Network Player LUMIN U2 Silver

LUMIN U2 — network digital transport with linear power supply and optical networking for owners of external DACs

The LUMIN U2 is a network streaming transport designed for users who already own a high-quality external DAC and need nothing but a clean digital path. It plays files up to DSD512 (22.5 MHz) and PCM 768 kHz / 16–32 bits and offers optional up/down sampling to DSD256 or PCM 384 kHz for all formats. At its core is an all-new processor platform with greater computing power and larger memory capacity, expanding the scope for resampling, audio processing and future firmware updates.

In terms of construction, the U2 inherits solutions from the flagship P1. It is the first LUMIN transport with an all-metal all-in-one chassis made of thick CNC-machined aluminium panels, which increases mechanical rigidity and shielding compared with the U2 Mini. The surface finish comes from the P1 range — a silky process that is less prone to fingerprints. Power is supplied by an internal toroidal linear power supply with an ultra-low-noise rectifier and linear regulation, complemented by two-stage voltage regulation; the U2 is the brand's first transport with a built-in linear power supply.

The digital output stage features a dedicated low-noise "Direct-Coupled" USB port that natively transmits DSD512 and PCM 44.1–768 kHz. The remaining two of the three USB ports in total stay free for storage or accessories. The optical, coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC and AES/EBU outputs operate up to PCM 192 kHz / 24 bits and DSD 2.8 MHz via DoP. Timing is handled by four crystal oscillators with exceptionally low phase noise, reducing jitter and contributing to stable imaging of instruments and the legibility of low-level detail on the connected DAC.

The network section is implemented as a dual interface with a built-in network switch — a combination of RJ45 1000Base-T and an optical input in the SFP standard, which galvanically isolates the unit from digital network noise. Both ports can be used simultaneously, for example one to the router and the other to a NAS or LUMIN L1. Supported protocols include UPnP AV (OpenHome), Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, JPLAY and Audirvāna, including gapless playback. The feature set also includes lossless Leedh Processing volume control, which eliminates rounding errors, and an ongoing development programme with firmware updates.

Key features

• Playback: DSD512 and PCM 768 kHz, 16–32 bits
• USB output: Dedicated low-noise Direct-Coupled port
• Power supply: Internal toroidal linear supply with low-noise regulation
• Network: Dual RJ45 and optical SFP interface with a switch
• Chassis: CNC-machined aluminium all-in-one chassis
• Volume: Lossless Leedh Processing