Lumin T2

Darrel said:
Wklie, I also have a new T2 coming my way. I'm in the middle of rearranging my audio rack for the T2. How much room on top of the T2 is required? Does the unit get hot or have a space requirement?
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I'm not finding my T2 to get warm at all in my experience but I keep mine on top of the rack so there is adequate ventilation. I wouldn't think it needs a lot of space.
 
I'm not finding my T2 to get warm at all in my experience but I keep mine on top of the rack so there is adequate ventilation. I wouldn't think it needs a lot of space.​
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Thanks freesole, I'm trying to get creative with my rack and limit my requirements to accommodate the AQ Niagra 1000 under my rack if possible.
 
the T2 seems like a very nice concept and I am interested in auditioning one. Has anybody compared the DAC portion with other DACs, like the PS Audio DS or the Denafrips Terminator or the Chord Hugo TT2 ?

Also is anybody using it as a streamer only device ? If so, what DACs are you using with ?

@Peter,
does the Ethernet input have enough isolation (apart from the Ethernet transformer that already comes with the PHY) to reject external noise ? What I mean is does it need an external isolator (like a Gigafoil) or an audiophile switch to maximize its full potential ?
 
The T2 gets only slightly warm - should not be very hot. Its streamer function is effectively the same as a U1 MINI, with the T2 supporting DSD512 for those DAC that are Linux native DSD compatible, but the U1 MINI is limited to DSD256 for those DAC that are Linux native DSD compatible.

The Ethernet port on a Lumin is a normal implementation with a transformer. You can ask Mike about what he thinks about using Gigafoil with a Lumin.
 
You guys are probably going to love your T2. I sold mine as it just wasn't a perfect match for my Persona 5fs. 7 out of ten songs where fantastic but I couldnt listen long term.
The right speakers and it will be the perfect player. Plays real nice with a 1 TB attached hard drive. Good luck!!
 
wklie said:
I assume you don't need to have both the 2-channel integrated amp and the Denon AVR producing sound at the same time. If that's right, simply use a BNC to RCA coaxial cable to connect the Lumin BNC-SPDIF output to the coaxial output of the Denon AVR. (Or, for T2 and X1, you can connect a USB cable from Lumin T2 / X1 USB port to the Denon AVR USB audio port).

Then you can use Lumin app to choose whether the T2 / X1 outputs sound via analog for sound output from your 2-channel amp, or SPDIF or USB digital output to your Denon AVR for multi-channel DSP.

If you merely want to burn in the equipment and don't mind a possible SQ degradation, you could even connect both the XLR and RCA analog outputs of Lumin to the 2-channel amp and Denon AVR, so both are active at the same time.
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Thanks Pete. As you are already aware I have gotten the X1 and in the midst of setting up fiber connection
However, my plan remains the same i.e. to have my 2-channel amp hook up to my Denon AVR via HT Bypass and the X1 connected ti the Denon via the Unbalanced Output L&R on the X1 and the Lumin's XLR to my 2-channel amp
To run-in my front speakers (via the 2-channel amp) and the center and surrounds via the denon, both amps need to be powered on. Not too worried about SQ degradation at this stage though
 
Hi all, newbie here looking for some advice. I currently stream my music from my Synology NAS to my Marantz SR8012, using HEOS and it plays almost everything I throw at it (doesn't do multi channel audio files, but it's not really a big deal). I have a fairly big collection of SACDs ripped to dsf and plenty of hi res flac files. I'm now looking to upgrade my system by getting a stereo power amp to feed my front L/R channels, and also looking at a streamer/DAC and the T2 sounds like it might be a good fit for me, but I have a few questions I hope someone can help me with.

1. Does the T2 need a preamp or can I feed it directly into a power amp. Does it make any difference to the sound quality?
2. If I used the Marantz as a pre via the analog inputs and fed it from there to an amp, would it degrade the sound in any way?
2. The S1 is available at a good discount right now, the price would be not much more than a new T2. I don't need the DSD512 capability, so I'm wondering do people think it would be better to grab the S1 or go with the updated technology of the T2?
 
1. We do shows with a Lumin X1 direct to Lumin power amp, but I understand many people prefer having a preamp. It is setup and taste dependent.

2. After you have burned-in both the Lumin and the power amp, you can try to compare Lumin direct to power amp vs Lumin -> SR8012 -> power amp and see which sounds better to you. The SR8012 should be put in Pure Direct mode.

