LUMIN U2 Network Streaming Transport

If you own a DAC you love, you don't need another one. You need a source that feeds it beautifully. The U2 is LUMIN's transport for DAC owners: it brings the design philosophy behind LUMIN's best-value player, the T3, to a dedicated digital source for the first time, with the linear power supply, chassis construction, and dual networking of the award-winning P1.

The sweet spot for DAC owners: high-end digital, nothing in the way.

The Design

The U2 was the first LUMIN transport with a built-in linear power supply: an extra-large toroidal transformer, ultra-low-noise rectification, and linear regulation. Four exceptionally low-phase-noise crystal oscillators keep timing precise.

It was also the first LUMIN with three USB ports, one of them a dedicated direct-coupled USB audio output for your DAC, leaving the other two free for music storage and accessories. AES/EBU, coaxial RCA and BNC, and optical outputs cover virtually every DAC. Optical fibre networking isolates the U2 from network noise, and the second network port works as a built-in switch.

Its thick CNC-panelled chassis, finished in the silky surface from LUMIN's high-end P1, adds rigidity and shielding beyond the U2 Mini's.

How It Sounds

Reviewers hear a transport that simply gets out of the way. 6moons' Frederic Beudot described it as a scalpel built around timing integrity and noise suppression, crossing into a plausibility usually reserved for streamers costing far more. Secrets' Stephen Scharf heard tonal accuracy, harmonic richness, and a relaxed, engaging presentation. High Fidelity praised its combination of resolution and richness.

Where It Fits

The U2 is the heart of LUMIN's transport range: above the compact U2 Mini, below the flagship U2X. Choose it when you have a quality DAC and want a transport with a linear power supply, optical networking, and LUMIN's acclaimed app. Leedh Processing lossless volume lets it drive a DAC straight into a power amplifier if your DAC lacks volume control.

Press Recognition

• 6moons (April 2025), Frederic Beudot. Beudot called the U2 the sweet spot in LUMIN's range and among streamers that can simply disappear. Read the review at 6moons
• Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity (October 2024), Stephen Scharf. Scharf called it one of the best-designed and best-sounding digital transports he'd ever used, with his highest recommendation. Read the review at Secrets
• Steve Huff (May 2023), written and video review. Huff found the U2 silky, detailed, three-dimensional, and emotional, besting every streamer he'd tried up to $5,000. Watch his video below. Read the review at Steve Huff Photo
• Lite Magazin (March 2023), Philipp Schneckenburger, Referenzklasse, 99/100. Schneckenburger praised its balanced, spacious, liquid sound and its effortless operation. Read the review at Lite Magazin (German)
• Hifi.nl (April 2023), Max Delissen, Recommended. Delissen called the sound quality fantastic, with more peace, resolution, and smoothness. Read the review at Hifi.nl (Dutch)

Choosing between the U2 Mini, U2, and U2X for your DAC? Give us a call, and we'll help you find the right match.

Specifications

• Type: Network streaming transport (digital output only)
• DSD support: Up to DSD512 (22.5MHz), 1-bit
• PCM support: Up to 768kHz, 16 to 32-bit
• Upsampling: DSD256 or PCM 384kHz, all files
• USB output: Dedicated direct-coupled port, native DSD512, PCM to 768kHz
• Optical, coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, AES/EBU outputs: PCM to 192kHz/24-bit, DSD64 via DoP
• Clocking: 4 low-phase-noise crystal oscillators
• Network: SFP optical, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, usable together as a built-in switch
• USB ports: 3 total, including the dedicated audio output; storage supported (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS)
• Streaming: Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Plex, UPnP/OpenHome, Audirvāna, JPLAY, Amazon Music, TuneIn, KKBox, QQMusic
• Volume: Leedh Processing lossless digital volume control
• Power supply: Internal toroidal linear, low-noise linear regulator
• Control: LUMIN app (iOS, Android, Apple Silicon Mac, Chromebook)
• Dimensions: 350mm W x 350mm D x 60.5mm H (13.8" x 13.8" x 2.4")
• Weight: 6kg (13.2 lbs)
• Finishes: Black anodised or raw anodised aluminium
• Designed in: Hong Kong