Lumin A1 / T1 / D2 / D1 Filter Listening Test

wklie

wklie

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Seeking users to participate in a PCM Filter Listening Test.

Requires Lumin A1 / T1 / D2 / D1

(Not for Lumin S1 / M1 / U1)

Objective: to find out whether an alternative filter sounds better for 44.1kHz music and Hi-Res PCM music using an experimental firmware. Switching between the standard filter and the alternative filter only requires a setting change using Lumin app, without requiring installation of the firmware again.

(It is also possible to downgrade from the experimental to official firmware if desired.)

To participate, please let me know your Lumin model so I can send you an experimental firmware and further instructions.

Thank you.
 
Yes, I'd be willing. D1. (Not yet breaking in that new amp I mentioned in another thread.)

wklie said:
Seeking users to participate in a PCM Filter Listening Test.

Requires Lumin A1 / T1 / D2 / D1

(Not for Lumin S1 / M1 / U1)

Objective: to find out whether an alternative filter sounds better for 44.1kHz music and Hi-Res PCM music using an experimental firmware. Switching between the standard filter and the alternative filter only requires a setting change using Lumin app, without requiring installation of the firmware again.

(It is also possible to downgrade from the experimental to official firmware if desired.)

To participate, please let me know your Lumin model so I can send you an experimental firmware and further instructions.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Peter and participating forum members,

I have listened to some of my favourite albums with the Ultra-sonic Filter for DSD on off and on (changing the filter settings does repeat the track automatically).

It could be that with filter off the volume might be slighter higher, anyway I tend to prefer playing with the subsonic filter off.

To put his experience in perspective, I am 67 years, and I sincerely doubt if my ears would be able tot pass a blind test. I did't play the lumin on a headphone.

Below some of the albums:
Ray brown Solar Energy 24b 192 kHz
Beethoven Piano Concert 5 Arrau Davis 16-44 KHz
Bach Violin Concertos Rachel Podger 16-44
Mark Knopfler Tracker (deluxe) 24-192
Yusef Lateef The Gentle Giant 24-192
 
midpoint said:
It could be that with filter off the volume might be slighter higher, anyway I tend to prefer playing with the subsonic filter off.
Click to expand...

The special firmware does not change volume, but the feedback about volume is interesting. This makes sense because after using a different filter the treble, mid, bass presentation is slightly different, so they may affect the perception of volume too. I also recall that when we did a comparison of two digital transports, one gave the perception of higher volume despite the same bits sending to the same USB DAC via the same USB cable. "Bits are bits" objectivists reading this might say we're hallucinating or selling FUD or snake oil, but luckily in this forum members are generally more open minded.

In the special firmware the filter setting DSD Ultrasonic filter (previously applicable to DSD playback only) is mapped to an unnamed experimental PCM filter when PCM is being played, which is not really about ultrasonic.
 
wklie said:
In the special firmware the filter setting DSD Ultrasonic filter (previously applicable to DSD playback only) is mapped to an unnamed experimental PCM filter when PCM is being played, which is not really about ultrasonic.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. The filter test is concluded.

Back in 2012, before Lumin A1 was launched we already did listening tests and settled on what we believed to be the best filters (which I cannot disclose).

With renewed debate of filters caused by MQA, I thought it would be very meaningful to have users listen to the filters for non-MQA music and see what they think.

Of those who responded with a preference, half chose one filter, and the other half chose the other. I'll send PM to participants individually to inform them exactly what they preferred. This is consistent with every other audio debate in that there is no general consensus on what is the best, e.g. SS vs tube, PCM vs DSD, etc.

Note that in normal firmware 10.2, the Ultrasonic DSD Filter setting has no effect on PCM, unlike the special firmware sent to participants of the filter test.

For those who are interested in other filter tests:
http://www.audiomasterclass.com/new...se-eq-on-transient-signals-such-as-snare-drum
https://www.stereophile.com/features/106ringing/index.html
http://archimago.blogspot.hk/2015/07/the-linear-vs-minimum-phase-upsampling_10.html
 
I know that D1 and D2 use “Fuse” to protect their internal circuit. How about the higher products in the product line, especially T1? Are you using C Coupling Technique?
 
Mark P. said:
I know that D1 and D2 use “Fuse” to protect their internal circuit. How about the higher products in the product line, especially T1? Are you using C Coupling Technique?
Click to expand...

There is a fuse in some power supplies. If you're referring to capacitor coupling in the output, T1 does not do that. In T1 / A1 / S1 you'll find Lundahl transformers.
 
wklie said:
There is a fuse in some power supplies. If you're referring to capacitor coupling in the output, T1 does not do that. In T1 / A1 / S1 you'll find Lundahl transformers.
Click to expand...

What I mean is AC Fuse. I saw D1 and D2 has one at the IEC Inlet. But, cannot see one on T1 external power supply. So, I wonder what technic you are using.

By the way, I have already ordered T1.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Thanks for the order. Since you've asked about fuse, are you planning to upgrade the fuse?
 
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