Lumin D3 – Premium vinyl record cleaners

Lumin D3

The D3 is the entry level into the household of mixed streamers/DACs from Lumin. In phrases of sound high quality, the “baby” has set its sights on the higher league.

Anyone who isn’t simply searching for know-how and sound high quality within the streaming a part of their system, but in addition values good design, provenance and a sure model, will inevitably find yourself with Lumin. The digital specialist from Hong Kong tailors essentially the most elegant aluminum enclosures for its D/A converters and streamers. The flat housings with the clear arc on the entrance entrance and the central show slot are completely unmistakable and, as they’re milled from a stable block of aluminum, convey immense worth. A disgrace, then that Lumin has reduce the odd nook with it’s D3, the smallest of its three streamers/DACs. But it’s higher to save lots of on the housing than on the know-how. And even so, this entry-level Lumin has nonetheless come out fashionable.

The now light-weight and cuboid aluminum casing comprises a technical core that’s surprisingly much like that of the bigger fashions. A quick classification: The D3 is a part of a household of three. The different members bear the names T3 and X1 and worth tags of round twice and 5 occasions the 2590 euros that the D3 will set you again. There’s additionally the P1, which, positioned between the T3 and X1 when it comes to worth, stands out regardless of the similarities; analog inputs and HDMI interfaces make it a fully-fledged preamp. And it additionally has a digital enter (USB), however extra on this in a second.

The technology change from the predecessor D2 to the D3 additionally means a change of DAC sort. While the D2 nonetheless used Wolfson chips, the D3 incorporates a Sabre ES9028PRO from Californian specialist ESS. The similar DAC additionally does conversion responsibility within the bigger Lumin T3, albeit as a pair. The prime mannequin X1 is adorned with the “massive” ESS DAC ES9038PRO, additionally in a twin pack.

Looking beneath the lid, even the layman can see how Lumin has scaled up the idea. Just just like the T3 and X1, the D3 carries all analog and digital parts on a essential board that takes up three quarters of the housing (the fourth quarter is reserved for the switching energy provide). The audio sign path is totally balanced. A small additional board for streaming sits piggybacked on the mainboard. It is equivalent to the one within the T3, which is twice as costly. The new improvement with extra computing energy is meant to make the streamer match for demanding software program updates and new capabilities.

On the entrance of the D3, the identical slim show shines its teal gentle into the listening room as on all different Lumin streamers. In addition to details about the present observe, a round phase exhibits the remaining taking part in time. I’ll miss this intelligent function when my fully displayless Innuos takes over streaming once more. There is, nonetheless, one small design flaw.

The lid of the D3 protrudes past the connection panel, successfully concealing the tangle of wires behind it. That’s a great factor! On the X1, which I had the pleasure of utilizing in 2020, a intelligent developer rotated the balanced XLR connections by 180 levels in order that the locking mechanism, which is often on the prime, was going through downwards, making it accessible for grownup arms. However, this was not attainable with the D3 as a result of format of the circuit board. Let me put it this manner: Obsessive cable comparers can have extra enjoyable with their pastime utilizing the RCA connections.

The D3 provides neither WiFi nor Bluetooth and have to be built-in into the community by cable. For non-compulsory exterior conversion, the digital music sign is offered through BNC socket, the D3 then acts purely as a bridge. Anyone anticipating that there ought to consequently even be a digital enter to provide, say, a CD participant entry to the tremendous DAC, might be dissatisfied. The two USB-A sockets can solely used to attach storage media.

It streams, it converts – and it might probably drive an influence amplifier immediately. The analog output sign of the D3 might be attenuated, and never simply by any means, however digitally with the assistance of “Leedh Processing” algorithms. The know-how behind that is based mostly on the work of Swiss builders who determined to get rid of the inevitable lack of data from digital quantity management. Judging by the illustrious high-end manufacturers which have carried out Leedh Processing of their gadgets, a few of that are priced within the five-digit vary, the aim has been achieved. The quantity can’t be adjusted on the system. However, this wasn’t an issue for us, as we managed the streamer through the wonderful Lumin app anyway. If desired, the producer additionally provides an non-compulsory IR distant management.

