Setting up a Lumin Network Streamer

If you've just purchased a Lumin Network Music Player and you are anxious to get started, I have created a little guide. Hopefully others will chime in and add helpful tips and information to make the entire process smoother for everyone

OK...let's get started....

First, I would start here: LUMIN - Quickstart

Second, I will assume that you have an internet connection, a home network and know where your router is located (basement, garage, office, etc. – wherever the cable/phone company placed it).

Third, from this main router, you have two options. Depending on the difficulty of the cable run, you will need to run a Cat 5/5e/6 (recommend Cat6) to a switch (something like: Amazon.com: Cisco-Linksys EZXS55W EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch: Electronics) OR run two Cat 5/5e/6 cables from the main router. One goes to your NAS (more on that later) and one goes to your Lumin. I have my NAS located in my listening room, and no, there is no noticeable fan/noise. But I understand many people will want to put their NAS in a different room (office, basement, etc.)

If you project that other devices in your listening room may benefit from a direct Ethernet connection (such as an Oppo player, laptop for ripping CD’s, etc.), then the switch is nice to have.

The next step is to configure your NAS. If the whole thought of setting up a NAS gives your nightmares, then the Lumin L1 is the product for you. If you’re game to tackle it, you will be surprised at how easy it is. The first step is to chose either a Synology or QNAP NAS. Something like this:

Amazon.com: Synology DiskStation 4-Bay (Diskless) Network Attached Storage DS412+ (Black): Electronics

and four of these:

Amazon.com: WD Red 3 TB NAS Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, SATA III, 64 MB Cache - WD30EFRX: Electronics

will get you running. Obviously, you can chose a larger NAS (8 bay instead of 4) and 4TB drives instead of 3TB drives. But the two products listed above will definitely get you started.

At this point, you want to follow the instructions that come with your NAS. You will install the drives into the NAS drive bays, connect the NAS to your switch via Cat 5/5e/6 cable or directly to your router, install the appropriate NAS software on your Mac or PC (if applicable) and ultimately, chose the RAID type that is best for you (the different options are described, and if you unsure, call the manufacturer of the NAS).

I run a Synology 1812+ NAS with eight 3TB Western Digital Red Spec drives. I can’t remember what Synology RAID option I chose – but it’s the one where one drive can fail and everything stays in tact. Speaking of hard drive failures, I have had one drive fail and it took three days to get a replacement from Amazon. If a second one had failed in those three days, I would have been hooped and lost all my data. I now have a spare handy…just in case.

Once completed, you are ready to begin using your NAS. Your computer “talks” to your NAS via a web browser. Typically, where you enter Something. in your browser URL line, you will type in something like 192.168.1.10 (you will need to find the exact address of exactly where your NAS is residing on your network.)

At this point, you will want to install MiniMServer (found here: MinimServer) At this point, you will want to ensure you install the right minimserver for your NAS type (Synology, QNAP). This is the point that requires PATIENCE and reading. MiniMServer is not a commercial product, but it is an important product. It allows your Lumin to talk to your NAS, specifically for transferring DSD files. It is more robust than the free UpNp program that comes with your NAS. So, patience and due diligence will be rewarded.

If you are not computer savvy, installing applications on your NAS can be a bit confusing. But stick with it. Read the instructions carefully. The good news is that once its done….its done! You won’t have to revisit this process again (yeah!).

Now, move your music (and whatever else you want to store) onto your NAS. Once complete, using the Lumin app, you should be able to find your NAS. Let it load the files. Make a playlist and listen – you’ve earned it!

As a side, it should be noted that the MiniMServer program requires you to “Stop” and “Restart” the application after you rip a new CD to your NAS or download new digital music files. You will then need to wait a few minutes and eventually reload the music library using the Lumin App (in settings). This is a bit of a pain, I will admit, but its what is required.