Lumin L2 & Lumin X1

ozzy said:
"With a 4-port audiophile-grade network switch on board, its two optical fiber SFP ports and two RJ45 copper ports, the L2 can streamline and enhance your network."

Mike, How? What more will it be able to do (music wise) over what I am already using the X1, hard drive, Ether Regen, fiber cable for? Can I use the 4-port switch for my Apple TV video connection?

I have seen it priced $5500-and $8000. Nice to know the lower price is more accurate.

ozzy
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It’s really aimed at folks already with a Lumin. What we learned with the L1 (and hopefully the Professor will chime in here) is that music stored on the L1/L2 actually sounds better than the exact same file played on the local NAS. The L2 is more of a complete solution for someone wanting to add network filtering, storage, fiber all under one roof or shall I say, in one box rather than having wires and boxes everywhere.

The $8000 number might be the price in Canada. The fully loaded 8TB SSD one here is $5500.

It’s really a cool piece. Sounds great. We’ve been playing with it for a couple of weeks now.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Ozzy
Antipodes Kala K41 is about the same as Lumin L2. But K41 is more expensive.
I almost bought a used K41 . But I decided to stick with Lumin. So I will put some money aside and place an order June 2024.I have LuminX1
So there must be a costumer demand for pure servers.
I know you from Audiogon Forum
 
I believe there are some similarities with L2 and K41, but also significant differences. My understanding is the L2 is a server for the music it stores for Lumin players while the K41 is a server for local storage via user installed SSD's and also server for multiple streaming services. There are some differences in I/O's and feature set as well, with fiber option for L2 and more switching options over the K41, which has an RJ45 input and output.

A couple years back I intended to purchase K40 for serving my X1, but at that time availability was a problem due to supply chain issues for needed parts, and I was unable to get one. Due to the supply chain issues, Antipodes discontinued the K40 and came out with K41. The original K40 was a G2 (Generation 2) technology while original K41 was a G3. Antipodes new units are now G4. Owners can elect to pay to have units converted to latest G4 tech. The G2 and G3 are not obsolete, but may require G4 update to accept free software updates coming. When I couldn't get a K40 (prior to K41 release), I ended up purchasing a K50 (G2), which houses both server and player computers. Antipodes revised the K50 not long after to selling G3, with an increase is MSRP. Upgrading to G4 is more expensive for a G2 than G3. I elected to upgrade my K50 to G4.

I have been very pleased with owner service provided by both Lumin and Antipodes. Lumin is very reactive to software needs and online forum advice, with business model of releasing new models for hardware changes rather than hardware upgrades for existing models. Antipodes also provides free software upgrades, but not nearly as frequent as Lumin. Antipodes business model gives choice of updating existing hardware for a price or purchase newer, evolved models. Antipodes has presence in a couple forums, with their own forum being the most informative at this time. Antipodes also provides great support for user issues by offering free scheduling appointments for Antipodes Tech Support to view your system online and remedy non-hardware issues. If hardware related, they will assist coordinating that as well.

I still have my X1, as well as other DACs. I use MinimServer enabled in K50 and set up in Lumin App to access my local stored SSD music for playing via the Lumin App. I also do use Roon with my X1, but generally prefer sound quality of the Lumin App for my X1. For other primary DAC, Mola Mola Makua with DAC (Tambaqui), I use Roon as well as Squeeze for server apps and Roon, Roon server with Squeeze player, and Squeeze server and player for local stored and Qobuz. I use USB, AES/EBU, and Roon Ready ethernet connections for my Mola Mola. I am using fiber to connect my X1 from my switch.

As noted above, I believe both companies offer excellent products and service. Due to me already covering my existing needs, I am not currently a prospect for an L2, but had it been available when I was looking at K40 and did not yet have the Mola Mola, I would have been closely looking at it.
 
Crocorock said:
Thanks for this post.
My understanding is that the K41 is a pure server. No streaming services.

I would like to know which sounds the best: K41 or L2?
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Respectfully, not sure how someone could answer this question with any accuracy without doing a direct side-by-side comparison in a well set-up room with proper acoustics, listening to the exact same well-mastered music content using the same DAC, amplification components, power distribution and speakers on the same day, at the same temperature and barometric pressure in the room. If all these other factors are not "controlled" (as in performing a properly controlled scientific or engineering experiment), any conclusions comparing them would be "anecdotal" rather than "objective", as it were.

Maybe a dealer that carries both products, or a reviewer that has had both in for review, and has properly set up both the L2 and K41 in a controlled manner in the "reference system", would be able provide the information you're looking for.

Good luck in your research and cheers.
 
