neither of the other streamers bettered my PSA Bridge. Boy, was I wrong. I'm using my computer DAC to boot. An Ayre Codex. I can't imagine my digital system sounding even better when Ayre finishes building my QX-5 Twenty

This U2 is simply fantastic.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

**brodricj** · March 16, 2023, 09:47 AM

U1 forms the guts of the Esoteric network transport in N-01 (and N-03T) which I am very familiar with. I thought the Esoteric U1 implementation sounded outstanding. For the U2 to be better is hard to imagine. It would have to be getting close to Esoteric disc transport performance.

**audiom3** · March 16, 2023, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by brodricj

U1 forms the guts of the Esoteric network transport in N-01 (and N-03T) which I am very familiar with. I thought the Esoteric U1 implementation sounded outstanding. For the U2 to be better is hard to imagine. It would have to be getting close to Esoteric disc transport performance.

I imagine you are right. Esoteric is top level stuff. I know the case amounts for some of the cost difference, but I can't imagine the whole $2k+. But the obsessive side of me passed on a U1 to wait/find a unit with an SFP Cage. When I first heard about the U2, I knew I had to order one right away. I just couldn't fathom wasting all of the effort and expense to convert my LAN to fiber, only to buy a streamer that would only accept copper. It may have cost me a little sound quality (not sure I'll ever know for certain), but I feel better with fiber all the way through.

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**brodricj** · March 16, 2023, 10:57 AM

Nothing wrong with copper. I use SFP to reach from one end of the house to the other, but not for audio. For audio I use copper.

**Puma Cat** · March 16, 2023, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by audiom3

I've never listened to a U1, nor owned a Lumin until this one. But I will say I never imagined that a digital streamer could make my system sound this damn good. I've demo'd an iFi Neo Stream, Sonore opticalModule and used my PS Audio DS DAC w/Bridge II card for nearly 2 years. This Lumin is far beyond any of those. I honestly (and arrogantly) thought my converted optical LAN was about as quiet as a LAN could be since neither of the other streamers bettered my PSA Bridge. Boy, was I wrong. I'm using my computer DAC to boot. An Ayre Codex. I can't imagine my digital system sounding even better when Ayre finishes building my QX-5 Twenty

This U2 is simply fantastic.

Can't say I'm surprised at all. My P1 is simply fantastic as well. I am SO impressed with Lumin's design, engineering, execution, and quality.

Those guys at Lumin have got it...goin' on. 👍👊

**Puma Cat** · March 16, 2023, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by audiom3

I imagine you are right. Esoteric is top level stuff. I know the case amounts for some of the cost difference, but I can't imagine the whole $2k+. But the obsessive side of me passed on a U1 to wait/find a unit with an SFP Cage. When I first heard about the U2, I knew I had to order one right away. I just couldn't fathom wasting all of the effort and expense to convert my LAN to fiber, only to buy a streamer that would only accept copper. It may have cost me a little sound quality (not sure I'll ever know for certain), but I feel better with fiber all the way through.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Me, too. It sounds fantastic, doesn't pass leakage current, and...it ALWAYS works. 👍

**audio.bill** · March 16, 2023, 08:02 PM

Here's a review of the Lumin U2 from High Fidelity in Poland. Google Chrome does a pretty nice job on translation to English.
High Fidelity

**audiom3** · April 13, 2023, 10:24 PM

This thread is so quiet lately. Does anyone else have a U2 and want to share their listening impressions?

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**Rich4284** · May 19, 2023, 07:56 PM

Any listening impressions / comparisons yet?

**PavelDosko** · June 7, 2023, 07:50 AM

Good day, friends. For now, I am waiting for the delivery of the Lumin U2, but I would still like to ask you how to use the LEEDH system for volume control. My connection will be: SFP - U2 - USB - DAC Rockna Wavedream - XLR - dual mono passive preamp Big Hattor - XLR - power amp Simaudio Moon W8. I don't use ROON, I stream music from NAS and Qobuz. Thanks in advance for the advice.

**Phil A** · June 7, 2023, 08:15 AM

I got my U2 yesterday. Breaking it in now. I did downsample DSD 256 to 128 and I can now play DSD 256 files.

There's info here about how to use Leedh - LUMIN - Leedh Processing

**jadedavid** · June 7, 2023, 08:15 AM

There is a setting in the Lumin to enable LEEDH and also set a "maximum" output level (as a safety).
Once you enable it you can control the volume from your tablet/I-phone.
The Big Hattor is no longer needed in the chain.
However you can leave it in the system if desired, just turn the volume all or most of the way up.
Using LEEDH, the Lumin is now doing duty as a streamer and volume control.
Works great and sounds good.

