Lumin U1 Native DSD256 - Call for beta testers

[wklie]

We're working on adding limited experimental support for Native Quad DSD 256 11.2MHz to Lumin U1.

Those who are willing to participate in beta testing this feature please let me know by replying to this post or PM.

Requirements
- Lumin U1
- USB DAC that supports Native DSD (if supported on Linux) or DSD256

Free DSD256 music download:
http://www.2l.no/hires/
http://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/quad-speed-dsd256-works-by-ve-kuseru-dorm-nantes-of-japan/
https://members.nativedsd.com/albums/just-listen-1-compilation
https://members.nativedsd.com/albums/mendelssohn-session
http://bluecoastmusic.com/free-downloads

Note
- USB output only
- Stereo 2-channel only
- No DSD256 resampling from/to other formats (limited to DSD128 currently)
- Native DSD mode may help certain USB DAC to have less DSD pop sound if they do in DoP mode
- DSD256 cannot be added to other Lumin models

 

[Mike]

Peter - does the U1 have the horsepower (potentially) to do DSD512? I ask because that would be ideal for my T+A DAC8 users.

 

[wisnon]

Peter - does the U1 have the horsepower (potentially) to do DSD512? I ask because that would be ideal for my T+A DAC8 users.

I think he is talking about native rate playback, no upsampling, so its a software thing, not a hardware/horsepower thing.

 

[wklie]

Peter - does the U1 have the horsepower (potentially) to do DSD512? I ask because that would be ideal for my T+A DAC8 users.

Although we have not done analysis of this, I guess it may be beyond the U1 hardware processing power to upsample PCM to DSD512.

As for having U1 play a DSD512 file and send it to a USB DAC, we'd like to verify that as well, even though DSD512 content is almost non-existent (other than upsampling via tools).

 

[ppnuts]

We're working on adding limited experimental support for Native Quad DSD 256 11.2MHz to Lumin U1.

Those who are willing to participate in beta testing this feature please let me know by replying to this post or PM.

Requirements
- Lumin U1
- USB DAC that supports Native DSD (if supported on Linux) or DSD256

Free DSD256 music download:
http://www.2l.no/hires/
http://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/quad-speed-dsd256-works-by-ve-kuseru-dorm-nantes-of-japan/
https://members.nativedsd.com/albums/just-listen-1-compilation
https://members.nativedsd.com/albums/mendelssohn-session
http://bluecoastmusic.com/free-downloads

Note
- USB output only
- Stereo 2-channel only
- No DSD256 resampling from/to other formats (limited to DSD128 currently)
- Native DSD mode may help certain USB DAC to have less DSD pop sound if they do in DoP mode
- DSD256 cannot be added to other Lumin models

Many thanks. Yes, I am interested in participating in the testing.

 

[ppnuts]

Although we have not done analysis of this, I guess it may be beyond the U1 hardware processing power to upsample PCM to DSD512.

As for having U1 play a DSD512 file and send it to a USB DAC, we'd like to verify that as well, even though DSD512 content is almost non-existent (other than upsampling via tools).

Thanks once again for letting me have the beta firmware. Upgraded my U1 to it. DSD256 files downloaded from the sites you recommended run smoothly without any issues. The U1 is indeed a versatile streamer. It feeds my Holo Spring DAC via the Singxer SU-1 DDC. My listening pleasure is now escalated to a higher level.

 

[arthurs]

Sure, I'd like to play!

 

[RichardA1]

I would like to participate.

 

[wklie]

We released Firmware 8.03 for Lumin U1 that does Native DSD and DSD256 (for DSD256 music file only, not upsampling from PCM yet).

This is primarily intended for those USB DAC that are supported by Linux in Native DSD256 mode (different from DSD-over-PCM DoP). If the USB DAC supports DoP256, it may also work in case the Native DSD256 data transfer cannot be established. However, DoP256 is rarely supported by USB DAC.

When using Lumin U1 with LampizatOr USB DAC that uses Amanero USB module, it works up to DSD DoP128 only, and Native DSD256 does not work. This is because Amanero support for Linux Native DSD is a work-in-progress, to my knowledge.

It seems that T+A also uses Amanero in some products, so I guess the same limitation is also applicable.

 

[Phil A]

We released Firmware 8.03 for Lumin U1 that does Native DSD and DSD256 (for DSD256 music file only, not upsampling from PCM yet).

This is primarily intended for those USB DAC that are supported by Linux in Native DSD256 mode (different from DSD-over-PCM DoP). If the USB DAC supports DoP256, it may also work in case the Native DSD256 data transfer cannot be established. However, DoP256 is rarely supported by USB DAC.

When using Lumin U1 with LampizatOr USB DAC that uses Amanero USB module, it works up to DSD DoP128 only, and Native DSD256 does not work. This is because Amanero support for Linux Native DSD is a work-in-progress, to my knowledge.

It seems that T+A also uses Amanero in some products, so I guess the same limitation is also applicable.

Just got a lightly used U1. Had lightning damage a couple of weeks before getting it so other than configure the NAS properly and inputting the library (still have to probably rename stuff to get much of the artwork) I have not done anything except play things for about 45 minutes. Had also sent my EMM Labs DAC2X for the upgrade (details below) and got that back was was able to verify I can do single rate DoP via the AES output of the Lumin.

Saw the pop-up for firmware 8.03. Have not done that yet. I guess I have to decide if I am going to prefer a digital input of the DAC vs. USB?

