Lumin X1 not passing USB digital output to USB DAC

Lon_Baugh · October 18, 2025, 2:30am

Dear Support:
I have a Lumin X1 that I’ve just connected into my main two channel audio system. I’m connecting the X1 to my local music library via LAN and fiber optic connection. I use RoonServer as my player exclusively. Roon recognizes the X1 and is transmitting the music to it. However, in this system, I’m using the X1 as a renderer and then digitally outputting the music to my USB DAC (T+A PDP 3000 HV) which receives the digital signal when I’m using my SOtM renderer instead of the X1 (with the same Transparent Audio USB cable); so I know that the issue has something to do with the X1 not passing the signal to the T+A DAC.

I’ve completed a factory reset through the downloaded Lumin app on my iPad; the Lumin app recognizes the X1 and allows me to configure it for USB output. Further, the settings in the app show that the T+A DAC is recognized on the same network. So I just don’t know how to access some setting so that the X1 will pass the output to the T+A DAC via the connected USB cable. Please see the attached images showing the settings in the Lumin app for the X1. The first image I attached shows the applicable
X1 device settings via the Lumin app; the second image shows the “About” output re: network and notice it recognizes the T+A DAC is in the network awaiting the digital signal from the X1; and the third image shows that Roon is recognizing the X1 (named Main System).

I’m not sure what to do next, but I imagine there must be a simple thing I’m missing (cannot see settings beyond what I’ve described in the Lumin app; Factory Reset through the Lumin app was of no consequence).

I look forward to your suggestions and help.

Thank you and kind regards,
Lon

wklie · October 18, 2025, 2:46am

I see that you have set Lumin X1 to output to USB correctly, and the USB DAC information is showing up in About X1 screen. So that’s good.

Make sure Lumin re-sampling is disabled (in order to avoid potential DSD incompatibility)
Make sure Roon DSP Engine is disabled (in order to avoid potential DSD incompatibility)
In Lumin app, set Roon Ready to disable, wait for 10 seconds, then enable it again
Play some PCM music and see if it works

Lon_Baugh · October 18, 2025, 3:29am

Thank you for your quick response. None of those collateral steps made any difference to the issue - being that the X1 is not passing USB digital output to the T+A DAC even as the X1 is configured correctly to USB output. For the avoidance of doubt, I’m not using the DAC of the Lumin in any way (i.e., no resampling - I play everything Native); ditto with Roon - I never use the DSP. Is there a way to determine why a software setting in the Lumin app would not be acted on by the X1? It seems that the Lumin app may not be adequately communicating with the X1. Alternatively, there’s a hardware issue with the X1.

FYI, I’m including and Image of the X1 and T+A DAC showing how the X1 is displaying the track and the T+A DAC is showing nothing (it normally displays the resolution of the file it’s playing).

wklie · October 18, 2025, 3:51am

Firstly, please post the Roon signal path display.

Then:
Please cut power to both Lumin and DAC.
Disconnect USB DAC cable.
Power up Lumin and wait for the progress circle to show up.
Power up the DAC, switch to USB input.
Connect the USB cable.
Launch Lumin app, check that About X1 shows three lines of USB DAC information.
Retry Roon playback.
If it still doesn’t work, disconnect the USB cable, and try an ordinary USB (printer) cable.

Lon_Baugh · October 18, 2025, 4:07pm

Dear Peter,

Contemplating the purpose of your methodology and suggested steps, I interposed another factory reset into the process as follows:
Cut power to X1 and T+A DAC
Remove USB cable from each
Power up X1 and perform a factory reset
Configure X1 again with no upsampling or other processes (i.e., Native everything as I’d set before) and select USB audio output, then cut power to the X1 again
Then, I perform your suggested steps:

Image 1 shows the T+A DAC receiving power but not on and the USB cable not connected to either device and X1 display just prior to factory reset (awaiting music from Roon) and

Image 2 shows the network information (also reflecting no T+A DAC as there’s no connection between it and the X1 – the USB cable being removed from both)
Now, the X1 factory reset is performed and is successfully completed returning the X1 display so that it’s the same as in image 1
I reconfigure the X1 again with no upsampling or any other DAC/DSP involvement (i.e. native playback exclusively) and select USB audio output, then power off and cut power to the X1 to resume your suggested steps

Images 3 & 4 show the post factory reset settings for the X1

Then I perform your suggested steps:
I turned off the X1 and cut power to both the X1 and T+A DAC (neither has the USB cable attached)
I powered up the X1 then the T+A DAC (the X1 displays just as with Image 1 and the T+A DAC displays normal startup information)
I first attached the USB cable to the X1 and then the T+A DAC with displays a confirmation that it is ready to receive on the USB connection (incidentally, the T+A DAC utilizes for its USB receiver Amanero based technology and firmware, tweaked by T+A engineers to banish jitter, if that makes any difference to your thinking).

Image 5 shows the recognition by the X1 of the T+A DAC again as it did last night

Now, I open RoonServer and Roon Controller to select the X1 “Main System” and select a track and press “Play”
Alas, no change!

Images 6 and 7 show both Roon recognizing and passing the music to the X1 (respectively); the signal however is not passing from the X1 to the T+A DAC
Also, I confirmed that the USB cable is passing signal from the USB out on the SOtM sMS-200 Ultra New Special Edition renderer to the T+A DAC

I’m heading to the club and will return after lunch. Hope we can get to the bottom of this problem with the X1.

