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Lumin U1 Mini - how to set up Network *without* Ethernet cables?

To Lumin owners. I just got the Lumin U1 Mini. Had Limetree (Lindemann) Bridge before.

Need to connect the Lumin streamer to my wifi network. There won’t be any ethernet cable as my router/modem (from ISP) are in a different room than where the music and DAC need to be.

I’ve downloaded the Lumin app but the dum  app seems useless. It presumes the Lumin is already on the network. Which is a bit of chicken and egg as there’s no way on the device itself to connect to the network -- how would I enter the wifi password etc?

Any ideas how I get it on to my wifi and set up the password etc? The online manual is horribly un-informative. Does Lumin presume everyone will use Ethernet cables to connect to modem/router?

I am little surprised this is what "audiophiles" rave about. The basic setup is not even thought-through. And manual refers only to "iPad", most users will use their iPhone. Welcome any pointers.

julie_priest
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,332 posts
 

I am planning to compare Eno to higher ethernet cables but not sure when I’ll get around to it. The only cable I compared it to was the Supra cat 8 and cheap yellow and blue ones. 

jabbaman
56 posts
 

Thanks again @audphile1.

In my head, if I'm paying over £1k for a network transport - a device whose job it is to connect to a network and grab high-resolution audio files to send on to a DAC, then I don't really want to spend another £1k to make the network bit work to a level where the audio is noise free!

I'm leaning more and more towards Auralic Aries for this very reason.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,853 posts
 

I don't use any add ons with my Lumin. Just ethernet (plain jane cable) in and balanced out to a Denfrips DAC. Sounds great to these ears.

 

jabbaman
56 posts
 

@ozzy62 - that's really good to know and it's also what I would expect from a brand such as Lumin. Out of interest which Lumin streamer do you happen to have, and which Denafrips? I've got an Ares II winging its way to me tomorrow and I'm a tad excited.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,332 posts
 

@jabbaman I owned Auralic Aries G1. Replaced it with Lumin U1 Mini. Each has pros and cons. I had constant issues with AURALiC’s Lightning DS several times a week where it would drop network connection, the network would see the G1 but the G1 was not seeing the network. I use Roon and the G1 sounded better using the Lightning DS but a lot of album artwork from my HDD (ripped CDs) was missing.

When I switched to Lumin I also preferred the sound of Lumin over G1, Roon or without.
Lumin sounded great wired with Supra Cat 8 ethernet cable with none of the dropouts and network related issues I experienced with the wireless G1. Adding the Eno improved the sound of lumin even further. 
I never looked back after switching to Lumin. 
 

I’m pretty sure a good ethernet cable like an Audioquest Vodka would be a nice addition but I never tried. 

Since I’m using Roon, the Bricasti M3 DAC with a built in network player looked like a perfect one box solution so I sold my Lumin and Benchmark DAC 3 HGC to get the Bricasti. No regrets with simplicity and sound of the new set up. 
 

Bottom line, whatever you end up with, use good cables all around and you’ll be alright.

 

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