Bizarre Lumin S1 bug

BlueFox

BlueFox

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For whatever reason, three times today my Lumin has gone berserk. The symptom is it will be playing a random song from a playlist, and then it goes quiet. When I look at the app I see it is just jumping from song to song. Removing the playlist, and loading another, is no help. It still jumps song to song. To fix it I have to power off the S1 for a few minutes, and then power on.

I have seen this in the past where I remove the USB drive to copy new files onto it, and after reattaching it this jumping starts. However, today is the first time I have seen it occur for no apparent reason.
 
Jumping from song to song means that Lumin is unable to get the song from the URL stored internally in the playlist. It can be caused by NAS or the music server being offline, a network issue, IP address changes, or USB issue if USB is being used.

Have you recently added new network equipment (LAN or WiFi), or upgraded the firmware of any network equipment, or turned on any network services or router features (e.g. DLNA)?
 
I was setting up a Microsoft Xbox One, which is connected to the home network, when it first happened this morning. However, that was turned off when it last happened not too long ago.
 
Bud - are you using a NAS or Lumin L1?

If you're still using a connected USB drive, I recommend against it. Sonically, the Ethernet connection is superior and the Lumin L1 superior to my NAS. I believe other Lumin users concur. Once you hear how smooth and quiet the Ethernet connection is, you won't go back to USB. I'm using a CAT7 cable from Monoprice...nothing fancy.

I'm listening to my S1 now and I forgot how wonderful it sounds. I was so busy breaking in the Berkeley Ref DAC the last month, I rarely listened to the Lumin. But putting the Lumin S1 back into play makes me appreciate just how damn good it is with all file formats.

YMMV
 
I just turned the Xbox One on again, and the Lumin started jumping. How these two are interacting on the network is strange. Anyway, I have some firmware to test tomorrow to see if that helps. It looks like this is an easy bug to reproduce so hopefully that will fix it.

Personally, I do not see how an Ethernet connected drive can sound better than a direct attached USB drive. The same perhaps, but not better.
 
BlueFox said:
I just turned the Xbox One on again, and the Lumin started jumping. How these two are interacting on the network is strange. Anyway, I have some firmware to test tomorrow to see if that helps. It looks like this is an easy bug to reproduce so hopefully that will fix it.

Personally, I do not see how an Ethernet connected drive can sound better than a direct attached USB drive. The same perhaps, but not better.
Click to expand...

Bud, USB is one of the most problematic forms of digital transmission. Ethernet is considered one of the best, if not the best. Some will argue i2s is best, but Ethernet is right up there.

Give this a read: http://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/nas-pros/

"This is important to understand, because it’s one of the strengths of network audio – the transmission of data does not affect sound quality. The same cannot be said for USB."
 
Slightly off topic...

Mike, I'm curious how the Berkeley Ref fed by the S1 compares to the S1 by itself. Given that the S1 is $4k less for all-in-one streamer/DAC and very highly regarded by virtually all who have it...
 
From Today's Post, I love this line:

"But, over time, the shortcomings and lack of isolation of the USB connection has caused me to add more stuff to compensate. Regens, Jitterbugs, disrupters–and all to help a compromised connection. This problem is exactly why people move towards network audio solutions instead."

Source: http://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/nas-the-music-system/
 
rrwmd said:
Slightly off topic...

Mike, I'm curious how the Berkeley Ref fed by the S1 compares to the S1 by itself. Given that the S1 is $4k less for all-in-one streamer/DAC and very highly regarded by virtually all who have it...
Click to expand...

Interested in this too Mike :¬)
 
rrwmd said:
Slightly off topic...

Mike, I'm curious how the Berkeley Ref fed by the S1 compares to the S1 by itself. Given that the S1 is $4k less for all-in-one streamer/DAC and very highly regarded by virtually all who have it...
Click to expand...

Rance,

The Berkeley Alpha REF DAC is really a solid 10/10 for redbook and high res PCM. It's the best I've heard for redbook and PCM. The S1 I would give it a 9.5/10. I'm surprised just how close it is. But the edge goes to the Berkeley for sure. It has this uncanny way of shaping instruments and vocals that give them a more 3D characteristic. What surprised me about the S1 vs the BADA was the bass. I think I have to give the nod to the S1 in bass definition.

For DSD, the S1 playing DSD files is quite a bit better than converting DSD to PCM on the fly via the Aurender N10 played through the BADA. To be fair, I have not tried converting DSD to PCM using JRiver before hand (the recommended method). I'm certain the conversion "on the fly" gives up something.

For the guy who says, "I don't care about DSD", the Berkeley with the N10 via AES/EBU is definitely the way to go. For the guy who has a DSD collection, the S1 is the way to go - but I have NOT tried a proper conversion of DSD to PCM using KORG or JRiver. I will definitely give that a go.
 
Mike-

Thanks for the feedback. At one point I had a "tricked-out" Mac mini feeding the Berkeley Alpha USB and Alpha DAC and the A1 is better to my ears, but i've certainly wondered about the Ref DAC. Not to mention I've considered upgrading to the S1.

Now if you'd just spill the beans about new the Lumin products......
 
Thanks Mike!

Rance - I'd put my bucks on Lumin releasing separates. It's a big part of the market they're not dipping in to, and they clearly have the tech (both dac and server/streamers).
 
dlb2 said:
So is this an actual Lumin issue or something with Bud's network?
Click to expand...

The strange issue here is that since I use a direct attached USB drive there is no obvious network relation to the music access. However, with an earlier bug I found after I first acquired my Lumin it was explained to me that even the direct attached drive is treated as a networked device. Why the Xbox One affects it is bizarre. I should be able to get the new test firmware installed this afternoon, and see what happens.

Mike is kind enough to let me try an old L1 to see if that makes an audible improvement over the USB drive. It certainly will be more convenient than having to unplug the USB every time I add new music.
 
Just upgraded to the beta firmware. I will let it play for a bit to insure it works as expected, and then turn on the Xbox One.
 
Just started the Xbox One, and logged in. No problems yet. I will leave it on to see if anything develops over time.
 
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