Luxury Precision W2 Ultra - Reviews and discussions

Preface:

I purchased this unit for myself at retail price.

Also, I'm not a seasoned reviewer, so whatever I say is purely my observation and your results may vary.

I'm not the one to usually focus on specifications and numbers. I focus more on how happy I am with the equipment's sound and that's it.

Disclaimer: All impressions and opinions in this review are my own. I have not been paid or compensated by any entity for this review. My assessment is based solely on my personal experience with the product.

IEMs and HPs used for evaluation:

• Sennheiser HD600
• Sennheiser HD800 (SDR Modded)
• ZMF Bokeh
• ZMF Atrium
• HIFIMAN HE500
• DCA Aeon 2 Noire
• Artpical Lucifer
• Aful Cantor
• Eminent Ears Ruby
• I/O Volare

Introduction:

L&P have garnered a reputation for their focus on balanced sound and impressive technical performance, evident in their previous dongles like the original W2. Their foray into the world of digital audio players with the uniquely designed and powerful L&P P6 and P6 Pro further solidified their position as an innovator in portable audio. More recently, the W4 made waves with its impressive power output and extensive feature set, including a dizzying array of digital filters and EQ options. Now, L&P is back with the W2 Ultra, a dongle DAC/amp that aims to build on this legacy and redefine what's possible in portable listening. After spending considerable time with the W2 Ultra, I'm excited to share my detailed impressions.



Design and Build:

The W2 Ultra is a solidly built piece of kit. It's housed in a sleek, CNC-machined aluminum chassis that feels reassuring yet light in the hand. While it's definitely on the slightly larger side for a dongle, the build gives it a premium feel. The volume knob is nicely textured and offers a smooth, precise resistance when turning. On the front, you'll find a 0.91 inches monochrome OLED with 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs at the bottom, along with a USB-C port for charging and data and the volume knob on the top. The inclusion of a physical volume knob is a welcome addition, offering a more tactile and precise control over volume compared to buttons. The overall design is clean and functional, though some might find it a bit understated.











Settings and Functions:

You can access the settings of the dongle by long pressing the volume knob. Navigating the settings was a breeze and never did I feel that it was clunky.

EQ: Normal, Class, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Bass, Movie and Game - I rarely saw myself using different EQ modes. I kept this 99.9% of the time in Normal mode.
SDF Tone tuning: Normal, IER-M9, IER-Z1R, SE846, IE800s, Xelento, IE600, IE900, Traillii Ti, N5005, HD800, Utopia.
Gain: High & Low
Digital Filter: Fast, Slow, NOS, LL Fast, LL Slow
HID Key: ON/OFF
3.5mm Spdif: ON/OFF
LP Tune: Tune 01 (Gentle) & Tune 02 (Refined)
PA Voltage Adjust: +/- 4.5V & +/- 6V

Specifications: It's unusual of me to mention specifications in my review but I'm making an exception here because there are a few aspects in terms of power that L&P heavily relied on which I'll be talking about in the review.



Drivability and Pairing:

L&P boldly claims that the W2 Ultra can drive even demanding headphones like the Sennheiser HD800. In my testing, I found this to be largely true however the sonic aspect of this pairing was not something that I really liked.
For iPhone users (prior to iPhone 15 models), the W2 Ultra requires a Lightning port Apple camera kit with external power to unlock its full potential. This is due to power limitations on older iPhones.

