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Lumin upgrade

Hello:

I’m thinking about upgrading my Lumin U2 mini to the new Lumin U2, and would like your feedback.

My current front end is comprised of the Lumin U2 mini, powered by an SBooster LPS. It’s fed Qobuz via Ethernet from an optical cable coming from a Cisco switch, (converted to copper Ethernet just before the mini, using a cheap converter box with a Jameson LPS wall wart and a short Furutech CAT6 cable).

I’m using an Audioquest Coffee USB cable to feed a Benchmark DAC3 HGC, which runs balanced into a Benchmark AHB2 amplifier. The AHB2 draws current from a separate 20A power line, and uses Kimber cable speaker cables to drive a set of ATC SCM40s.

My listening space is about 16’ wide, with a 35’ length, and has basic treatments at first reflection points, on the ceiling above the listening position, as well as corner bass traps. I listen to pop, mid-later century rock, vocal and combo jazz, and some folky stuff too, usually at moderate (70-75 dB) levels.

My question is, will the upgrade to the Lumin U2 provide a substantial improvement to the sound (soundstage, smoothness, depth, etc), and, is my system resolving enough that I’ll be able to hear it? I do have mild tinnitus in my left ear, with commensurate HF loss, but most days my hearing is still quite reliable.

I was considering an Aurender as my next upgrade, but then saw the new U2 (with excellent price/trade-in for my U2 mini from a local dealer), so thus the questions.

Thanks to all in advance for any advice/opinions.

JAMES

jimboman
efoo
103 posts
 

Hi I have a U2 as well and love it.  If you want to try the fiber optic input you can get a media converter ethernet to optical (Lumin recommends Trendnet).  As long as you are currently hard wired to your U2, you take the ethernet cable that is plugged into your U2 and plug it into the media converter then run a short 2-3 ft run of optical into the U2.  The media converter is around $125 plus you need an optical 2 SPF sleeves and an LC Cable another $75.  It is a great way to go.

There is information on the Lumin website under support (Fibre Networking).  In there example they show a switch that has a SPF slot.  In my example you don't mess with your current switch you just add the media converter to the end of your current Cat 5 run.  If you need a new switch anyway and don't mind running a new cable to your U2 then that would be ok too.

Hope this is not too confusing !

 

thingswelike
23 posts
 

Just a note to say that the hardware featured on the https://luminmusic.com/support-fibre.html page is not necessarily recommended or tested from a sound quality point of view, just a good baseline of proven inexpensive compatible components.
Whether there are sound quality differences between these and other devices is left for dealers to advise or users to discuss. In much the same way as interconnects and power cables are.

swblank
1 posts
 

My two cents:  Power conditioning was the very last thing I tackled on my system.  In hindsight, it should have been the first thing.  YMMV

ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,781 posts
 

There seems to be some "talk" about Lumin having financial problems on other forums. Something about the USA distributer.

I am on the fence now wondering what is going on.

ozzy

thingswelike
23 posts
 

There's certainly nothing to worry about regarding LUMIN/Pixel Magic Systems and therefore future product development, warranty, etc.
I'd be very surprised if there was any truth to the other rumors either. If you point me to a forum thread, I'll see if I can forward it to the US distributor for comment.

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