#The PRO is Coming #The Core Technology of Luxury&Precision's P6 Pro – FPGA Applications
Previously, we introduced one of the core components of the P6 Pro: high-precision matched resistors. In this article, we will discuss another critical part -- the Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
About three years ago, when we worked on the LP6 series, FPGA chips were still relatively unfamiliar to many audiophiles. At that time, we wrote three articles about FPGAs that briefly introduced their powerful functionalities and applications. With the release of the LP6 series that utilized large-scale industrial-grade FPGA from Intel, the word "FPGA" is no longer unfamiliar. The increasing application of FPGAs in other music players even create an impression that FPGA embed is equivalent to high performance. Due to many queries from audiophile communities about FPGA used in P6 Pro, let us dive into the answers in detail below.
FPGA≠High Performance
Luxury&Precision has used FPGA as a part of the high-precision and low-phase noise clock source since its first product – LP5, and used it for I2S protocol decoding as well. Later products, including the L series of L5, L3, L6, and L4, high-end LP6, P6 series, and new ultra-portable W series, all have built-in FPGAs. However, FPGA is just a programmable or expandable chip used in digital processing rather than analog components that are more closely related to sound quality, such as resistors, filter capacitors, and amplifiers. Implementation of FPGAs does not represent high performance at the sound quality level. Thus, it is a groundless misconception that "a player with FPGA is a high-end player."
FPGA=High Potential
FPGA chips' presence does not mean that the player has high performance and good listening experience, but the ability to implement FPGA applications reflects the design capability of a manufacturer. FPGA in P6 Pro mainly undertakes the following 7 tasks:
1. Linear compensation of discrete R-2R DAC;
2. Low-level logic processing of discrete R-2R DAC;
3. S/PDIF OUT function;
4. I2S protocol decoding and recoding;
5. The high-precision and low-phase noise external clock connected to the FPGA is used as the master clock and feed to the discrete R2R DAC, which is generally referred to as "FPGA MASTER";
6. The high-precision and low-phase noise external clock connected to the FPGA is used as the main clock and feed to the Bluetooth module;
7. Use FPGA built-in DSP resources to do high-performance digital processing for specifically customized sound tuning and optimization of different earphones.
The listed functions above are "indirectly" contributes to the distortion and sound, which plays a significant role in overall performance.
FPGA≠Marketing Gimmick
Although most of our team members have technical backgrounds, they are also audiophiles who love music. In order to play music on the go with outstanding acoustic and musicality, we focus on DAP optimization by utilizing the power of FPGAs. It can be said that the experience in the development and use of FPGAs is a valuable asset of Luxury&Precision. After 4 years of R&D, the LP6 series has established a partnership with Intel to have an ultra-large-scale FPGA embedded. Our in-depth utilization of the FPGA has been recognized and appreciated by the most discerning audiophiles with pick tastes. According to Mr. Wan, we were "experienced and professional" in handling large-scale FPGAs to release their full potentials even before the development of the P6 Pro.
!!! Both are R2R for digital players with one being discrete and 1 with IC chips based. So much innovations coming from mainland China in the modern worlds, even in this niche hobby, the Chinese isn’t slowing down. I can’t imagine what else is out there that they are eagerly to continue their innovation, creativities, and inventions !!! For all of what China has been doing, the world seem standing still
They are taking small steps, but at least it shows they are listening. BT Rx with LDAC support in P6/Pro is a biggie, even LP6 Gold/Ti doesn't support that. And so does finally being able to touch swipe through a song to fast forward, even if it is a smaller area for swiping - I still take it!!! I hope with more people outside of mainland China getting their hands on these DAPs, L&P will pay closer attention to feedback from their international customers and hopefully we will see more updates and improvements related to the interface. Other than that, nothing much to complain about. It's a solid device with a solid design and a solid audio performance.
