Lumin U1MINI

[wklie]

But.. the U1 (not the mini) can do it! Right? (The DSD files... I suppose are "only" the 20% of the common PCM listening... why do not offer the PCM only?)

No, currently none of the Lumin products can output phase inverted digital signal. (They can only output phase inverted analog signal if desired.)

If a setting only works 80% of the time and fails for the other 20%, some may consider this to be a defect.

[Luca]

Sorry, I didn't explain myself well.
I have assumed that only 20% of the files are DSD while all the rest is PCM.
I therefore thought that the "filter" (inverting the phase) could have the option valid only for the PCM leaving the DSD flow unchanged.

[wklie]

I understood what you said. The problem is, people will then ask why PCM can be phase inverted but DSD cannot be. Having PCM and DSD play in opposite phases add confusion, since many people's libraries contain both PCM and DSD music. There are also users who upsample the PCM to DSD before sending the digital signal to DSD-only DAC (e.g. some configurations of LampizatOr), so a PCM-only invert phase function is useless to them.

To do digital invert phase, please consider using Roon.

[Luca]

I understood what you said. The problem is, people will then ask why PCM can be phase inverted but DSD cannot be.

It's a democracy reign! 80 is motre than 20.
But... "step by step" could be another good answer.
I'm waiting the PCM!

Luca

[Luca]

..and if you have this feature ready for PCM only, then... you can not keep it into a "secret"!
C'mon... there should be an option to enlight it ON or OFF.
DEMOCRATIC option. (Call it "killer option")

[owldiscourse]

Anyone played around with BNC out cables to see if they make a big difference on this? I'm using the Nordost Silver Shadow and thought it was good until I purchased 2 more for between my MScaler and Chord DAVE DAC and they were so poor sounding I switched back to the stock Chord supplied dual BNC cables. Tx!

[wklie]

FYI only. Over at www.head-fi.org I think there are discussions of experiments of adding (many!) ferrite rings to BNC cable for Chord products.

Rob Watts mentioned this:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chor...#post-13881243

Note that the linked ferrite is intended for BNC, not for USB cable (since people were discussing multiple things at the same time.)

[M1k3]

First post. Long time reader but never registered.

Wanted to thank @Mike from SunCoast Audio for helping me acquire a new U1 Mini recently.

For U1 Mini owners who are going back-and-forth between all the connection options, I found USB to be better than S/PDIF Coax or Toslink into an RME ADI-2 DAC or Oppo 205. Since I don’t have an AES/EBU XLR connection to any of my DACs, I can’t speak to that connector. But, I found on some songs the S/PDIF coax and optical connections had an obvious and unpleasant digitalis and brittleness to the high mids, that was not present on the USB output. But that may be the low burn-in time. Regardless, out of the box, the USB from the U1 Mini to the RME ADI-2 DAC, driving headphones (Focal Utopia and Sony MDR-Z1R [the latter with hardware parametric EQ settings in the DAC to fix some design flaws]) is absolutely stunning!

As a head-fi guy, my stack is very modest (not having to buy expensive speakers and amps), and the U1 Mini fit right in. I’m so impressed with the USB output, but I wonder if I’m missing out (after some major burn in) on the AES/EBU output. From what I have read @wklie says to try AES and USB and see what you like the best. Anyone have experience trying out both of those options? Maybe I need a new DAC ;-) with native AES/EBU capabilities.

Cheers,
M1K3

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum M1K3.

So sorry it took so long to approve you. My mistake.

[M1k3]

No worries! Thanks for the warm welcome.

[Mike]

Welcome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pdxaudio]

Can you connect an SSD to Lumin U1 MINI and if so can you use one USB port as input and the other one as output at the same time?

[wklie]

Only if your SSD does not require more than 0.5A. When using both USB storage and USB output, playback of high sample rate music may not be fast enough.

The preferred method is to connect the USB storage to a NAS or computer running MinimServer.

[Jack]

Peter

Would a powered hub for the SSD solve the power problem?

[wklie]

Probably, but we never tested it. Then there is the question of whether the wall wart for the hub would affect SQ...

[TheGiant]

Peter, I plan on the U1 since I have a great DAC. I have the Wavelet (DSP) from Legacy Audio that recommends the USB mini digital input for highest quality input.

Question: Is Lumin’s philosophy on their products that has USB output to utilize it before the other SPIDIF outputs?

Thanks
Andre

[TheGiant]

Peter, I plan on the U1 since I have a great DAC. I have the Wavelet (DSP) from Legacy Audio that recommends the USB mini digital input for highest quality input.

Question: Is Lumin’s philosophy on their products that has USB output to utilize it before the other SPIDIF outputs?

Thanks
Andre

[Luca]

Hi, just a quick OT, if Ot is:

I want to lend my U1 mini to a friend for a few days: how can I not lose all my playlists?(If I hit "reset factory" ... that's what awaits me!)

Thanks!
Luca

[wklie]

Please save your current playlist.

