Lumin D1 Streamer/DAC - Industry Leaders in Streaming Tech

The world of Hi-Res streaming has descended upon us and without warning it has turned CD playback, lossy MP3 files and computer music on its ear. It's now a whole easier to enjoy quality recordings streamed through one or all of the available lossless platforms. Which brings us to Lumin Music's diminutive D1 digital server. At roughly 3/5s the width and depth of standard audio components, and tipping the scales at a svelte 4½ pounds (not including the supplied wall-wart power supply), the D1 is nevertheless extremely attractive and well-built. Eschewing the costly CNC machined, aircraft-grade aluminum case-work seen in the upper-tier S1, A1 (both with internal DACs) and U1 (essentially the A1 sans internal DACs) models, the D1's folded aluminum chassis, thick aluminum faceplate, and robust build quality nevertheless exude elegance and inspire pride of ownership. Like the S1 and A1 models, the D1 features a high-quality on-board DAC, here Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips, one chip per channel, coupled to a fully balanced layout (with high-quality components) and digital and analog outs.

To bring the D1 in at its target price point of $2000, Lumin wisely nixed the costly CNC machined, solid aluminum case-work of the pricier models, their dual circuit board architecture, their dedicated internal shielding partitions, their multi-tiered output options (including HDMI), their beefy toroidal-based outboard power supplies, and their multiple internal DAC arrangements run in dual differential mode. But the D1's basic software and circuit design are the same as those employed in the reference models. Similarly, the D1 offers a multitude of playback options. These include the effortless playback of DSD and PCM files, as well as mainstream formats like FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, AIFF, AAC (in M4A container), MP3, and internet radio streams. Tidal, TuneIn, Qobuz are integrated directly into the Lumin app. Other Internet music apps may be streamed through Lumin streaming which activates Airplay compatibility.

The D1 supports sample rates of 44.1kHz to 384kHz for PCM files (at 16- and 32-bit resolution, stereo replay only), and a 2.8MHz sampling rate (at 1-bit) for stereo replay of DSD files. Digital inputs feature an Ethernet-enabled 100Base-T input, as well as USB storage, and flash drive inputs. The attached USB external hard drive storage unit must utilize a single-partition FAT32, NTFS, or EXT2/3 file system architecture. One has a choice of XLR and RCA analog outputs as well as a very high quality BNC and S/PDIF digital output jacks that supports both PCM 44.1kHz-192kHz and 16- and 24-bit DSD (DoP) at 2.8MHz, again at 1-bit.

Like many audiophiles still committed to traditional two-channel audio playback (meaning playback via elaborate turntable/tonearm/cartridge setups with high-quality outboard phono stages, or pricey reel-to-reel tape playback systems), we never thought the day would come when we either could or would declare unequivocally that in many important respects, digital playback now rivals its analog counterpart. For us, that day has come! Lumin's diminutive D1 Network Music Player sets the mark to rethink what digital audio can do, and what music lovers should expect from the medium (and at a price point that many music lovers can actually afford). Complete with original box, packaging and start-up manual.

Come have a listen here at the Andover shop.

Lumin D1 Streamer/DAC: $1,399.00 plus shipping and sales tax when applicable