Lumin X1 Streaming DAC Review w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

upscaleaudio.c...
Find out why Kevin has two of the flagship Lumin X1 streaming digital sources in his home. Lumin is obsessed with dropping the noise-floor in digital circuits, and offers high-quality output transformer-based analog stages. From the U1 MINI streamer to the U1 and X1 at the top of the range, Lumin is an Upscale Audio bestseller.

[@dwightballard3868]

Have a U1 now- Does make my system much better. The dude is telling the truth.

[@labalo5]

The U1 is one serious piece of SQ equipment. Went from a U1 mini to U1. Huge upgrade

[@David12005]

I have the Lumin T2 matched with the Denafrips Terminator. That duo provides superb sound.

[@iamthewizard2]

Doesn't a T2 already have a dac? So are you just using the T2 as a streamer only and sending digital to the Terminator as an external dac?

[@briancampbell7712]

@@iamthewizard2 thats why I got the Lumin mini and added an external power supply...because i'm using the Formula DAC so don't need to pay more for a Lumin with a DAC...if you already have a really good DAC

[@hushpuppykl]

The U1 Mini sounds great, I love it. The T2 is super good. Word has it that there will be an S2 which has digital inputs. 😈 I’ve heard the Auralic units. It’s all wifi and they sound very good.

[@geraldschrader8511]

Kevin I believe that you are incorrect about Leedh processing being incompatible with Roon. I was able to use Roon to control my Lumin U1 Mini and have the Leedh volume control enabled. The signal path display clearly shows that the volume control is happening in the U1 Mini and not in the Roon core (I have a Nucleus Roon core).

[@violin-schwerin]

have the d2, wonderful device!

[@1crenshaw488]

Well Spoken KevinLove my X1

[@ousi00]

I thought Lumin was from Hong Kong?

[@racesla]

Frank Zappa - Dinah-Moe Humm.

[@andik777Arme]

Love my X1

[@hushpuppykl]

I envy you! 😬

[@andik777Arme]

@@hushpuppykl :)

[@GGray-gg4yn]

SKIP.TO 8 MINS. to miss the crazies.

[@labalo5]

Jeez, i just bought a U1!

[@MrCatalysis101]

I commend your choice of Gino Vanelli’s Powerful People. I still play the Mofi of that album on my system all the time.

[@vinylrules4838]

Agreed. Great lp. I have the Mo-Fi as well.

[@briancampbell7712]

do you think this can beat a Aqua linQ streamer ...matched with a Aqua Formula DAC...made in Milan Italy🧨🎉🎶

[@ricmech9128]

Keith Sweat man! Still works to this day! lol

[@aussie8114]

Can’t go past a Barry White mix tape for some sweet lovin ❣️

[@mmdusa]

Mmmmmm, Lumin...drool. Maybe one day. If I'm a good boy.

[@jonnywishbone1342]

The LeedH processing volume control in use with my X1 was just ok.... but in A/B listening session I find that my dual mono preamp feeding a pair of pure class A monoblocks is superior in sound quality....

[@bellger]

Does this mean you used the X1 connected XLR or RCA direct to the amp (no preamp) when expementing with the LeedH processing volume control?

[@jonnywishbone1342]

@@bellger I connected the X1 direct to my power amps, used the DAC and Leed to control the output, no dedicated pre amp was used for my testing...I just found a quality pre amp is superior in sound...

[@bellger]

Thanks for sharing this info. I was wondering if this would sound better with a preamp instead of being directly connected to the amplifier. Is it a big or so/so improvement in your opinion? Also what preamp are you using?

[@jonnywishbone1342]

@@bellger I found a fairly large improvement, more dynamic and increased depth...audible difference for sure...my setup includes a pair of Plinius reference A-150 monoblock power amps and the Plinius reference M-10 pre amp driving a pair of Legacy Aeris floor standing speakers..

