Lumin T3 Music Server/DAC Lab Report

Lab Report

The T3 is currently Lumin's most accessible server solution that combines the 'Leedh Processing' volume algorithm with its comprehensive resampling software and a brace of top-notch ES9028PRO DACs. The performance is very solid – maximum output is a healthy 5.0V from a usefully low 10ohm source impedance (balanced) while the A-wtd S/N ratio is a very wide 118dB, via both network and USB-A inputs. The lowest distortion – just 0.0001-0.00025% (re. 20Hz-20kHz) – is achieved at its peak output [Graph 1, below] rather than in the more common range between –10dBFs to –20dBFs seen with contemporary DACs. Nevertheless we've seen this resilience from Lumin's balanced output stages before [HFN Jul '22].

The ESS DAC offers a range of advanced digital filters [HFN Apr '22] but for the T3 Lumin has chosen the 'slow roll-off/linear phase' option. This trades a merely adequate 24dB stopband rejection and early treble roll-off (–6.3dB/20kHz with CD/48kHz media) for a significant reduction of pre/post 'echoes' in the time domain. Higher sample rates also experience a slightly premature HF roll-off but as this occurs well outside of the audioband (–9.6dB/45kHz and –16dB/90kHz with 96kHz and 192kHz media, respectively) there is no direct subjective impact.

Maximum output is 0.5dB higher with the T3 in native sampling mode but the S/N is reduced by 1.5dB and distortion is higher over the top 40dB of its dynamic range [red trace, Graph 1]. Correlated jitter is broadly unchanged by Lumin's upsampling, remaining a vanishingly low 11-12psec over all sample rates, whether resampling is invoked or not. However, synchronous resampling (48kHz to 192kHz, etc) does result in a decrease in uncorrelated phase noise/background noise [see Graph 2]. PM

523lumin.lab1

THD vs. 48kHz/24-bit digital level (1kHz, black; 20kHz, blue; 1kHz Resampling Off, red)

523lumin.lab2

High resolution 48kHz/24-bit jitter spectrum via network (resampled to 192kHz, black; native, red)

Maximum output level / Impedance 5.01Vrms / 10ohm
A-wtd S/N ratio (resampling on/off) 118.0dB / 116.5dB
Distortion (1kHz, 0dBFs/–30dBFs) 0.00009% / 0.0025%
Distortion & Noise (20kHz, 0dBFs/–30dBFs) 0.00025% / 0.0036%
Freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz/40kHz/75kHz) –0.0 to +3.6dB/–9.6dB/–16dB
Digital jitter (48kHz / 96kHz / 192kHz) 11psec / 11psec / 10psec
Resolution (re. –100dBFs / –110dBFs) ±0.1dB / ±0.2dB
Power consumption 8W (8W 'standby')
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 350x60x350mm / 6kg
Price £4195

COMPANY INFO
Pixel Magic Systems Ltd,
Hong Kong
Supplied by: Sound Design Distribution Ltd, Cardiff
0800 0096213
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