Blake

Thanks, re-installing solved the problem. All is back to normal.

My Lumin app had been working fine, but today, I opened it and all I get is this blank white screen, with some album covers on the left hand side. Nothing else shows. No menu, no options, nothing but this screen. I've opened and closed it multiple times and rebooted, but no luck. I am using it on a Macbook M1 Pro. My Lumin App is version 8.3.0 (8.3.0.1). Any ideas?

Presumably, the U2 was simply made to fill a price point gap in the Lumin streamer model line up. Prior to U2, there was a huge jump in price point from U2 Mini to the U1/U1X. U2, like most audio components, was built to arrive at a certain msrp, here, to fill a gap between U2 Mini and U1. Certain concessions are made. They also dropped the U1X price in the USA over the last year from $9,200 to $7,500. Seems like Lumin is being fair to their customers.

I bought a U1X for my speaker system, and I'm very happy with it, in terms of sound quality and easy of use. I liked it so much I bought another U1X for my headphone system. So, I now have two of the U1X. The X1 PSU is a definite improvement over the former U1 stand alone PSU, and U1 was really darn good. X1 just takes it to another level. I couldn't say how Lumin U1X compares to other streamer brand offerings (other than I can say it is a big step up from the Sonore UltraRendu + Uptone LPS 1.2 I was using prior, which for the price is a great option). U1X is a bit older design, but according to Lumin, it is still the very top, highest performing dedicated Lumin streamer, even superior to the newer U2, so the design is time-tested.

I'm using a Holo Red in DDC mode and it provides an uptick in sound quality, to a roughly similar degree to my Denafrips Gaia DDC, at less than half the price of Gaia. Ultimately, Gaia is just a touch better. Of note, and to be fair, the Gaia also enables certain Denafrips DAC models to use the clock out feature of those DAC's, so that is part of the increase in price of the Gaia.

So in your comments above, saying you didn't like the sound of the "U1/mini" and saying you like the sound of the "U2/mini", what you are more accurately saying is, you compared the U1 mini to the U2, and you and your friend preferred the sound of the U2, right? Your subjective opinions are totally valid, by the way, just seeking clarity on the models you actually listened to in your system or your friend's system.

Lampizator Golden Gate 2: Price Reduced View Classified Lampizator Golden Gate 2 DAC for sale. Excellent condition. Has the current JL Sound USB module. Comes with a Lampizator flight case for safe shipping, original paper work and certificate of authenticity. This DAC was inspected and upgraded at the Lampizator HQ in Poland in July of 2022 and the warranty is extended through August 31, 2025. Will ship with Psvane 101d and KR Audio 5U4G tubes, each with less than 20 hours. I have lots of other tubes available at an additional cost and a package deal could be worked out: KR Audio 242, KR Audio PX25, Takatsuki 274b, Telefunken AZ1, Valvo G2004, Telefunken RGN2004, and more. Inputs are: USB, AES/EBU, Toslink and spdif. Asking $8,700 plus shipping. Will ship world wide, voltage can be adjusted. Currently set up for USA voltage. MSRP: $18,500. Update: The DAC is at the Lampizator factory in Poland, so the buyer can take advantage of Lampizator's free second hand service, at no extra cost to the buyer. Lampizator tests/inspects the DAC and ships it direct to the buyer, so buyer will know it is 100%. This also allows the buyer the opportunity to have Lampizator install any upgrades a buyer might want while the DAC is at the factory. Info is on the Lampizator Poland website, if you are unfamiliar with how the program works. It provides a buyer with a risk free transaction. https://www.lampizator.com/dacs/golden-gate-2 Seller Blake Date 08/26/23 Price 8,700.00 USD Category Digital to Analog Converters  

I also use Stealth Select-T usb, and Varidig Sextet-T with the tuning collar (and Stealth ethernet, interconnects and power cords). Great stuff.

Cool tweak and cheap as chips!

Vinnie Rossi Brama Integrated.

Interesting, I guess it is system dependent as I have two daisy chained SOTM switches before both of my U1X streamers in both of my systems and the sound is improved with the switches, rather than degraded. I wish it wasn't the case for me. But, with your report, users should experiment as they might be able to save some money.

In case it is helpful to anyone else... After updating to firmware 16.0, I experienced sound drop-outs every few minutes when using Apple Airplay (I had no issues when using the Lumin app). After updating to 16.0b, Airplay is working perfectly, no drop outs.

Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL vs. Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M: My system, preferences, yada yada... First off, I am using the recommended Corning Gold cable with the FTLF1318P3BTL. FTLF1318P3BTL is superior to the Finisar FCBG110SD1C05, and again I liked the latter, that is until I heard the Cisco and 1318P3BTL. Now, I couldn't go back. Comparatively, the 1318P3BTL doesn't have the same issues with veering too far toward a bright, lean and edgy sound. I also think the 1318P3BTL is more refined, more transparent, with a better sound stage. Easy win for the 1318P3BTL. Now for a comparison with the Cisco. The overall center of gravity is pulled more toward the mids and lower frequencies with the Cisco, whereas the FTLF1318P3BTL overall center of gravity is further up the frequency spectrum to mids/highs, if that makes sense. Cisco has a smoother, rounder, lusher, meatier sound, while still being detailed and transparent. Cisco sound staging is grander, much deeper, and set back further from the speaker plane as compared to FTLF1318P3BTL. Overall the Cisco has a very sophisticated, refined, luxurious sound, but not in a rolled off, old school warm and gooey sense. It still delivers the audiophile goods. FTLF1318P3BTL is more overtly detailed, and the overall sense of clarity/transparency is more noticeable, but it doesn't go over the top toward being too clinical, or too bright/glassy/edgy. It is more caffeinated and energetic than the Cisco. 1318P3BTL may appeal more to the brain, Cisco more toward the soul, using terminology from audio reviewers. In the end, both options are very, very good and I am so glad I decided to experiment. Otherwise I'd be missing out on the superior sound of the Cisco and 1318P3BTL, thinking the FCBG110SD1C05 was as good as it gets. This is one where you really need to try in your system as I could see this cutting either way. In the end, I am going with the Cisco as the daily driver, but also keeping the 1318P3BTL.

@wklie I am experiencing a new issue, that hasn't happened before, it just started today. I use my MacBook Pro to wirelessly connect to my U1X. I've never had any prior issues with my setup. While playing music through the Lumin player app, or via Apple Airplay, the sound will initially play just fine, but then it suddenly cuts out after about 5 minutes. The Lumin player app and the screen on my U1X still show the song time ticker still advancing, but there is no sound from my speakers. I click "pause" and the Lumin player app on my Mac and the screen on the U1X show it paused, I push play, and the Mac screen and U1X screen are in sync, showing the song tracker advancing, but there is no sound from my speakers. If I reboot my U1X, it connects fine, and it temporarily solves the problem and sound comes from my speakers. However, the sound stops after a few minutes, while the song time ticker continues to advance on both my Macbook and on the screen of my U1X. I rebooted my wifi extender, switches and U1X multiple times and the problem remains. Any ideas?

I finally had a chance to compare the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M directly to the Finisar FCBG110SD1C05. This could be system dependent, but the Cisco beat the Finisar. Comparatively, the Finisar is quite a bit brighter/thinner sounding. The Cisco is much more dense, solid, smooth and every bit as detailed and transparent. Cisco has a much higher realism factor. It really was no contest for me. It is surprising how different they sound. I have a Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL burning in now. It connected my two daisy-chained SOtM 10G switches without any hiccups.