[@bellger]

@@jonnywishbone1342 What a great system you have. I’d love to hear it. Are you using fiber on your X1? I also wondered if adding the preamp would degrade or enhance the sound quality- since it is adding another component plus cables to the signal path. I guess you answered it. Sounds like I’m going to have to take the plunge$.

[@PBlaik]

Have you tried "ROONONLY" mode on your Lumin streamer?

[@albertleung3690]

500 hrs break in, what about NOS Telefunken 6922 how long a break in is required?

[@j.craigh.3480]

Lol! It was “Tonight’s the Night”

[@khaledzurikat7190]

Hi, can you please tell me what’s the audio rack in the back? it looks neat! Cheers

[@khaledzurikat7190]

Hi Kevin, can the U1 mini convert MQA to PCM or DSD since my DAC doesn’t do MQA?

[@danielquintanal9760]

Hola Kevin. Un placer saludarle. Podría recomendarme los que para usted son los mejores tubos El34 para mi amplificador Hi-Fi?. Muchas gracias

[@dennismiller5725]

Only 2K more than my first house.

[@gizzy2403]

Bryan Adams- 'Everything I do ' was my wedding song, but anything by him sets good vibes & isn't too corny

[@geoluttig1572]

Flight of the Conchords - “Carol Brown (Stick Around)”

[@dannyt2885]

Still listen to Gino Vannelli.

[@mostirreverent]

Santana

[@garygrice921]

Anyone have a clue for the new streaming companies that Lumin will integrate soon? (According to this video)

[@thingswelike]

Spotify Hi-Fi is being worked on according to the audiophilestyle forum.

[@craych]

Lumin already does Spotify Connect which is super slick way to connect because you can use the Spotify interface which is better than the Lumin interface for accessing your Spotify content . When they add hi res then it's so long to Tidal. (I have a T2 and a U1 mini. Love em!)

[@garygrice921]

@@craych goodbye tidal for me too

[@stevearnold3175]

Have you got something in your eye, Kevin?

[@LeoRousseau]

Say what? No Kat? 💔😢 Just kidding, but she is cute and all. I'd love to be able to afford the Lumin but unfortunately I can't. Love the videos Kevin!

[@wbwatts43]

Definitely Rod Stewart back in the day.

[@neilaltschuler6064]

Your scaring my hamster.lol

[@1dafirst]

Hi Kevin, love your videos and passion you show towards your presentations. Can you donate one of your unused gear to me? 😀

[@donpayne1040]

show.me.the.power.supply...

[@jonuiuc]

so much bare aluminum. lewd.

[@zjz3013]

"Touch" by John Klemmer.

[@jctai100]

Hey, no more expensive than DCS, T+A, MSB and all them lol

[@paganrythyms]

Enigma 🤣🤣🤣

[@dandinhofer9240]

The minute the phrase "price point" is brought in, any semblance of fiscal responsibility goes out the window.

[@divadgnol67]

Bryan Adams The Summer of '69 was my go-to song. I never got past first base and in retrospect I see why. Or maybe it was my giant red afro, lol

[@PCM-mc5xy]

Michael Hedges

[@superrambo9466]

Back in the day, I used to use Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands." Long song, great for extended make-out sessions, horizontal smoochie smooch, etc., but TOTALLY LAME by today's standards.

[@crossocean5663]

Copy paste Linn. 😂

[@marlonhouston6685]

Man them are some great choices of music, well except for the B52's. 🤮😄

[@christinearmington]

Frank Sinatra

[@gernerchristensen8114]

Looks like Biden. Speaks like him.

[@Burevestnik9M730]

At the end of the day it is a chip. At least Mola Mola Tambaqui does not use off the shelf chip and it costs less. This should had never ever be more than $8000 msrp. Not only they damaged themselves with this ridiculous pricing but they caused true designers like dCS Bartok to increase their pricing for the reason of in-house development (this too is unjustified, but that's another subject). Buyer beware.

[@dontcare563]

The Tambaqui is a DAC, this product is a streamer ONLY! What does any of this have to do with this video?