The saved playlists reside in your iPad. Unless you're lending the iPad away too, the saved playlists are not affected by lending the Lumin hardware. To be safe, please make sure you have iCloud enabled for Lumin app. This way they are backed up and can be synced to multiple iOS devices.

[joeinid]

Welcome Andre

Peter, I plan on the U1 since I have a great DAC. I have the Wavelet (DSP) from Legacy Audio that recommends the USB mini digital input for highest quality input.

Question: Is Lumin’s philosophy on their products that has USB output to utilize it before the other SPIDIF outputs?

Thanks
Andre

[hatateru]

I have just taken delivery of a Lumin U1 Mini. It replaces an Ultrarendu and Singxer SU6, both with linear PSUs. The Ultrarendu in turn replaced an SOTM trifecta.

Cold and straight out of the box, the U1 Mini is a small but noticeable improvement over the Ultrarendu/Singxer. I had both plugged directly into my Chord M Scaler and TT2, so I could switch between them to compare. I tried toslink, BNC and USB, although mainly use toslink since this sounds best in my DAC.

The difference is small, but the U1 Mini removes a small amount of “haze” around voices and instruments, and the background is just a little blacker and cleaner. I am hoping that difference increases with burn in.

Of course I am immediately thinking of replacing the internal SMPS with a linear PSU. But it sounds great as it is, and I like the idea of a single box (one reason I decided to replace my 4 boxes with the Mini), so may have to resist the idea unless there is evidence it is a real improvement.

It’s early days but so far I am very happy with the U1 Mini.

Hi Rossb, I am currently using the LUMIN D2 and recently bought an external DAC to improve the SQ. So I am planning to replace the D2 with a network transport/render. My friend suggested me to go get the Ultrarendu as the transport with the UpTone LPS. But I have been hesitating whether I should stick with the LUMIN U1 mini instead. I never have any experience on using the Sonore products. As I saw you mentioned that you used ultrarendu before but now plan to replace it with the LUMIN U1 mini, therefore do you mind to share what make you give up on ultrarendu and pick the U1 mini instead? What’s aspect make you think U1 mini can outperform the Ultrarendu. Many thanks

[wklie]

Question: Is Lumin’s philosophy on their products that has USB output to utilize it before the other SPIDIF outputs?

Not really. We have so many types of outputs (USB / AES / BNC / RCA / toslink) so that users can use the type that's best for the particular DAC / system / requirements / preferences.

For DSD64 it often requires USB, since not all DAC supports DoP over SPDIF. DSD128 and above always requires USB.

[hatateru]

Hi Peter, I would like to know when comparing the U1 mini and U1; besides the external PSU on U1. What else are different in between the U1 and U1 mini, it stated it has a clock inside, are they both share the same clock? I am still considering if I should go for U1 or U1 mini, not sure if the technology on U1 is a bit outdated when compare to U1 mini as U1 has been out in the market for a few years already. Hope you can share your expertises idea for my reference. Many thanks

[wklie]

U1 MINI is a cost down version of U1, with three differences: LPS vs SMPS, heavy aluminium chassis, and DSD512 vs DSD256.

They use the same clocks.

Note: DSD512 and native DSD256 are meant for Linux native DSD compatible DAC only.

[Luca]

U1 MINI is a cost down version of U1, with three differences: LPS vs SMPS, heavy aluminium chassis, and DSD512 vs DSD256.

What about "polarity phase (reversal)"? Is it possible via software?

[wklie]

What about "polarity phase (reversal)"? Is it possible via software?

Not supported for digital outputs.

[Luca]

Not supported for digital outputs.

So, this, is intented for USB output only?
Version 2.03 (Apr 12, 2013)

Enhancements and fixes:

• Added Invert Phase control

[audio.bill]

So, this, is intented for USB output only?
Version 2.03 (Apr 12, 2013)

Enhancements and fixes:

• Added Invert Phase control

As Peter stated phase inversion is not supported for digital outputs, so it would only be applicable for analog outputs (which are not on the U1 or U1 Mini transport models.)

[wklie]

Version 2.03 (Apr 12, 2013)

Enhancements and fixes:

• Added Invert Phase control

For analog outputs.

[fguinaldo]

LEEDH PROCESSING.
Could explain a little how this system works.
I do not understand that if Lumin is at maximum volume this does not work.

[thingswelike]

LEEDH PROCESSING.
Could explain a little how this system works.
I do not understand that if Lumin is at maximum volume this does not work.

Hi there.

Digital volume control algorithms are used to attenuate volume. When LUMIN is at 100% (assuming you don't have a max limit set), there is no attenuation needed, so no algorithm is required.

At anywhere <100% the default volume reduction algorithm is now Leedh Processing, but if you turn Leedh off, then it will use the original volume control algorithm.

Please read this page for some more info: LUMIN - Leedh Processing
We also have a bit of info regarding volume and Max Volume on here: LUMIN - Settings

[jhameeh]

Hello this is my first post.