• IEMs: The W2 Ultra had no trouble driving any of my IEMs, from sensitive multi-driver models to more power-hungry single dynamic driver ones. There was plenty of headroom, and I never felt like I was lacking in volume or the high power output introduced any noise floor. The background was absolutely silent however you need to ensure that voltage is set to +/- 4.5V.
• Low Impedance Headphones: The W2 Ultra handled low-impedance headphones like the ZMF Bokeh (80 ohms) with ease. The sound was dynamic and engaging, with no signs of strain.
• High Impedance Headphones: This is where the W2 Ultra truly shines in terms of drivability. It drove my Sennheiser HD600/650/800 & Atrium (300 ohms) to satisfying listening levels with plenty of headroom to spare on +/- 6V setting. While it might not extract the absolute last drop of performance from the HD800, it certainly delivers a decent listening experience. Headphone and amplifier pairings often come down to synergy. The HD800, with its analytical and detailed sound signature, might not be the most ideal match for the W2 Ultra's slightly warm and smooth character. It did not have the same level of control and grip over the Atrium's and HD800's drivers as a more powerful desktop amp. This resulted in a slightly less dynamic and impactful sound, particularly in complex musical passages with wide dynamic swings. It did however pair better with HD600/650.
• To put any questions to rest about limitation in the power being drawn from my Pixel 9 Pro XL and CMF Phone 1, I used iBasso's CB19 cable with only data being taken from Pixel/CMF and power from Anker's 24,000 mAh power bank which definitely improved the sound and control over the drivers however the drawbacks mentioned above remained to a certain extent.
• Planar Magnetic Headphones: I tested the W2 Ultra with the Hifiman HE500 (38 ohms) and Aeon 2 Noire (13 Ohms), and it could drive them to decent volumes. The W2 Ultra's slight mid-bass warmth actually complemented these headphones, adding a bit more weight and punch to the low end without sacrificing clarity or control. The control is generally good, with planar drivers benefiting from the W2 Ultra's clean and accurate signal.

Sound Analysis:

The W2 Ultra provides a refined and revealing audio experience, going beyond simply playing the music to uncover subtle nuances and deliver a natural, engaging presentation.

Tonality:

The overall tonality is neutral, but with a touch of warmth in the mid-bass that adds a subtle richness without coloring the sound. This balanced approach prevents any single frequency range from dominating, resulting in a presentation that's both accurate and engaging.

Sub Bass:

The sub-bass extension is remarkable, reaching deep with authority and control. This translates to excellent low-frequency extension, a tight and controlled bass response, minimal distortion, and accurate reproduction of sub-bass textures and nuances. In "Angel" by Massive Attack, the deep, synthesized bass lines rumble with impressive texture and nuance, showcasing this depth. Similarly, the powerful sub-bass in "Why So Serious?" from The Dark Knight soundtrack is rendered with impactful clarity, free from any roll-off or muddiness, demonstrating the W2 Ultra's ability to handle demanding low-frequency content.

Mid Bass:

The mid-bass is subtly elevated, providing a satisfying weight and punch to the music without becoming overbearing. This results in a slight mid-bass emphasis, well-controlled bass response, good transient response, and accurate reproduction of mid-bass textures and details. Kick drums in "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons hit with a satisfying thud, while the bass guitar in "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac maintains excellent definition and texture. This lift in the mid-bass adds a pleasing fullness to the sound without ever becoming boomy or masking other frequencies.

Lower Midrange:

The lower midrange excels in its naturalness, detail, and accurate reproduction of instrumental and vocal timbres, achieved through a linear frequency response in the lower midrange, low distortion, and accurate reproduction of harmonics and overtones. Male vocals in "No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley are reproduced with a rich, warm tone and a nuanced texture that captures the emotion of his performance. Instruments in this range, such as those in "Hotel California" by the Eagles, are presented with a realistic timbre and weight.

Upper Midrange:

The upper midrange is generally smooth and detailed but can occasionally exhibit a slight recession. This translates to a generally linear frequency response in the upper midrange with good detail retrieval, but a possible slight dip in certain frequencies. While clear and articulate, vocals in "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles may lack some of the forwardness and presence heard with other sources. However, the W2 Ultra handles complex vocal harmonies in tracks like "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen with impressive clarity and detail, showcasing its capability in this range despite the occasional dip.

Lower Treble:

The lower treble is well-extended and detailed, bringing out the shimmer and sparkle in cymbals and percussion instruments. This is crucial for achieving a sense of air and realism in the music and is achieved through an extended frequency response in the lower treble, good resolution of high-frequency details, and a controlled treble response to avoid harshness or sibilance. Cymbal crashes in "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck are rendered with accuracy and finesse, while the gated reverb drums in "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins are reproduced with striking clarity, highlighting the subtle nuances of the recording.

Upper Treble:

The upper treble extends smoothly, contributing to a sense of air and spaciousness in the music without introducing any harshness or sibilance. This is thanks to a smooth and extended frequency response in the upper treble and good resolution of high-frequency details. High-frequency details in "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy are reproduced with clarity and refinement, while the violin in "Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor" by Max Bruch is presented with exceptional detail and airiness.

Staging:

The soundstage is wide and deep, with precise imaging that allows for accurate instrument placement within the stereo field. This results in a spacious and well-defined stereo image. This is evident in tracks like "Baba O'Riley" by The Who, where the individual instruments are clearly separated and defined. However, as is often the case with dongle DAC/amps, the height of the soundstage is somewhat limited.

