PC's Lumin U2 Review published in Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity

I just installed a Lumin U2 in my audio system this afternoon. A while ago, I had a T2; I sold it because I was dissatisfied with what I believed to be the sound quality of streaming. To replace that T2, I purchased a Bricasti M21 DAC (with an internal renderer that worked flawlessly with Roon). Unfortunately, I remained unhappy; CDs of albums simply sounded "better" than streaming them from Qobuz or Tidal. I then tried some music streamers and integrated streamer/DACs of friends. They were either sounded about the same as my renderer or were not sufficiently more satisfying to warrant adoption of any of them.

Also, I did not want to spend $12,000 to $20,000 on a streamer, although I admit I was thinking of the higher-end Aurenders and Inuouses. Fortunately, I also started to think about the U2 as a reasonable next step.

What a glorious surprise is the U2! My search is over. The review that Puma Cat cited above is right-on. The U2 breezed through every track I was using to evaluate streamer capabilities. It is superb in every regard. As I told a friend this evening, "I just didn't know how good streaming could be".
 
AVphile said:
I just installed a Lumin U2 in my audio system this afternoon. A while ago, I had a T2; I sold it because I was dissatisfied with what I believed to be the sound quality of streaming. To replace that T2, I purchased a Bricasti M21 DAC (with an internal renderer that worked flawlessly with Roon). Unfortunately, I remained unhappy; CDs of albums simply sounded "better" than streaming them from Qobuz or Tidal. I then tried some music streamers and integrated streamer/DACs of friends. They were either sounded about the same as my renderer or were not sufficiently more satisfying to warrant adoption of any of them.

Also, I did not want to spend $12,000 to $20,000 on a streamer, although I admit I was thinking of the higher-end Aurenders and Inuouses. Fortunately, I also started to think about the U2 as a reasonable next step.

What a glorious surprise is the U2! My search is over. The review that Puma Cat cited above is right-on. The U2 breezed through every track I was using to evaluate streamer capabilities. It is superb in every regard. As I told a friend this evening, "I just didn't know how good streaming could be".
Click to expand...
Congratulations! Very happy to hear that and happy for you, as well.

Yes, the Lumin U2 is, indeed, quite impressive. Do you have an upstream "server" computer with ripped music files to send to the U2, or are you using it solely with content from the various streaming services, e.g. Qobuz, Tidal, etc?

Also, if you're connecting to your DAC via a USB interface, be sure to use the new direct-coupled USB-A output. Also, you'll find making a connection with a ground cable from the U2's chassis ground terminal on the back panel to your Shunyata Denali 6000/S power distributor's GP-NR ground terminal will also reduce noise, and improve it's audio qualities. It's not subtle. Even an "entry-level' Shunyata ground cable, e.g. a legacy model, e.g. Venom, Delta, or better yet, the new Gamma CGC/SGC ground cables, etc. will provide a notable improvement.

Cheers and enjoy.
 
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