Lumin U1 Mini

tonyb

Good points, but different applications. There is also data collecting going on, so I can see where they don't want older versions that may not support the data collecting running on newer gear.

Not a big deal for me, but it becomes one when sound quality or functionality are affected. That's my main gripe with updates.

On another note....

Now that we have multiple higher end streamers out on the market for some time now, I've heard the differences as has many others. The tired old theory of 1's and 0's being the same has finally been put to rest.

Back on topic...

The Lumin mini,

I'd be very interested to hear about experiences with this unit. The standard Lumin I've heard tell can be a bit sterile sounding, any truth to that ?

For me anyway, the crux of the matter with streamers is to find one that's more musical, rather than a detail retrieving champ. Has a good app too or separate controller.

Mikey081057

So the U1 Mini will probably sound different depending on the dac and everything else it is paired with downstream.

In my rig i have:

U1 Mini via dig coax to spdif of Brooklyn DAC+ balanced out to a Parasound P5 to a Parasound A21 to a pair of Usher mini dancer X dmd's and a SVS SB4000 sub.

Very musical and very quiet. Too me the sound stage is deeper... which is an attribute of the Ushers but is enhanced by the U1 Mini.

Detail is nice but not overly analytic... not distracting. Vocals feel more organic. Instruments like the sax and acoustic instruments sound more dynamic. A saxophone can naturally be very dynamic.... and they sound more real now.

I have always had an illusion that somehow my center channel was playing in this rig and early on had actually got up to check and see that it wasn't. I hear a drummer in the back... vocals in front and instruments placed left and right of them. The 2 channels in this rig produce a deep and mesmerizing sound stage that makes me not miss my cd/sacd. Now I haven't interconnected my UDP 203 in yet but that will be interesting to compare.

Mikey081057

Mike Reeter

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Your Ushers on the matching stands look awesome, I'd like to try a pair in my setup one day. Of course, the rest of your Stereo looks great as well!

tonyb

Skip, were you using the Lumin at Lonestar last year ?

erniejade

About a year ago, my Lumin D1 had a strange issue with one of the updates. On computer audiophile ( they changed their name recently) I got a hold of Wilkie and he walked me through putting the old firmware via a usb stick back onto the D1 until the newer firmware was fixed. Wilkie is usually quick to respond to questions or issues on this lumin thread in https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/14016-lumin-audiophile-network-music-player/page/72/

I do not find the D1 sterile at all. I have tried it against the KEF internal dac, LH Labs VI dac and I prefer the D1. The D1 had more bloom to it, wider soundstage, more solid bass vs the kef's built in wifi dac and the VI.

I have not heard the lumin U1 but, I believe it is a wired streamer only correct? Or did they add wireless to the U1?

Mikey081057

wired only correct.

Mikey081057

Been experimenting with the Lumin App...

It seems to me unless someone can tell me other wise that the Lumin App does not show what's playing if it was launched from roon and vice versa. BluOS did do that.

The app is ok,,, I prefer roon as it is second nature to me at this point.

erniejade

I don't think the the lumin app can tell you what's playing if launched from roon. Although i haven't used roon so there might be an answer to this.

If your not on computer audiophile, join up and post in that thread i put above. Wilkie is actually one of Lumin's engineers.

mark090852

erniejade wrote: »

I don't think the the lumin app can tell you what's playing if launched from roon. Although i haven't used roon so there might be an answer to this.

If your not on computer audiophile, join up and post in that thread i put above. Wilkie is actually one of Lumin's engineers.

He is also on the Audioshark Forum, and has been very responsive to LUMIN questions posted there.

erniejade

Agreed @mark090852. On either forum, he has been very helpful from MiniMserver on down to how to type stuff.

Mikey081057

I have seen and read him on Audioshark.

I posted on Audiophile Style....

GlennDog

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Very musical and very quiet. To me the sound stage is deeper... which is an attribute of the Ushers but is enhanced by the U1 Mini.

Detail is nice but not overly analytic... not distracting. Vocals feel more organic. Instruments like the sax and acoustic instruments sound more dynamic. A saxophone can naturally be very dynamic.... and they sound more real now.

Now I haven't interconnected my UDP 203 in yet but that will be interesting to compare.

Mikey, you just about sold me at ^^^ that ^^^ description

Can we/I get an update on the mini?

Did you try it with OPPO?
What type and make of cable are you using Out of mini to your DAC+

I’m an iOS guy and was toying with the G1, deeper digging has me leaning toward the Mini

Any pros/cons come to mind? I’m thinking of dipping my toe in . . . Thanks, man!

GlennDog

DSkip wrote: »

It sounds like this avenue would finally put that Platinum Starlight to good use!

Sold it to Verb for a cool hundie . . . NOT!

Thanks for the input, Skip
Yeah, kinda excited whichever direction I go in

Mikey081057

So the Lumin U1 Mini has performed flawlessly. I have it connected to my Brooklyn DAC+ with a Wireworld Micro-Silver Eclipse 8 AES/EBU cable. The DAC feeds in analog to my PSAudio Stellar Gain DAC/PRE.

I use the Oppo as a SACD player into the PSAudio SGD. I modded the OPPO 203 with an I2S interface upgrade...

Net results are very satisfying...very quiet with a deep/wide soundstage that was a nice upgrade over my previous trials of computer and streamer setups.

I don't use the Lumin app as I use ROON and I am very pleased with the flexibility of the app and ease of use.

GlennDog

Mikey . . . Thank you, Sir!

Mikey081057

Go for it!!

GlennDog

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Go for it!!

Skip musta broke his dial'n finger

WOW, just dated the sizzle out me!

jdjohn

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Or maybe an Alexandra that just says idiotic drivel

Mikey081057 wrote: »

So the Lumin U1 Mini has performed flawlessly. I have it connected to my Brooklyn DAC+ with a Wireworld Micro-Silver Eclipse 8 AES/EBU cable. The DAC feeds in analog to my PSAudio Stellar Gain DAC/PRE.

I use the Oppo as a SACD player into the PSAudio SGD. I modded the OPPO 203 with an I2S interface upgrade...

Net results are very satisfying...very quiet with a deep/wide soundstage that was a nice upgrade over my previous trials of computer and streamer setups.

I don't use the Lumin app as I use ROON and I am very pleased with the flexibility of the app and ease of use.

Mikey, have you tried the Lumin U1 Mini directly into the PSA SGC DAC/pre...letting the PSA do the conversion? Asking for a friend

Mikey081057

I have not... I really have the Brooklyn DAC+ dialed in... I do think it would be good but wouldn't expect that the PSA DAC would deliver any better SQ but it would still be good. The Brooklyn DAC+ also serves as my phono pre and it does a surprisingly good job of that too.

If you are in the area and want to do an A/B test I will supply the beverages

🍻 🍹 🍷 🍸 🍹

jdjohn

Thanks for the offer! Sadly, I think the distance is too great...I'm in Nashville.

CottageChz

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Damn man, just wanted to say, that is a helluva system! Tons of awesome gear and a really clean looking setup. Was just searching for feedback on Lumin products on here and happened to come across this pic. Good feedback on the U1 on this thread too, and Roon vs Lumin app...

WagnerRC

Very clean looking set up. Congrats

tonyb

I duuno Mickey, love the system but one thing sticks out as falling short.....that screen is too small bro.

Mikey081057

Dude that's just the screen in that room...Basically used as a computer monitor. The HT has a 75" LOL