You are wright
The Antipodes K41 is a lot more expensive than the Lumin L2 . There may be a reason ?
I almost bought a used K41 . But I ordered lately a L2 4TB : more affordable and maybe , more ´´ Plug and Play ´´ with my LuminX1.

Pierre
 
Regarding the K41, you would also need to consider whether it is an original G3 (Generation 3) or has had the hardware upgrade or new unit that is G4. There is also a very recent major software update that has been put on hold pending resolving issues some owners have experienced. I, fortunately, did not experience any issues updating my K50, G4. There are numerous owners, including me, that believe sound quality has been enhanced with this update, particularly Squeeze and Roon using Squeeze Player. There are additional software upgrades planned by Antipodes for later this year, which also have hinted at improved sound quality.

With my X1, I have toggled Minim Server as unlocked on my K50 server apps, which allows my X1 to utilize my stored and Qobuz music libraries with the Lumin App. Though generally advised to only select primary server app for best sound quality, I currently leave Minim Server on as well for ease when using my X1 instead of my Mola Mola.

With Antipodes K series servers, users easily add their own SSD storage to their units by use of slide trays in the rear of the units. If multiple drives are added, they are considered as single, logical storage entities. For the L2, my understanding is user can purchase pre-installed or add their own.

As noted above, it may be difficult to easily listen to both under controlled and same environments. My guess is it will be easier to find a K50 demo over a K41. There may also be difficulty finding dealers with L2 on hand. Somewhat understandably, dealers may be reluctant to purchase and then put some units into general demo status without a sales commitment, due to reduction in resale for a demo unit. I am confident with both Lumin and Antipodes sound quality and support.

Best of luck

My experiences with new and upgraded K50 along with my X1 have indicated to me that long break-in is advised critically evaluating. I do not know if that I the case with the L2 or the K41, but would not at all be surprised they both improve with run in time.
 
You are in a good position to testify about G4.
But when I was dealing for the K41 , ( G3 ) , the dealer told me that G4 was not , as good as G3 , on a audio stand point.
He refered me to forums about that topic and , yes , posters prefered G3 than G4. Some owners who updated to G4 wanted to get back to G3.
 
I too read some user reviews that were concerned on sound quality changes with the hardware upgrade to G4. I elected to hold initially upgrading my originally released K50 to get more feedback. I recalled my perception of the K50 sound quality improved a good deal from initial as I reached about 200 hours. Though gradual, I felt that my K50 continued to improve over a number of months. The user reviews of G4 appeared to me to become more enthusiastic of the upgrade sound quality. I was not unhappy with K50, but was very interested in the upgrade of USB by addition of the reclocker, and elected to pursue the upgrade. Turn around was pretty quick, approximately 2 weeks. In the interim, I used a Small Green Computer i5 CDR--previous unit to my K50--as a server for my X1. When my K50 returned, I again found that it improved substantially once I was past 100 hours and continued to benefit from additional hours. Audio memory with a break of weeks is tricky, and I had an interim unit in place to boot.

While the sound is still organic to me, it seems to me it has edged slightly to more neutral/less warm than prior, with a bit more pace and detail, but again, audio memory could be suspect. USB has improved, as I had hoped. My understanding is the K41 G4 is the same as the K50 G4 server portion with both gaining an increase in resources, triple-cascade power supply technology, new isolation footers and a new warranty with the upgrade. The K50 also gained similar improvements on the player side as well. My K50 also gained the RJ45 I2S output that my original did not have.

So much of what we perceive in our systems is very system dependent, and even small changes can make a difference. Whether the difference is perceived as better or worse is up to the listener. I think it would be interesting for sure to be able to compare a G3 vs G4 with very similar hours and cabling in the same system and room. My feel is even 200 hours run in is probably not enough. Rightly or wrongly, I have believed that power supplies can make a significant difference and can take many hours to evolve. My original K50 had linear power supplies, while the G4 triple-cascade technology is different. I was happy with my original K50 and happy now. Possibly in error, but I believe my upgraded hardware may be better suited for software changes recently released and those coming.

Interestingly, those initial concern reports on G4 sound quality appear to have largely faded, and a number of those now are happy campers. Maybe evolving equipment run in hours have played a part, as well as users' perceptions adapting to changes.
 
further said:
I do not know if that I the case with the L2 or the K41, but would not at all be surprised they both improve with run in time.
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and...
further said:
My feel is even 200 hours run in is probably not enough. Rightly or wrongly, I have believed that power supplies can make a significant difference and can take many hours to evolve. My original K50 had linear power supplies, while the G4 triple-cascade technology is different. I was happy with my original K50 and happy now. Possibly in error, but I believe my upgraded hardware may be better suited for software changes recently released and those coming.
Click to expand...