3. If there is a high probability that you think you'll do a direct to power amp (or passive) setup, T2 has 6V rms balanced output may be more suitable as it ensures you have enough gain for low volume music passages, compared to the S1 which has 4V rms balanced output.
 
Hi Peter, thanks for your rapid and informative response, it's much appreciated. Do you have a showroom or should I go to one of the distributors listed on your website for a demo (I'm in HK also)? Any particular distributor you would recommend?
 
To the best of my knowledge, I think there are two dealers in Hong Kong which have Lumin T2 to demo:

1.
B&W Group Asia Ltd
8/F., 1 Duddell St., Central, Hong Kong
+852 28699916

2.
Global Audio & Visual
16th Floor, Yau Shing Commercial Centre,
No. 51 Sai Yeung Choi Street,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
+852 27891733

The second one even has the new Lumin power amp.

One more thing - if you use SR8012 and set the subwoofer mode to (not default) LFE+Main, there will be subwoofer output even in Pure Direct mode for analog input - depends on your front speakers this is something you may prefer or not prefer (then leave it as default LFE mode).
 
That's handy to know about the sub option, thanks. I do prefer to have good bass in the mix, so it's nice to have the option either way depending on how the speakers sound. Thanks so much for your assistance.
 
Received the T2 today. It was wrapped in plastic like they were afraid of a flood. No complaints on my part. USP is known as the oOPs delivery service sometimes. I hooked up my Samsung flash drive with my CD/flac files. Connectied my Cardas Cygnus power cord and XLR cables. Located and hooked up the Keces power supply with the GigaFoil connected to my router and Cardas ethernet cable to the T2. Next step turn on power to the Keces and T2. First notice from the T2...network error. Ugh....well after some trial and error changes I got the GigaFoil to light up and the T2 was ready to go. I've added a lot of cables and equipment in the last two days. Maybe too many at one time. But, things are in place and now I can work with the Lumin app on my iPad. Right out of the gate my impressions are that music is much more dynamic. Using XLR cables my play a role in that. But, I also hear a muddy or smearing of sound. I'm hoping it's just a matter of everything settling in.
 
Darrel said:
Received the T2 today. It was wrapped in plastic like they were afraid of a flood. No complaints on my part. USP is known as the oOPs delivery service sometimes. I hooked up my Samsung flash drive with my CD/flac files. Connectied my Cardas Cygnus power cord and XLR cables. Located and hooked up the Keces power supply with the GigaFoil connected to my router and Cardas ethernet cable to the T2. Next step turn on power to the Keces and T2. First notice from the T2...network error. Ugh....well after some trial and error changes I got the GigaFoil to light up and the T2 was ready to go. I've added a lot of cables and equipment in the last two days. Maybe too many at one time. But, things are in place and now I can work with the Lumin app on my iPad. Right out of the gate my impressions are that music is much more dynamic. Using XLR cables my play a role in that. But, I also hear a muddy or smearing of sound. I'm hoping it's just a matter of everything settling in.
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Darrel - Congrats on your new Lumin T2! Definitely give it some time for everything to settle into your system, but if you still have any issue with the sound quality I'd suggest trying the T2 direct to your power amp. If I understand how you currently have it connected you're feeding the analog outputs of the T2 (which have already been converted to analog from the digital sources) to the analog inputs of the NAD M12. The M12 operates in the digital domain, so it converts its analog inputs back to digital for processing and volume control before converting its output back to analog to drive the power amp. So you're putting the analog output of the T2 through an additional conversion into digital only to then be converted back to analog again. Eliminating these two extra conversions could be beneficial to your system's level of performance, but the only way to know would be to try it. You'd have to use the Lumin T2's variable output to drive your power amp directly, or you could alternatively try an analog preamp in place of the NAD M12. The NAD is a fine piece of gear, but it may not be ideal to achieve the highest level of performance in your system's current configuration. Just something to consider.
 
Thanks audio.bill. that was one of my concerns about the T2 and the M12 together. I've added quit a few things into my system this week so I really don't want to be making big changes until I understand my current systems sound. I ran the ethernet cable directly from my router to the T2 and any harsh or muddy sound I was experiencing was removed. I turned off my computer to see if that was affecting anything in the chain. I don't think that has played a part in what I'm hearing. I think it's the GigaFoil at this point. And I'm hoping it will settle in after some hour of usage.
 
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