[FONT=&quot]"The V2 versions of these DACs is said to include:[/FONT]

• MDAC™ in both platforms are now fully discrete DSD512/8xDSD D/A converters completely built in-house at our manufacturing facility in Canada
• Our multi-award winning MDAT2™ DSP has also been refined and updated to synergistically work with the new 8xDSD MDAC™. The new MDAT2™ DSP does real-time transient detection, processing and up-conversion of all incoming audio, PCM and DSD, before sending it to the new MDAC™
• Our DSD audio signal path has been re-designed allowing for further enhancements in transparency during the DSD to Analog conversion process
• Proprietary hardware galvanic isolation for the USB Audio interface
• Support for DSD128/2xDSD and DXD streaming via USB Audio
• Support for DSD (DoP) streaming via TOSLINK, SPDIF and AES "

 

[wklie]

When using Lumin U1 with LampizatOr USB DAC that uses Amanero USB module, it works up to DSD DoP128 only, and Native DSD256 does not work. This is because Amanero support for Linux Native DSD is a work-in-progress, to my knowledge.

Previously Lumin DSD256 and DSD512 USB output worked on XMOS-based DAC and Esoteric / TEAC DAC but not Amanero-based DAC such as most models of LampizatOr.

Two years later, there are now experimental firmware upgrades for both LampizatOr / Amanero-based DSD DAC and Lumin U1 / U1 MINI / T2 / X1 to enable Lumin to send DSD512 (not for U1 MINI) or DSD256 to DAC via USB.

There are risks involved in DAC firmware upgrade procedure and the use of experimental firmware, so proceed with caution.

If you're running an Amanero USB firmware older than 2002BE on your LampizatOr, you need to ask LampizatOr for upgrade instruction suitable for your particular DAC model. If you're using a non-LampizatOr DAC that uses Amanero USB board, please consult your DAC manufacturer. Important:
1. Take note of which firmware version you are currently running before proceeding to upgrade to a new firmware.
2. Some DAC need DSD channel swap Amanero DAC firmware, some don't. Getting this wrong will result in DSD left/right channel being reversed.

After upgrading LampizatOr / Amanero, please test playback of different tracks of PCM and DSD64 / DSD128 to be working with no new and unexpected issue (e.g. pop / noise / left right channel swap / mute issues) with track changes.

Then you may get an experimental firmware from me to upgrade the Lumin U1 / U1 MINI / T2 / X1. If everything works as expected you can then play DSD256 music files, or upsample to DSD512 / DSD256 via Roon.

In case there is anyone using a current model of Mytek (e.g. Brooklyn DAC+) or a modern XMOS-based DAC but Lumin USB output of DSD256 does not work, this firmware may also fix it.

 

[ppnuts]

Previously Lumin DSD256 and DSD512 USB output worked on XMOS-based DAC and Esoteric / TEAC DAC but not Amanero-based DAC such as most models of LampizatOr.

Two years later, there are now experimental firmware upgrades for both LampizatOr / Amanero-based DSD DAC and Lumin U1 / U1 MINI / T2 / X1 to enable Lumin to send DSD512 (not for U1 MINI) or DSD256 to DAC via USB.

There are risks involved in DAC firmware upgrade procedure and the use of experimental firmware, so proceed with caution.

If you're running an Amanero USB firmware older than 2002BE on your LampizatOr, you need to ask LampizatOr for upgrade instruction suitable for your particular DAC model. If you're using a non-LampizatOr DAC that uses Amanero USB board, please consult your DAC manufacturer. Important:
1. Take note of which firmware version you are currently running before proceeding to upgrade to a new firmware.
2. Some DAC need DSD channel swap firmware, some don't. Getting this wrong will result in DSD left/right channel being reversed.

After upgrading LampizatOr / Amanero, please test playback of different tracks of PCM and DSD64 / DSD128 to be working with no new and unexpected issue (e.g. pop / noise / left right channel swap / mute issues) with track changes.

Then you may get an experimental firmware from me to upgrade the Lumin U1 / U1 MINI / T2 / X1. If everything works as expected you can then play DSD256 music files, or upsample to DSD512 / DSD256 via Roon.

In case there is anyone using a current model of Mytek (e.g. Brooklyn DAC+) or a modern XMOS-based DAC but Lumin USB output of DSD256 does not work, this firmware may also fix it.

I am at the moment using Lumin U1 through USB to Singxer SU-1 I2S to Denafrips Terminator. My left / right channels are reversed. I think this beta firmware would be of help. How may I get it?

 

[Mike]

I want to test DSD512 into the MSB ProUSB, so sign me up!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wklie]

I am at the moment using Lumin U1 through USB to Singxer SU-1 I2S to Denafrips Terminator. My left / right channels are reversed. I think this beta firmware would be of help. How may I get it?

Please try Lumin U1 USB output to Denafrips. See if the left / right channels are correct - they should be, but in case they are not, you need a new firmware from Denafrips.

If this Lumin USB output is correct, then your I2S configuration is not correct. You may need new firmware(s) for Singxer or Denafrips, and/or a configuration change in Singxer (if available). Note that Singxer has different firmware for different DACs. (Alternatively if you are using Roon, you can use Roon DSP engine to swap left / right channels. Or if you upsample everything to DSD, then you can swap your DAC left / right connections to pre-amp.)

The Lumin U1 beta firmware only helps if (1) you are doing Lumin U1 USB output to Denafrips and (2) you have already upgraded the Denafrips Amanero firmware. For Lumin U1 -> Singxer -> Denafrips, the Lumin U1 beta firmware makes no difference.

 

[wklie]

I want to test DSD512 into the MSB ProUSB, so sign me up!

I think the official Lumin U1 firmware already support (at least one type of) MSB USB module - please test it. Please tell me whether DSD256 and DSD512 work or not. If this works there is no need for beta firmware.

Since there is no non-upsampled DSD512 recordings, please use Roon to upsample DSD256 and DSD512 for testing. The Roon DSP Engine setting Parallelize Sigma Delta Modulator needs to be enabled.