Yep, none of these findings are inconsistent with my experience with "burning in" my Lumin P1. The guidance from Lumin is that the P1 requires 500 hours of "burn-in" to acheive optimal performance, and I've found that to be an acccurate figure.

Also agree with the statement that power supplies make a difference; they certainly do.
 
I’ve read a few reviews of the L2 (Audiophile Style and High Fidelity Poland) and it seems it would be the optimal solution for someone already owning a Lumin streamer. For instance, if one had a large library of stored music, you could use the SSDs to access your music from a Lumin streamer via its bespoke app. From what I have gathered, the SQ would be better than accessing those same files via a NAS. Further, one could use its broadcast-grade switch capabilities. Whether that switch would be better than, say, an etherRegen, I do not know. It does seem to me that keeping one’s system housed within the Lumin ecosystem could be an advantage. That’s what I have gathered from the few reviews I’ve read and some interactions with a Lumin rep.

For those using Roon, a Lumin rep said using a connected drive within a Roon NUC would probably be better than mapping the L2 drives to Roon.

For me, therefore, the L2 is something to consider. I have an X1 and it’s connected by fiber to an etherRegen. I also use Roon with a NUC-embedded drive. If I were to use the L2, I’d buy the version without drives and install the SSDs myself, which Lumin permits one to do. I’d sell my etherRegen and external AfterDark OCXO clock that is connected to it. In turn, I’d use the fiber out to my X1 and an RJ45 connection to my Roon NUC. As for use, I’d primarily use the Lumin app for stored music and high-quality streaming. I’d use Roon only for streaming when casually listening or wishing to use its music discovery feature. So, in essence, I’d ignore the Roon NUC stored music.

In sum, the L2, for me, would be an optional way to squeeze a bit more SQ from my system.
 
Flashman said:
I’ve read a few reviews of the L2 (Audiophile Style and High Fidelity Poland) and it seems it would be the optimal solution for someone already owning a Lumin streamer. For instance, if one had a large library of stored music, you could use the SSDs to access your music from a Lumin streamer via its bespoke app. From what I have gathered, the SQ would be better than accessing those same files via a NAS. Further, one could use its broadcast-grade switch capabilities. Whether that switch would be better than, say, an etherRegen, I do not know. It does seem to me that keeping one’s system housed within the Lumin ecosystem could be an advantage. That’s what I have gathered from the few reviews I’ve read and some interactions with a Lumin rep.

For those using Roon, a Lumin rep said using a connected drive within a Roon NUC would probably be better than mapping the L2 drives to Roon.

For me, therefore, the L2 is something to consider. I have an X1 and it’s connected by fiber to an etherRegen. I also use Roon with a NUC-embedded drive. If I were to use the L2, I’d buy the version without drives and install the SSDs myself, which Lumin permits one to do. I’d sell my etherRegen and external AfterDark OCXO clock that is connected to it. In turn, I’d use the fiber out to my X1 and an RJ45 connection to my Roon NUC. As for use, I’d primarily use the Lumin app for stored music and high-quality streaming. I’d use Roon only for streaming when casually listening or wishing to use its music discovery feature. So, in essence, I’d ignore the Roon NUC stored music.

In sum, the L2, for me, would be an optional way to squeeze a bit more SQ from my system.
Click to expand...

A well-writtten and informative post. I'd agree that the L2's target customer base is primarily for Lumin X1, P1, etc., owners as a very-high quality and very good-sounding "library" for music files, either ripped from disc or from direct download.

Personally, I can't say if files stored on the L2 would sound better than those stored on a generic hard drive, NAS, or a music server's hard drive, simply because I've never heard an L2.

But...knowing Lumin's expertise in this area and how highly they execute on virtually everything they do with respect to product design and development, if I were to hypothesize, it would be that the L2 sounds better than a "generic" external HD, NAS, or when that file is sent from an upstream music server.

What I can say that a music file ripped from disc, and residing on a small hard drive directly connected to a Lumin P1 or a U2 sounds better using the Lumin app than when that same ripped file is served up using Roon from an upstream music server, (e.g. my Akasa NUC Roon Core), and the Akasa NUC Roon Core sounds better than when that same recording is streamed from Qobuz.

Summing up, in my direct experience the highest audio quality sequence is obtained as follows, assuming the same music file/album is the reference file:

1) Lumin app serving up ripped music file resident on HD directly connected to P1/U2 > 2) ripped music file served up via Roon on Akasa NUC-type music server HD via optical fiber > 3) streamed via Qobuz with optical fiber.