Thank you again for your assistance!
Lon

P.S. I’m back now and just for completeness, I inserted a brand spanking new USB B to A cable and that didn’t make any difference to the outcome - the X1 is still not passing the digital output to the T+A DAC.

wklie · October 19, 2025, 10:43am

To verify the X1 hardware, please use the X1 analog output. This requires setting Lumin app to output to Analog. After this change, turn off Roon Ready, wait for a while, then turn it back on again.

Play from Roon for a few hours using repeat or Roon radio.

To verify the X1 USB port: please put a few 44.1kHz FLAC files on a USB thumb drive. Plug it into X1. Launch Lumin app. Select the library to be Lumin USB Music Server. Clear the play queue. Put those FLAC files to the play queue. Turn on repeat. Again see if it can play using Lumin app for a few hours to analog output.

Amanero USB is compatible with Lumin for PCM playback. For native DSD playback, a certain Amanero firmware version is required, while old versions did not work from Lumin or any Linux-based streamer.

We have T+A DAC users with Lumin, no known incompatibility exists aside from the aforementioned native DSD requirement.

Lon_Baugh · October 19, 2025, 12:31pm

Dear Peter,

To coin a phrase, your latest suggestions will send me on what we call here in the US a wild goose chase, i.e., these steps have nothing to do with my use case (using the X1 to output USB to my T+A DAC) and will not advance us towards understanding why that is not currently possible.

I’ve already spent several hours on this and need for you to focus with me on MY use case. So, is there a way for you to remote into the device or a way for me to send you operational logs so that your team can figure out what is going on and why the X1 isn’t outputting via USB? This seems to be the next logical step.

I’m also concerned to hear that your devices have DSD issues with some T+A devices. This is key to my use case as well.

I look forward to your reply and assistance in focusing on my particular use case.

Thank you!
Lon

Bob_Smith · October 19, 2025, 10:25pm

Lon…I hope you get your issues sorted.

If I may ask…who makes that rack of yours in the photos? It’s gorgeous…I was just wondering.

Thanks,
Bob

wklie · October 20, 2025, 1:29am

Waiting for test result of hardware verification, otherwise it cannot be proceeded, since you said:

Lon_Baugh · October 20, 2025, 12:11pm

Peter,
Of course, my statement is referring to the hardware only in so far as the USB output is concerned.
That is what I’m asking you to help me focus on; the remainder of the unit appears to be operating. And your suggested steps don’t get me any closer to a resolution; I know you understand this as you seem very experienced.

I ask again - can someone from your support team remote into the device? Alternatively, is it possible for me to derive operational logs so that someone on your team can review them and figure out why the USB output functionality is not working?

Absent other relevant troubleshooting, that’s the only way I know of how to proceed towards a solution. I appreciate your focusing on my use case as that is what the Lumin is not performing.

Also, what are your servicing options in the US?

BTW, I’m not trying to be smarty; I’m just trying to remain logical and focused as the problem seems specific to my user case. I want to be respectful of your time and I hope you will be respectful of mine.

Thank you!
Lon

Lon_Baugh · October 20, 2025, 12:15pm

Bob, thank you for your compliment; it really is a beautiful rack! It is bespoke and was built by a former furniture maker here in FL who no longer takes on projects - he now sells globally sourced exotic hardwoods exclusively. Thank you, again!

Bob_Smith · October 20, 2025, 3:26pm

Thank you for the reply, Lon. Congrats and enjoy!

Hope you get things sorted. If there is anyone who can make things right, it’s Peter.

wklie · October 21, 2025, 2:26am

Remote debugging is not possible.

I have retested this firmware USB output to an external DAC and it’s working as expected. We have not received any bug report about playback to external DAC with this firmware.

For interoperability, please seek help from your dealer. In particular, it would be good to test whether the X1 USB output to a different USB DAC using a different USB cable works.

We have many T+A DAC200 users, and some DAC8 users as well.

If the hardware fails, please contact our US distributor:

Source Systems Ltd.

Voice/Data 949-369-7729

Finally, please do try an ordinary (not audiophile) USB printer cable. Even if a cable worked in a different setup does not always imply it would work in a new combination of equipment.

Lon_Baugh · October 22, 2025, 1:20am

Hi Peter,
I am in the process of trying to line up another USB DAC (at the local T+A dealership). I hope to test on Thursday. Incidentally, in speaking to that dealer this afternoon, he mentioned that he currently has an X1 in the shop and he’s experienced inability to use its USB audio output to an Ayre DAC he has in one of his listening rooms. I was intrigued by this and I hope to find out more on Thursday. I think with this further testing, I’m hopeful I’ll be able to further isolate the problem.

BTW, as I had written in my previous testing summary, I already substituted a brand new USB “printer cable” (i.e., B to A) and that made no difference. The Transparent audio USB cable has no networking or other stuff to be concerned about; it’s just a very well built USB cable.

That’s all for now and I appreciate the time you’ve provided to me.
Lon

wklie · October 22, 2025, 1:35am

We have Lumin users with USB output to Ayre QB-9 Twenty and QX-5 Twenty users as well. Previously QB-9 DSD was reported to be compatible too.

Lon_Baugh · October 22, 2025, 2:07am

Peter, perhaps with all the involvement I’ve had with configuring the X1 during these past several days, I’ll have some insight into what may be going on with the dealer’s rig…

Thanks again,
Lon