When we reviewed the T3x network player (VU#59), we noticed that Lumin had discreetly removed its biggest hauler, the U1x, from its website. This June, the Hong Kong manufacturer returns with a surprise, as the new model takes the name of U2x!
While the T3x replaced the T3 in exactly the same range, Lumin seems to simplify the readability of its network transport catalog by calling them all U2. The range begins with the U2 mini, continues with the U2 and culminates with the U2x.
A true flagship, as we like to call the most ultimate manufacturer products today, this new pure transport retains the two-chassis architecture of the U1 & U1x. A separate power supply, almost identical to that of the recent X1, joins the main chassis in a secondary housing, machined from metal balls with aluminium separators. Two toroidal transformers are backed up by ultra-low-noise regulators, to deliver the purest possible current to the main device.
On this chassis made from aluminium solid billet, the brand remains faithful to its blue monochrome screen and still doesn’t subscribe to the HD (or even touch) screen, which mainly enable album covers to be displayed while listening, since everything else is much better managed from apps on smartphones and tablets. In addition to the classic digital connections (coax, BNC, AES/EBU, Toslink) and two USB Data inputs, a fully isolated USB port enables perfect output at the highest sampling rates to a DAC, and above all, the U2x integrates an SFP fiber port to provide network playback with minimized background noise.
On the streaming menu, we retain the exceptional module developed in 2022, now compatible with more control applications, including the recent Qobuz Connect. Supported files are, of course, up to PCM 768 kHz /32 bits (we hope you’ll be able to find some natively for the time being…) and DSD512. To control volume directly via the Lumin, Leedh Processing is of course also always integrated, and as proof of the very high quality of the transport, it incorporates a 10MHz input and two output clock ports, to further limit jitter thanks to an external clock if desired. A ground terminal is also available, to perfectly purify this part too.
As a flagship product, the U2x is priced at 10 950 € for Europe.
14/06/2025