Cheers, gents.
 
Just received and installed the L2 in my system; it was an instant upgrade. Music flows more easily and with greater separation and detail compared to my previous setup listed below. I agree with Wojciech Pacula (High Fidelity, Poland) who said it works best as a combined library and switch. Keeping everything within the Lumin ecosystem (I have an X1) has tangible benefits. Chris Connaker of Audiophile Style came to the same conclusion.

Prior to using the L2 as a switch, I had an etherRegen switch with an attached AfterDark OCXO clock with digital filter and digital cable and linear power supply. All that is now gone.

I was also accessing my stored music via a Synology NAS and, as a secondary approach, SSDs inside a Roon NUC.

I’m using all the network ports on the L2: fiber from my router and fiber to the X1. The RJ45 connections are to the Roon NUC and a TV.

Now, I mainly use the JPlay for iOS app to play music through my X1, specifically Tidal streaming and stored music on two 2TB Samsung SSDs that I installed without a hitch. I rarely use my Roon setup, preferring it primarily for music discovery.
 
The Rodney Dangerfield of the Lumin Line-Up: The Neglected but Sublime L2

Among Lumin’s highly regarded digital audio components, the L2 music server and network switch is often overlooked, much like Rodney Dangerfield’s famous lament: “I don’t get no respect.” While its siblings—the U2, P1, and X1—garner widespread acclaim, the L2 quietly delivers outstanding performance without the fanfare. However, those who take the time to experience it find a product that is both brilliantly engineered and musically rewarding.

Chris Connaker of Audiophile Style and Wojciech Pacuła of High Fidelity Poland have both turned their attention to the L2, and their findings make a compelling case for this underappreciated gem. Connaker lauds the L2 for its simplicity and efficiency, highlighting its seamless integration into high-end systems. He notes that its SSD-based storage and precision-engineered network switch result in an ultra-low-noise digital signal that enhances playback clarity and depth. While Lumin’s streamer lineup gets most of the attention, Connaker argues that the L2 is an essential component for those seeking a pristine digital source.

Pacuła, writing for High Fidelity Poland, echoes these sentiments, praising the L2’s sonic impact and build quality. He emphasizes that, in the right system, the L2 provides a natural, analog-like presentation that is both immersive and engaging. Pacuła also points out that while the L2 lacks the flashy appeal of more visible components, its influence on overall system performance is undeniable. He goes so far as to call it one of the best-designed music servers available today.

For those in the know, the L2 is far more than an overlooked component—it’s a hidden treasure. Audiophiles seeking the ultimate in digital playback would do well to give it the respect it deserves.
 
Flashman said:
The Rodney Dangerfield of the Lumin Line-Up: The Neglected but Sublime L2

Among Lumin’s highly regarded digital audio components, the L2 music server and network switch is often overlooked, much like Rodney Dangerfield’s famous lament: “I don’t get no respect.” While its siblings—the U2, P1, and X1—garner widespread acclaim, the L2 quietly delivers outstanding performance without the fanfare. However, those who take the time to experience it find a product that is both brilliantly engineered and musically rewarding.

Chris Connaker of Audiophile Style and Wojciech Pacuła of High Fidelity Poland have both turned their attention to the L2, and their findings make a compelling case for this underappreciated gem. Connaker lauds the L2 for its simplicity and efficiency, highlighting its seamless integration into high-end systems. He notes that its SSD-based storage and precision-engineered network switch result in an ultra-low-noise digital signal that enhances playback clarity and depth. While Lumin’s streamer lineup gets most of the attention, Connaker argues that the L2 is an essential component for those seeking a pristine digital source.

Pacuła, writing for High Fidelity Poland, echoes these sentiments, praising the L2’s sonic impact and build quality. He emphasizes that, in the right system, the L2 provides a natural, analog-like presentation that is both immersive and engaging. Pacuła also points out that while the L2 lacks the flashy appeal of more visible components, its influence on overall system performance is undeniable. He goes so far as to call it one of the best-designed music servers available today.

For those in the know, the L2 is far more than an overlooked component—it’s a hidden treasure. Audiophiles seeking the ultimate in digital playback would do well to give it the respect it deserves.
Click to expand...
You can improve the quality of the signal entering the L-2 even more, if you connect a network filter such as the muon pro
which handles EMI/RFI noise. Hard to believe, but it actually improves the overall sound, even when the L2 is connected to the X-1 VIA fiber. I don't understand how, but the difference is there. My amp and speakers are very transparent, so I can hear it very well, and can not live without it :cool::)
 
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