LUMIN New U2X Flagship Network Streamer – First Look
All Image Credit: Lumin
LUMIN has announced the launch of the U2X, its latest flagship and most advanced network transport to date. This latest design blends the flagship technologies from the X1 and U1X platforms. The LUMIN U2X is a completely new flagship streaming transport designed to be the “ultimate in digital output”. It will be available in both black and raw anodized aluminum together with its separate external power supply.
Both the main chassis and external power supply are CNC machined from a solid billet of aluminum minimizing any chances of interference from noise or vibration. Central to the U2X performance is an all-new, high-speed System-on-Chip (SoC) processor developed specifically for audio streaming applications. This new SoC delivers significantly greater processing power than previous versions, enabling real-time handling of high-resolution formats and improved upsampling algorithms. Native resolution playback supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512, with file formats support to include; FLAC, WAV, AIFF, MQA, MP3, and more, streamed over the network via DLNA/UPnP, or accessed through supported streaming services.
Its internal 10MHz high-precision crystal clock an operate as either a master or slave clock via the 10MHz input and two outputs, allowing it to support those running external master clocks or synchronized digital systems. This new design also includes LEEDH processing, an innovative lossless digital volume adjustment algorithm that, “eliminates rounding errors”.
Connectivity is quite extensive and outputs include; a fully isolated DAC USB, 1 x SPDIF, 1 x AES/EBU, and 1 x TOSLINK, providing flexibility across various DACs and system configurations. Additional output connectivity includes; an SFP for optical networking, which allows for complete galvanic isolation from the network, again helping to minimize electrical noise. Inputs include, 1 x RJ45 and 2 x USB for storage connectivity.
Continuing on the theme of reducing noise, the U2x uses an external low-noise analog power supply that is designed around dual toroid’s and low-noise linear regulators. It uses separate digital and analog circuitry for each supply helping isolate any noise or interaction between the analog and digital sections.
Finally, control is available through several options. The U2X integrates seamlessly with the brand’s mobile app (iOS and Android), and is Roon Ready and Audirvana certified. Streaming options include; Spotify Connect, TIDAL (including TIDAL Connect), Qobuz, Qobuz Connect, KKBOX, TuneIn internet radio, and Apple AirPlay.
Specifications:
- DSD Support: Up to DSD512 22.5MHz, 1-bit
- PCM Support: Up to 768kHz, 16–32-bit, Stereo
- Upsampling rates & bit depths:
- DSD256 upsampling option for all files
- PCM 384kHz upsampling option for all files
- Digital Output Stage:
- Isolated USB:
- Native DSD512 support
- PCM 44.1–768kHz, 16–32-bit, Stereo
- Optical, Coaxial RCA, Coaxial BNC & AES/EBU:
- PCM 44.1kHz–192kHz, 16–24-bit
- DSD (DoP, DSD over PCM) 2.8MHz, 1-bit
- Isolated USB:
- 10M Clock I/O:
- BNC Input: 50 Ohms on BNC
- BNC Outputs: 50 Ohms on BNC
- Optical Network:
- Industry-standard SFP
- 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet
- Adapter may be needed for your particular switch/cables
- Use simultaneously with RJ45 (e.g. connect one to router and one to LUMIN L1 or NAS)
- Streaming Protocol:
- UPnP AV protocol with audio streaming extension (OpenHome)
- Roon Ready
- Qobuz Connect
- TIDAL Connect
- Spotify Connect
- Plāys with Audirvāna
- AirPlay-compatible
- QPlay-compatible for QQMusic
- Gapless Playback
- On-Device Playlist
- App Features:
- Native support for TIDAL, MQA, Qobuz, KKBox and TuneIn Radio.
- Tidal MAX and MQA icons to identify high-res music
- Qobuz high-res icons to identify high-res music
- Volume control
- High-resolution artwork
- Artwork caching
- Search
- Multiple tag handling
- Composer tag support
- Album-grouping in playlist
- Automatic internet links to artists/album/songs
- Saving and restoring of playlists (including Tidal and Qobuz)
- Supported Audio File Formats:
- DSD Lossless: DSF (DSD), DIFF (DSD), DoP (DSD)
- PCM Lossless: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF
- Compressed (lossy) Audio: MP3
- MQA
- Inputs:
- Ethernet RJ45 network 1000Base-T
- USB storage, flash drive, USB hard disk (Single-partition FAT32, exFAT and NTFS only)
- Supported Control Devices:
- Apple devices. iOS 11.0 or later (List of supported devices)
- Android devices. Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or later required
- Apple Silicon. macOS 11 or later. (Download the iOS App from the iOS App Store)
- Chromebook. Google Play Store required.
- Leedh Processing lossless digital volume control
- Power Supply:
- External solid billet cnc dual-toroidal
- Separate digital & analogue circuitry
- Low-noise linear regulator
- 9-pin Output Connector
- Finish:
- Black anodized aluminum (with matching PSU)
- Raw anodized aluminum (with matching PSU)
- Dimensions (WxDxH), Weight:
- Lumin (solid aluminum chassis): 350, 345, 60 mm, 8kg
- PSU (solid aluminum chassis): 106, 334, 60 mm, 4kg
Availability:
August 2025
MSRP:
- US: $9,990.00
- EU: €10,990.00
For more information visit the Lumin web site.
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