High-end network players have reached the point where some cost more than a decent used car, yet many still behave as though streaming is the only digital source anyone owns.
The new LUMIN S2 Network Player takes a different approach. It revives the company’s S-Series with technology derived from the flagship X1, including dual ESS ES9038PRO DACs, Lundahl output transformers, dual femto clocks, and a dual-toroidal linear power supply. More importantly, LUMIN has added coaxial and optical digital inputs, allowing a CD transport, television, computer, or other digital source to use the S2’s internal DAC.
LUMIN describes this as the first of its “Players” to offer digital inputs. There is a little marketing taxonomy involved there: the company’s P1 and newer P2 Network Music Hubs already accept external digital sources. The difference is that LUMIN has now brought that flexibility into the more traditional S-Series network player format.
Better late than pretending everyone threw away their CD transport in 2014.
X1 Architecture Moves Down the Range
The heart of the S2 is a pair of ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit, eight-channel DACs operated in dual-mono configuration, with one chip dedicated to each channel. LUMIN pairs those with a fully balanced analog output stage using the same Lundahl LL7401 output transformers found in its upper-tier products.
Power comes from two internally mounted and shielded toroidal transformers, with separate analog and digital power circuitry and low-noise regulation. LUMIN has also moved the S2 to its latest processing platform, which provides additional processing and storage headroom for streaming, resampling, and future firmware development.
Network playback supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD512, while users can optionally upsample content to PCM 384kHz or DSD256. Streaming support includes Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Roon Ready, AirPlay, Audirvāna, JPLAY, KKBOX, and internet radio, along with LUMIN’s own control app.
The S2 also retains Leedh Processing lossless digital volume control, allowing it to drive a power amplifier or active loudspeakers directly in an all-digital system.
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Digital Inputs Are the Big Addition
The Lumin S2 Network Player provides one RCA coaxial S/PDIF input and one TOSLINK optical input. Both accept PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD64 via DoP.
That may not sound revolutionary — plenty of considerably cheaper streamers have offered digital inputs for years but it changes what the S2 can do inside a high-end system. A CD transport or other digital component can now take advantage of the S2’s dual-mono DAC and analog output stage rather than requiring a separate DAC.
LUMIN also includes a USB digital output supporting PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD512 for listeners who prefer an external DAC. A shared USB connection can be used with external storage devices as well.
Network connectivity is also rather useful, with both Gigabit Ethernet and an SFP optical-network connection that can be used simultaneously. The latter allows users with compatible networking hardware to electrically isolate the player from the rest of the network.
What Is Missing?
For something being positioned as a more flexible digital source, LUMIN has left several increasingly common connections on the table.
There is no HDMI ARC/eARC input, no USB audio input for connecting a computer directly to the DAC, and no AES/EBU input. LUMIN also does not list Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; network connectivity remains wired through Ethernet or SFP. There are no analog inputs, headphone output, phono stage, subwoofer output, room correction, or internal music storage.
That does not make the S2 incomplete so much as very specifically LUMIN. This is a network player and high-end DAC with volume control, not an attempt to replace every component between your turntable and loudspeakers.
Still, HDMI would have been useful. Even audiophiles own televisions now.
LUMIN S2 Specifications:
- Type: Network music player, DAC, digital preamplifier
- DAC: Dual ESS ES9038PRO, dual-mono configuration
- Analog Stage: Fully balanced with dual Lundahl LL7401 output transformers
- Clocking: Dual femto clock system with FPGA distribution
- Network Playback: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz; DSD512, MQA Full Decoding
- Upsampling: PCM up to 384kHz; DSD256
- Digital Inputs: 1x coaxial RCA S/PDIF; 1x optical TOSLINK
- Digital Input Resolution: PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz; DSD64 via DoP
- Digital Output: USB; PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz; native DSD512
- Analog Outputs: Balanced XLR, 6Vrms; RCA, 3Vrms
- Networking: Gigabit Ethernet RJ45; Gigabit SFP optical
- USB Storage: Supported
- Streaming: Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Roon Ready, AirPlay, Audirvāna, JPLAY, KKBOX
- Volume Control: Leedh Processing
- Power Supply: Internal dual-toroidal supply with separate analog and digital circuitry
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 350 x 380 x107 mm (13.8 x 15 x 4.2 inches)
- Weight: 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
- Finishes: Black anodized aluminum or raw aluminum
Alternatives
At $3,680, Eversolo DMP-A10 combines network playback with extensive connectivity, room correction, internal storage capability, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, preamplifier functionality, and the ability to rip CDs when connected to an external optical drive. It is less purist and considerably more interested in being the digital Swiss Army knife of your system.
At the other end sits the Marantz LINK 10n, now priced at $14,000. It is a full streaming preamplifier with balanced and unbalanced analog inputs, MM/MC phono, HDMI ARC, coaxial and optical digital inputs, headphone output, subwoofer output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HEOS streaming. It does substantially more than the S2, although at a price that may encourage a brief conversation with whoever shares your bank account.
The Bottom Line
The LUMIN S2 Network Player is interesting because it moves the company’s traditional network-player formula closer to becoming the digital center of a serious two-channel system without turning it into an everything-in-one box.
Its dual ES9038PRO DACs, Lundahl transformer-coupled output stage, optical networking, dual-toroidal power supply, and very broad streaming support put the emphasis squarely on high-end digital playback. The new coaxial and optical inputs finally allow other sources to benefit from that hardware as well.
The omissions are equally deliberate. Buyers looking for HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, room correction, analog inputs, or a giant touchscreen will find competitors that provide them.
At about $9,000 USD, Lumin seems to position S2 between its T3X ($6,000) and flagship X2 ($16,800) in the company’s current network player lineup.
Lumin clearly is not trying to win a features-per-dollar contest. The S2 is aimed at listeners willing to pay for its dual ES9038PRO architecture, Lundahl transformer-coupled output stage, serious power supply, optical networking, and focused approach to high-end digital playback.
It is an impressively serious digital source.
At $8,990, it had better be.
For more information: luminmusic.com
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