Just recently purchased U1 mini and waiting for delivery. Just want to ask what is the best/preffered way to connect my Hegel H390 int amp to Lumin U1 mini digital out for best SQ reproduction? USB or COAX RCA?
Thank you for any response.

[wklie]

This is setup dependent, please try both (when doing Coax test, please disconnect USB, and vice-versa) and see which sounds better to you after you've burned-in the U1 MINI for at least several days.

If you need to play DSD128, then you have no choice but to use USB.

[hatateru]

Hi Peter, somehow I found there is lagging while using the Lumin app in iPhone but not in iPad. When I load up the playlist, it loaded the song like one by one instead take only a few secs to finish loading the song list. Do you know is it due to the iPhone and. iPad issue?

[wklie]

Hi Peter, somehow I found there is lagging while using the Lumin app in iPhone but not in iPad. When I load up the playlist, it loaded the song like one by one instead take only a few secs to finish loading the song list. Do you know is it due to the iPhone and. iPad issue?

Please set different SSID (name) for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz in the WiFi router. In the iPhone, change the WiFi to use the 5GHz SSID. See if this works better.

[BigKris]

Hello,

I'm looking to replace my Macbook pro with Lumin U1 mini to feed my DAC (Playback Designs MPS-3). Has anyone tried Mutec MC-3+usb with U1 mini with good result?

[wklie]

Although I have not received report of using Lumin with Mutec MC-3+USB, the U1 (MINI) firmware should recognize MC-3+USB and should be native DSD256 compatible.

[BigKris]

Thank you Peter.
Seen U1 mini has several digital outputs, which one would be the best SQ as my DAC has USB, Coax, Aes/Ebu inputs.

[wklie]

This is setup dependent. Some people prefer AES, some people prefer USB. Note that only USB supports DSD128 and above.

[Q3Di]

Hi Peter,

Is the U1mini compatible with the sonicTransporter, a Linux computer running minimserver? Would the sonicTransporter with attached USB drive work better than a NAS running minimserver?

Thank you!

[wklie]

Anything that can run MinimServer should be compatible. Personally I prefer a fanless setup. Given a choice between a fanless SonicTransporter and a normal NAS with fan, I prefer a fanless device. Given a choice between a fanless SonicTransporter and a fanless NAS such as HS-453DX, you may consider price, CPU, and other features that you may use. If you foresee the possibility of using Roon, then get the SonicTransporter instead of a Celeron-based NAS.

[thyewb]

@wklie

Hi Peter, the footers on U1 mini are screwed in or pasted into the chassis with tapes?

Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

[dznutz]

They are screwed in

[thyewb]

Hi dznuts,

Thanks for confirming that the stock footers are screwed in. Unfortunately for me, these stock footers are totally stuck and cannot be removed from chassis. I will have to position my other footers beside the stock footers instead.

[wklie]

The screws in the footers can be seen only after the rubber is peeled off.

[wklie]

From Roon forum Lumin U1 mini transport - Lumin - Roon Labs Community

I’m happy to share the first impressions after 4-5h of listening with my new U1 Mini.
The setup was simply U1 Mini > [USB] Chord Dave > Focal Utopia, more details at the bottom for the gear-heads like me.
I compared this to the sound using my PC to stream music to the Dave via Optical (my favorite so far with Dave). To be honest I didn’t have big expectations considering the claimed “immunity” of Dave to jitter and, to some extent, to RF noise.

So I started the listening session with some electronic music (Rone, Mirapolis) and at first I thought “mmmh, ok, no difference really”, but wait… that bass on the U1 is so much fuller and defined. Ok, good, let’s try something with more instruments in it.
With classic rock (The Rolling Stones, Blue & Lonesome and Rory Gallagher, Top Priority remastered 2017) the hints of a better sound continued: snappier bass, increased soundstage depth, definitely more realistic instrument reproduction.

But it’s with live music, especially with piano and guitar, that the U1 Mini really blew the PC out of the water.
In Band of Horses’ “Acoustic at the Ryman”, with the Lumin each piano note felt richer, you could really tell there was “more music” in them, if that makes sense at all. I guess it might have something to do with a better transient reproduction or a lower noise floor.
The U1 Mini also improved the feeling of space, and soundstage depth, as opposed to a flatter presentation of the PC.

Final result? More realism, no doubt. I found myself tapping with my hands on the desk more often, and this is a good sign!
Bravo Lumin, well done, I like this.

Other gear details:
Roon Core: NUC 10 i7 running as ROCK, with two SSDs (1 for OS, 1 for music storage)
The U1 Mini gets the Ethernet signal from a Netgear GS108 switch, powered by an iFi iPower 12V
Cables: stock power cable for Dave, Audioquest NRG X3 3ft for the U1 Mini, Norne Audio Draug Silver 5ft for the headphones, QED Reference USB 1m.
All the power chords are connected to 3 x Opera Audio Consonance PW-1 Mains Filters

[wklie]

Review by Australian Hi-Fi magazine:
http://www.luminmusic.com/downloads/...i-Magazine.pdf