New Lumin Network Music Player Specs

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I spent almost an hour with the good folks from Lumin, Li On and Nelson Choi. We did a lot of listening (because damn, it sounded so good!) and we went over the new network music players in detail. They said many folks were asking for double DSD, why, is beyond me. So, they responded to the market demands and built the S1. There are so few DSDx2 titles (I mean, maybe 6?) Yes, yes, yes, it sounds terrific, but what's the point? DSD is having some hiccups getting started, double DSD is way way way way down the pipe.

That being said - here is my personal take on things. The Lumin A1 is the player to get over the S1 - for now. Why? The A1 is the original (the one I have) and uses the terrifically musical Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips. The new S1, which does handle double-DSD (DSD 5.6mhz) uses the ESS SABRE 9018 Chip. I've personally never been a huge fan of SABRE DAC chips.....but others love them....so YMMV.

Lastly, the A1 WILL be upgradeable to the S1 should Double DSD take off or users decide to go that route for whatever reason.

I have not heard the S1, so it very well might be a home run and worth the upgrade (no numbers were officially discussed, but you can assume a couple of thousand dollars more than the A1 at least).

The T1 will be a great entry into the Lumin system, handling high res PCM and DSD with the same great Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips and the LUNDAHL LL7401 output transformers. It's also a nice neat single box solution for those concerned with rack space. That being said, the A1/S1 and their external power supplies don't really take up that much space.

They also showed their little Music Library Server - built for those who don't want the fuss and muss of a NAS.

I must say, I remain very impressed by what this little company is doing. First and foremost they are crazy, nutty audiophiles like the rest of us. I had a great time sitting there looking at photos of their systems and their friends systems. I really enjoyed the photos of customers with competing products doing shootouts and all of them going with the Lumin (we are talking heavy weights like DCS).

They handed me the ipad and I also got to go through their own personal music collection....I swear, it was like looking at my own!
 
Mike said:
I spent almost an hour with the good folks from Lumin, Li On and Nelson Choi. We did a lot of listening (because damn, it sounded so good!) and we went over the new network music players in detail. They said many folks were asking for double DSD, why, is beyond me. So, they responded to the market demands and built the S1. There are so few DSDx2 titles (I mean, maybe 6?) Yes, yes, yes, it sounds terrific, but what's the point? DSD is having some hiccups getting started, double DSD is way way way way down the pipe.

That being said - here is my personal take on things. The Lumin A1 is the player to get over the S1 - for now. Why? The A1 is the original (the one I have) and uses the terrifically musical Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips. The new S1, which does handle double-DSD (DSD 5.6mhz) uses the ESS SABRE 9018 Chip. I've personally never been a huge fan of SABRE DAC chips.....but others love them....so YMMV.

Lastly, the A1 WILL be upgradeable to the S1 should Double DSD take off or users decide to go that route for whatever reason.

I have not heard the S1, so it very well might be a home run and worth the upgrade (no numbers were officially discussed, but you can assume a couple of thousand dollars more than the A1 at least).

The T1 will be a great entry into the Lumin system, handling high res PCM and DSD with the same great Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips and the LUNDAHL LL7401 output transformers. It's also a nice neat single box solution for those concerned with rack space. That being said, the A1/S1 and their external power supplies don't really take up that much space.

They also showed their little Music Library Server - built for those who don't want the fuss and muss of a NAS.

I must say, I remain very impressed by what this little company is doing. First and foremost they are crazy, nutty audiophiles like the rest of us. I had a great time sitting there looking at photos of their systems and their friends systems. I really enjoyed the photos of customers with competing products doing shootouts and all of them going with the Lumin (we are talking heavy weights like DCS).

They handed me the ipad and I also got to go through their own personal music collection....I swear, it was like looking at my own!
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Thanks for the information and great coverage on CES 2014!! For me the DSDX2 issue was more about the prospect of upgradeability . I was hoping it was a simple firmware update.
 
the professor said:
That's great mike.

I love the upgradability. We will see. A lot of companies promise but don't cone through.
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Talk to Li and Nelson and see what you think.


One side note: you gain a whole new appreciation for these manufacturers/vendors when you see how tired, yet still very committed they are. The time change from parts around the world, coupled with travel and show requirements gives you a whole new appreciation for the fine folks in our hobby.
 
I read somewhere that it was limited by the W8741. I am not bordered. It will probably be at least 3 - 5 years before DSDx2 accumulate enough software for consideration. In any case it will be interesting to compare the S1 with the original Lumin sonically on PCM and 64DSD.
 
Mike said:
I spent almost an hour with the good folks from Lumin, Li On and Nelson Choi. We did a lot of listening (because damn, it sounded so good!) and we went over the new network music players in detail. They said many folks were asking for double DSD, why, is beyond me. So, they responded to the market demands and built the S1. There are so few DSDx2 titles (I mean, maybe 6?) Yes, yes, yes, it sounds terrific, but what's the point? DSD is having some hiccups getting started, double DSD is way way way way down the pipe.

I must say, I remain very impressed by what this little company is doing. First and foremost they are crazy, nutty audiophiles like the rest of us. I had a great time sitting there looking at photos of their systems and their friends systems. I really enjoyed the photos of customers with competing products doing shootouts and all of them going with the Lumin (we are talking heavy weights like DCS).

They handed me the ipad and I also got to go through their own personal music collection....I swear, it was like looking at my own!
Click to expand...

Some of us have 13 DSD2x albums and counting Mike. LoL

The fun you are having should be illegal!!!!
 
CharlesL said:
I read somewhere that it was limited by the W8741. I am not bordered. It will probably be at least 3 - 5 years before DSDx2 accumulate enough software for consideration. In any case it will be interesting to compare the S1 with the original Lumin sonically on PCM and 64DSD.
Click to expand...

But DSD2x is soooooo gooood! LoL
 
So much for the Lampi DAC - they only brought redbook rips. No high res. No DSD and no double DSD.
 
How many AS members owns Lumin already? Are you all happy? I'm thinking of getting one but don't understand how it works yet.

I Need encouragement I thinks.
 
I absolutely love mine! It has the best sound of any dac or cd player that I've owned or heard.

Rtan said:
How many AS members owns Lumin already? Are you all happy? I'm thinking of getting one but don't understand how it works yet.

I Need encouragement I thinks.
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