**PavelDosko** · June 7, 2023, 08:25 AM

thank you, gentemen

**wklie** · June 7, 2023, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Phil A

I got my U2 yesterday. Breaking it in now. I did downsample DSD 256 to 128 and I can now play DSD 256 files.

If I'm not mistaken, your DAC internally upsamples to DSD512. In view of this, I suggest you compare conversion to DSD128 against conversion to PCM 352.8kHz, see which sounds better to you for your DAC in your setup.

**PavelDosko** · June 7, 2023, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by jadedavid

There is a setting in the Lumin to enable LEEDH and also set a "maximum" output level (as a safety).
Once you enable it you can control the volume from your tablet/I-phone.
The Big Hattor is no longer needed in the chain.
However you can leave it in the system if desired, just turn the volume all or most of the way up.
Using LEEDH, the Lumin is now doing duty as a streamer and volume control.
Works great and sounds good.

so ... without passive preamp setup wil be sfp- U2- usb - DAC Rockna and U2 - XLR power amp?

**Phil A** · June 7, 2023, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by wklie

If I'm not mistaken, your DAC internally upsamples to DSD512. In view of this, I suggest you compare conversion to DSD128 against conversion to PCM 352.8kHz, see which sounds better to you for your DAC in your setup.

I will get to that for sure. I don't have a ton of quad DSD files. Just tried one to make sure it worked. I just took out the RTA to adjust the bass levels and crossover in the Rel S/812 subs (the new amp has a gain difference vs. the old one and listening to a couple of tracks last night they sounded bass heavy which I confirmed via the RTA and while I put some hours on the amp in a secondary system, I just moved it to the main system). I'm also still messing with my Philips Screeneo ultra-short throw projector which I just got about a week and a half back (it is behind the center channel) and have yet to get to most of that (I want to get some hours on the Lumin - I did watch Avatar in 3D a couple of nights back on the projector and got 3D sorted out and it was outstanding).Main System June 2023.jpg

**wklie** · June 7, 2023, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by PavelDosko

so ... without passive preamp setup wil be sfp- U2- usb - DAC Rockna and U2 - XLR power amp?

I assume you have already set the DAC volume to max, instead of -30dB default.

As a first step, please connect the U2 to your DAC, become familiar with the Lumin app first for a few days (with Lumin volume control disabled, and rely on your preamp for volume control). Listen to your favorite track, use a free sound level meter app on smartphone to measure the volume you normally listen to.

When you feel ready, increase the preamp volume to unity gain or max. Turn on Lumin volume control, turn the Lumin volume way down to a very low value, start playback and gradually increase until your smartphone app shows the same volume. Then you can compare the SQ.

The above step assumes with your preamp at max you can still get a usable volume range with Lumin. If yes, you can proceed to bypass the preamp, so that the DAC outputs to the power amp. If not, you'll need to experiment with the preamp at a lower-than-max setting while making the Lumin volume range usable for your music in your environment.

**Puma Cat** · June 7, 2023, 12:54 PM

Just along the lines of this discussion regarding setting volume, I use my Lumin P1 with a Constellation Inspiration integrated amp. As such, just as Peter has recommended, I set my Inspiration integrated to Unity Gain (0.0 on the front display) and control volume using the P1's LEEDH volume control. It's really easy to do this with the Lumin remote, or on my phone, tablet, or computer running either the native Lumin app or Roon.

I've found that the LEEDH volume "technology" is the best I've ever heard or experienced. I think it's a veritable breakthrough as a means to control output volume, as far as I'm concerned, I'm never going back to another methodology.

For those that may be interested, here is a white paper from the team that developed LEEDH in Switerland.
Leedh Processing | Digital Volume Control | France

**XRS** · June 7, 2023, 09:07 PM

I love typing Red Letters in the Lumin app. OMG, 5 years. Really ironed out.

I was just listening to SADE - No Ordinary Love. Betwixt the two brands? loller

**brodricj** · June 10, 2023, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by XRS

I was just listening to SADE - No Ordinary Love...

Do you have that on SACD?

**XRS** · June 11, 2023, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

Do you have that on SACD?

SADE on SACD? ha! Since you mentioned it

I looked for a copy but have yet to even buy my first SACD. I do have a player (SA-KI Ruby). I found Jefferson Airplane SACD (mono) Surrealistic Pillow and, Joan Armatrading S/T SACD. Not sure worth the expense of SACD for those but what the heck, probably.

I'm streaming Surrealistic Pillow Flac 44 via Lumin D2. I really want to step-up to T3 but no optical, maybe that's okay since I have other D/A's. Kinda stuck until I hear about L2 cost and then whether to go U2, T3, or, elsewhere.

Conceptually (without really knowing) I had in mind L2 into T3 but no optical put that excitement on ice. Do I need optical - I think so, at the switch. From there on, why not but maybe not. I'm in no rush.

Thread: Lumin U2 (with internal LPS and SFP port)

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