In short MQA is dead-dead for good.

Different cutout, if you look at OEM it's slanted cut, exposing good portion of the W4, with aftermarket it's straight cut, covering exposed edges.

If it's this one, it does not, but protection a bit better as there is no cutout on output side. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/luxury-precision-lp-w4-successor-to-their-popular-w1-w2-usb-dongle-is-here.967875/page-49#post-17612100...

Great, btw, the latest FW is 1.0.1.8, the latest in OP is 1.0.1.6 You can find the very latest here https://shop.musicteck.com/pages/lp-firmware-upgrade

Did you enable bit-perfect in UAPP? Sounds like the problem other user had on the previous page, but he doesn't use exclusive mode. Also is it streaming, local files or doesn't matter?

ES100 mk2 is decent but rather outdated BT dongle. Micro-USB with UAC 1.0 limited to 48khz, highly unpopular these days 2.5mm balanced output, and while it does feature dual DAC, it's AKM AK4375A, not the same as dual Sabre ES9219C paired with dual THX AAA-28 amps on Fiio BTR7. BTR7 just sounds...

HE1000V2 is a step up in details, but other than that is just a side step from HD800S, as on grand scale the tonality is essentially the same, if not even more analytical and dry. HE6SE might have better bass and overall a better all arounder IMHO, but details and soundstage are not as great as...

If it's bass you are after, lots of it, 1More Quad Driver is hard to beat. WOW, didn't know Amir measured them.

That's non-exclusive mode to you, doubt there are any issues with W4. Try foobar2000, btw did you install Windows driver.

That could be a culprit. Try to switch to WASAPI exclusive in whatever player you are using. On Android phone use UAPP.

What output are you using on PC, WASAPI Exclusive? Pops and clicks could be due to Direct audio or WASAPI shared mode when OS Mixer messing things up.

UAC 2.0?

I didn't feel that HE1000V2 was an upgrade over HD800 as far as bass and overall tonality goes. It was improvement on technicalities, but it felt even "drier" than HD800, would never thought it's possible. HD800 bass when properly amped is fine, if you are looking for bass cannon you won't get...

Multipoint and LDAC are not mutually friendly. Technics EAH-AZ80 manual for instance recommends to disable multipoint if optimizing for Audio Quality.

If it's on volume change, try to work pot back and forth to clean contacts. It happens with all potentiometer pots.

https://twister6.com/2023/12/21/ibasso-dc-elite/2/

W4 is smoother and more delicate, W2 sounds harsher and more "digital" in comparison. The difference is rather nuanced though, not night and day.

Same case here, it's a beaut. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/technics-eah-az80-true-wireless-earbuds.968244/page-4#post-17717458

That should help, brand new batteries are known for such things. Few recharge cycles after full drain should fix it.

Thought W4 is like $449. https://shop.musicteck.com/products/luxury-precision-w4-portable-usb-dac-amp-headphone-amp But either should work, W4 is just so tiny and more of a portable kind, even though I much prefer BT solutions like Fiio BTR7 for on the go.

Before you place your order take a look at more portable L&P W4 dongle. Little bit mighty bugger. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/luxury-precision-lp-w4-successor-to-their-popular-w1-w2-usb-dongle-is-here.967875/post-18079778

WASAPI exclusive is part of Windows audio stack, and meant for bit-perfect playback bypassing OS mixer. What Microsoft can do if streaming app does not allow selection of this mode or ASIO. You can lead horse to the water, but you can't make him drink. E.g. this is Qobuz bit-perfect output...

Is it supposed to be "seconds"?

Just dump the sucker, there are better streaming services out.