Network Audio Players/Servers

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