XLR is recommended.
Lumin S1 Review
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
XLR is recommended.
Projectman
Member
I just received my “new to me” Lumin S1! Speechless! Sweet sounds...goosebumps!
Perfect Sense
Member
Good for you 
/ Marcus
/ Marcus
- Thread Author
- #65
Projectman
Member
Today, as an experiment, I linked together my Lumin S1 and PS Audio Directstream DAC w/ Bridge II as a Roon Group zone so I could stream the same song from both units simultaneously to my integrated amp. I connected the Directstream DAC to RCA inputs and the Lumin S1 to the XLR inputs on the integrated (only one pair of XLR inputs), and then I switched the amp between both inputs to evaluate each player. I did have to increase the gain on the integrated for the Directstream so the volumes were equal.
Guess which one sounded fuller, more detailed, had a bigger soundstage, and gave the overall best experience. The Lumin S1!
I will keep the Directstream DAC because I like the sound paired with the Directstream Memory Player.
Another test will evaluating the DAC built in to the integrated (Mark Levinson No. 585) and run it head to head with the Directstream DAC using the memory player as the source (as soon as it returns from PS Audio for warranty repair) connected to the 585 via XLR, and then i’ll connect the memory player to the 585 via USB. I would guess the Directstream DAC would sound better as it has an I2S connection from the Memory Player.
At the end of the day I’m very pleased with the S1. It is the best audio purchase this humble audio enthusiast has ever made!
Bottom line, the Lumin S1/L1 combo is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Guess which one sounded fuller, more detailed, had a bigger soundstage, and gave the overall best experience. The Lumin S1!
I will keep the Directstream DAC because I like the sound paired with the Directstream Memory Player.
Another test will evaluating the DAC built in to the integrated (Mark Levinson No. 585) and run it head to head with the Directstream DAC using the memory player as the source (as soon as it returns from PS Audio for warranty repair) connected to the 585 via XLR, and then i’ll connect the memory player to the 585 via USB. I would guess the Directstream DAC would sound better as it has an I2S connection from the Memory Player.
At the end of the day I’m very pleased with the S1. It is the best audio purchase this humble audio enthusiast has ever made!
Bottom line, the Lumin S1/L1 combo is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
BlueFox
New member
I have to agree. I have had zero desire to get something else vs the S1. However, I am waiting for the next gen so I can buy it, and move my S1 into the HT/stereo system.
Jack
Active member
You may still prefer the Lumin over the Bridge II, but just for experiments sake I would try using RCA's on the Lumin and XLR's on the DS/Bridge and see if you hear a difference. I found with my DS/Bridge II and Lumin the XLR ouputs were always the preferred choice soundwise and not just due to the gain difference.
- Thread Author
- #69
I’ve had my S-1 for about 3 years. To this day, remain very happy with the sound, looks, ease of use and support from LUMIN (Peter and the LUMIN team continue to do a great job upgrading the software - e.g. MQA support!).
Projectman
Member
Do you power off your S1 overnight or just setup and use the sleep function? Is there an advantage of powering off vs. sleep?
the professor
Well-known member
I left it on 24/7 and now I leave my U1 on all the time.
BlueFox
New member
The only time I turn mine off is when I remove the USB drive to add files to it. Since the Lumin uses an OS, and OSes, along with apps, can have memory leaks, it is a good idea to periodically power cycle just to have a fresh install.