Lumin U2 vs Luxman NT-07

From what I can gather, the Luxman NT-07 is essentially a Lumin U2 fitted with Luxmans power supply and case.

Seems Luxman is using Lumin's software, app and processor unit.

Does anyone know if this is accurate or can offer other differences in the two products?

I've never heard the Lumin U2 but have had extensive listening tests with the Luxman. Assuming they are nearly identical would it be fair to assume the sound also would be nearly identical?

The Luxman processor

Lumin U2 processor

Well, I've not heard of a Luxman version, but the power supply in the Lumin U2 is a linear device with lots of filtering and is capable of delivering well over double the necessary power required

Maybe there is a tweak that Luxman applied, it certainly would not be inferior

Had a U2 for 6 weeks and it is by far the best DDC I've tried.  An importer loaned me a Hi-Fi Rose to try.  He had imported 5 of these units and one was faulty out the box, so he decided not to sell them.   The Hi-Fi Rose was identical in audio performance to the U2 but I much prefer the iPad interface of the Lumin

The USB out port offers superior audio to the AES socket.  A decent USB cable helps.  I tried 5 different ones and settled on a USB cable that uses silver-plated wire and is double-insulated with one drain wire

What is missing with the Lumin is decent printed manual.   You get a quick-start manual which seems to cover all their products but is very thin on the ground about any additional U2 details

I sent an email to [email protected] on 31st July and am hoping they will reply soon

1 hour ago, chrisc said:

What is missing with the Lumin is decent printed manual

There is a very exhaustive on line manual

Thank you, I have that one

It is not specific to the U2 and does not cover some of the operational aspects.  

On 8/23/2024 at 12:30 AM, chrisc said:

Well, I've not heard of a Luxman version, but the power supply in the Lumin U2 is a linear device with lots of filtering and is capable of delivering well over double the necessary power required

 

Maybe there is a tweak that Luxman applied, it certainly would not be inferior

 

Had a U2 for 6 weeks and it is by far the best DDC I've tried.  An importer loaned me a Hi-Fi Rose to try.  He had imported 5 of these units and one was faulty out the box, so he decided not to sell them.   The Hi-Fi Rose was identical in audio performance to the U2 but I much prefer the iPad interface of the Lumin

 

The USB out port offers superior audio to the AES socket.  A decent USB cable helps.  I tried 5 different ones and settled on a USB cable that uses silver-plated wire and is double-insulated with one drain wire

 

What is missing with the Lumin is decent printed manual.   You get a quick-start manual which seems to cover all their products but is very thin on the ground about any additional U2 details

 

I sent an email to [email protected] on 31st July and am hoping they will reply soon

I found the Lumin U1 with the X1 power supply greatly benefited from a change in AC source , so much that it affected the choice of USB treatment devices and cable choices.

A balanced Denafrips transformer with additional AC EMC filtering, required only a single Acoustic Revive split cable. Tossed out were ifi Micro USB3, Intona usb filter and the cables and power supplies in between.

Preference for AES3 output is preferred over USB, and only use USB for dsf (to the same DAC).

Differences between NT-07 and U2:

Exclusive to Luxman NT-07:

•     Luxman aesthetics to match Luxman gear
•     EI core transformer with 2 x 10,000uF capacitors
•     HDMI audio input (note: not I2S) and ARC (note: TV must be set to stereo PCM and Dolby/DTS off)
•     Comes with remote control RC-30
•     12V trigger input/output

Exclusive to Lumin U2:

•     Lumin toroidal transformer
•     AES output
•     SFP fiber network
•     Leedh Processing Volume
•     Support Plex
•     Default selection of FLAC radio stations
•     Multi-room playback with multiple Lumin units using Lumin app
•     (Lumin physical remote is separately purchased)

Firmware feature differences as of August 2024 - may change in the future.

On 8/28/2024 at 6:13 PM, wklie said:

Differences between NT-07 and U2:

 

Yes, I've seen that posted around the net. Looking for any subjective sonic differences from someone who has heard them both.

As for the Luxman, Japanese brands are always too conservative IMO [many factors at work here], that being the case outputs like BNC, I2S, AES/EBU and/or the ability to connect to an external clock will probably never appear on the Luxman. The absence of AES output means the network player is not even fully comparable with their own upcoming Dac.

With that said, I'm in the market for a U2, however like many people I have other audio setups around the home. I'd like to enjoy one source for all my home needs as supposed to buying separate audio servers for each location. As it stands the Lumin U2 would be a great addition to my main system but its lack of being able to stream music around my home to different endpoints makes it a hard sell. Even the Luxman for that matter, seeing that it has even less functions than the Lumin.

Looking at the Luxman player I can't help but feel its a bit disappointing. 

First off look at the Luxman amps, they are solid works of audio engineering. Build like tanks yet have the sound of Angels errrrr something there of....

The NT-07 is a half-baked rebrand at best. The OS is a stripped down version of Lumin's, the outputs are standard Spdif which brings all of the spdif limitations and an ordinary non-audio specialized USB again unlike Lumins. The case is your standard stamped metal case with an exposed R-Core and power supply being able to spread all its EMI/RFI to everything inside, again unlike Lumins encapsulated power supply. The tape and glue on the wires inside the case seem more DIY than an expensive $7k product. Luxman could not have spent more than an afternoons worth of time dreaming up how to put this together given Lumins processor and OS were already in hand. 

Luxman you can do better than this, especially at this price point.

To bring this thing up to par with its peers, it needs at least

• BNC output
• AES/EBU output
• Specialized USB output port for audio
• Full Lumin OS capabilities
• Totally encapsulated power supply similar to Lumin
• I2S output
• Instead of the Amazon wire connecting the front USB port to the motherboard offer onboard HD storage for the music library
• More compartmentalized interior with absolutely no tape and glue holding wires in place
• Better filtration of incoming A/C
• External clock connection

I earned my $7k, the least you can do is earn your way into my pocket to take it. At this price point its about more than sound, its all about features too. Sometimes less = more, but in this case Less = LESS.