The producer have to be praised unreservedly for the app: it’s clearly laid out, runs steady and performs a big half within the wonderful longevity of the streamers. It additionally provides you entry to an actual spotlight: the various resampling choices. Why resampling and never upsampling? Because the Lumin can do each. Upsampling for a sonically advantageous provide of HD converters is extensively recognized. Downsampling high-resolution materials might be helpful for compatibility with older DACs. Either manner, this can be a playground the place you’ll be able to work out the optimum parameters to your favourite music to your coronary heart’s content material. The app natively helps all main streaming providers, together with the brand new HD suppliers. The software program developer accountable, Peter Lie, is energetic on quite a few boards, diligently solutions questions and accepts ideas from the consumer group. As a long-time Roon consumer, I’ve operated the D3 through this interface, which I like higher than the playlist-based Lumin app. Until just lately, this might have been purely a matter of style. But with Generation 3, Lumin launched a small plus level for Roon customers: “Roon Exclusive Mode” (which it’s a must to activate through the app) disables pointless system providers whereas on the similar time bettering sound efficiency.

The D3 is a streamer/DAC, which is how I built-in it into my system. My Silvercore Pre took over the preamplification as a result of I don’t like software program controls. The wiring was balanced. The Qobuz entry information was entered very quickly in any respect, the contact to the Roon-Core Innuos Zenith Mk III was established – and off we went!

The little Lumin has energy. Its sound is straight away partaking, it’s rhythmically on level, wealthy in coloration, contoured and has substance. Where the spontaneous response of different digital gamers was to conjure up “respiratory” rooms or holographically traced levels, the small Lumin’s bodily, dense presentation is charming and enjoyable from the very first be aware. This doesn’t imply that it lacks environment or decision – it simply doesn’t deal with both. The D3 might actually be stated to have a very nice, holistic method to the treble.

In a direct comparability with my Aqua La Voce S3 D/A converter, the Lumin wins with exactly this punch. This is definitely a fairly large deal. After all, with the Italian DAC, we’re coping with an elaborately constructed R2R converter, provided by two linear energy provides based mostly on toroidal transformers, whereas the Lumin is related to a switching energy provide. Well, after intensive listening, the Aqua can win again its floor with its very personal magnificence and openness. But the D3 stays the extra enjoyable machine. I think that the sonic efficiency is principally right down to the brand new ESS converter. And certainly, nothing modifications within the variations in character between the 2 gadgets when the Aqua is related on to the Lumin through the best BNC cable. This makes the absence of a digital enter on the D3 all of the extra painful.

In one other system, the Lumin is given the chance to show itself as an improve for bold audiophiles. Here it’s accompanied by an Innuos Zen Mini, with a Naim DAC-V1 from 2013 performing because the converter. After ten minutes of warm-up time, the result’s clear. Once once more, it’s the colours, the depth and the strain with which the Lumin exhibits the attractive however growing older Naim what’s what lately. However, the proprietor of the latter wouldn’t need to view the extra laid-back sound of his beloved converter as goal sonic inferiority. Which may lead us to an thrilling facet matter: Sound signatures of DAC chips and the query of whether or not there might be one converter for everybody or whether or not it’s a must to select a method in any case. My cash is on the latter.

With its streamer, DAC and lossless quantity management, Lumin’s D3 combines three parts on the highest stage in its inconspicuous housing. Purists join a pair of energetic audio system and get a system that may give heavyweights a run for his or her cash. Sensible John Does take the chance to scale back their variety of gadgets and change the converter and streamer with a mixed element that’s unlikely to be bested by separates within the foreseeable future, even for a hefty surcharge. The newest model of Lumin’s entry-level vary is a banger!

Accompanying Equipment

Network participant Lumin D3

Concept: totally balanced streamer and D/A converter with digital quantity management | Inputs: Ethernet RJ45, 2 x USB A (for mass storage) | Digital outputs: S/PDIF (BNC) | Analog outputs: XLR balanced, RCA unbalanced | Finishes: Black, silver | Accessories: IR Remote Kit (non-compulsory, round € 299) | Dimensions (W/H/D): 30/6/25 cm | Weight: 2.5 kg | Warranty interval: 3 years | Price: round € 2590

IAD

Johann-Georg-Halske-Straße 11
41352 Korschenbroich
Phone +49 2161 617830

www.lumin-deutschland.de

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May 13, 2024 at 12:46PM