Layering and Separation:

Even in complex musical passages, the W2 Ultra excels at layering and separation, allowing the listener to discern individual instruments and vocal lines with ease. This is achieved through excellent instrument separation, clear delineation of individual musical lines, and the ability to handle complex musical passages without congestion. Individual instruments and vocal harmonies in "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen are clearly delineated, contributing to a more engaging and immersive listening experience.

Timbre:

Instruments and vocals are reproduced with a natural and realistic timbre, free from any artificial coloration or digital artifacts. This contributes to a natural and lifelike sound. Acoustic guitars in "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton have an authentic resonance and warmth, while vocals in "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen are presented with a lifelike quality that conveys the emotion of his performance.

Detail Retrieval:

The W2 Ultra is a highly resolving device, capable of uncovering subtle nuances and micro-details in recordings, resulting in a revealing and nuanced presentation. Listening to "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles, the W2 Ultra reveals a wealth of subtle textures and micro-details, adding a new dimension to the listening experience.

Micro Dynamics:

The W2 Ultra excels at capturing the subtle variations in volume and intensity within a musical performance. This contributes to a more nuanced and engaging listening experience and is achieved through accurate reproduction of subtle dynamic variations, high sensitivity to low-level signals, and a nuanced and expressive presentation. This is evident in the nuanced vocal delivery in "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, where the W2 Ultra faithfully reproduces the subtle changes in his voice.

Macro Dynamics:

The W2 Ultra handles macro dynamics with skill, effortlessly conveying the dynamic swings between loud and quiet passages. This adds excitement and realism to the music and is achieved through a wide dynamic range and the ability to handle large dynamic swings without compression or distortion. This contributes to a more engaging and impactful listening experience, as demonstrated in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss, where the dramatic shifts in volume are reproduced with accuracy and authority.

W2 Ultra Tune 01 vs Tune 02:

The W2 Ultra offers two distinct tuning options, allowing for a tailored listening experience. These "tunes" are essentially different digital filters that subtly shape the frequency response and overall presentation of the DAC/amp.

Tune 01: The Musical One

• Sound Signature: Tune 01 leans towards a warmer and smoother presentation with a focus on musicality and engagement.
• Bass: Slightly warmer and fuller compared to Tune 02, with a bit more emphasis in the mid-bass region. This adds a sense of weight and impact to the music.
• Midrange: Smooth and natural, with a slight emphasis on the lower midrange. This adds warmth and body to vocals and instruments.
• Treble: Slightly rolled off compared to Tune 02, resulting in a smoother and less fatiguing presentation.
• Soundstage: Slightly narrower and less deep compared to Tune 02, but still respectable.
• Overall Impression: Tune 01 is a more forgiving and engaging tuning that prioritizes musicality and a smoother presentation. It's well-suited for genres like pop, rock, and electronic music where a warmer and more impactful sound is desired.

Tune 02: The Analytical One

• Sound Signature: Tune 02 offers a more analytical and revealing sound signature. It emphasizes detail retrieval and clarity across the frequency spectrum.
• Bass: Tight and controlled, with a focus on accuracy and texture. Sub-bass extension is excellent, and mid-bass has a slight emphasis for added punch.
• Midrange: Neutral and transparent, with a focus on detail retrieval. Vocals and instruments are presented with accuracy and clarity.
• Treble: Extended and detailed, with a slight emphasis on the upper treble. This adds air and sparkle to the sound but can occasionally result in a touch of sibilance with certain recordings.
• Soundstage: Wide and deep, with precise imaging. The soundstage is slightly more expansive with Tune 02 compared to Tune 01.
• Overall Impression: Tune 02 is ideal for those who prioritize detail retrieval, clarity, and a spacious soundstage. It's particularly well-suited for genres like classical, jazz, and acoustic music where accuracy and nuance are paramount.

Conclusion:

L&P W2 Ultra is a highly capable dongle DAC/amp that delivers a refined and detailed sound signature. It's capable of driving a wide range of headphones, including demanding high-impedance models. While it might not be the absolute last word in terms of driving power for headphones, its overall performance is impressive. With its excellent technical capabilities, natural timbre, and wide soundstage, the W2 Ultra is a worthy contender in the high-end dongle market.