Regarding mp3 playback, I found this post on Quora (of all places) and I thoroughly enjoyed the passion as well as the no BS sentiment behind the post (dated 03/17). I cannot say that I find the character of the V20 "warm" however, but that's the only statement I cannot second:
LG V20 uses 4 DACs of ESS Sabre 9218 type , that shares the same architecture (hyperstream II ) of ESS Sabre PRO 9038 , a Desktop DAC , YET to be available in any High-End Audio Equipment . The mere implementation of this DAC in portable device is a feat of its own (ibasso DX200 (DAP) has attempted using 9038 but it is yet to become available , while the implementation being Very Buggy)
But , LG ALSO used an Headphone Amp along with the DAC , extending its headphone driving capabilities upto about 600 ohm (aka very high) , Something MOST PRO DAPs (Astell n Kern , Fiio , Sony ZX2 , Onkyo , Opus , Lotoo etc etc ) Cant do , requiring an EXTRA headphone Amp .
The Combination of DAC + Headphone Amp , in a single device , as used in LG V20 can Possibly Only be matched with Mojo DAC (Portable of Hugo platform).
Set Aside the HardWare Chitchatter . They are for only but gawking at , IF the experience is not proportional.
My personal Experience - From Stings ‘Fragile' to Chers ‘Rain , Rain' ; From The Cranberries. ‘When You're Gone' to Avrils ‘When You're Gone' (lol!) ; From Bonjovi ‘Lie to me' to Cher ‘Lie to me' , Agnes ‘I Believe' to Holly Starr ‘I Believe' , Or even Ed Sheeran ‘Fall' to Inna ‘Fall' …..I tested this device THOROGHLY through and through ..
My Schiit Modi+Magni Desktop FAILED to bring OUT the ORGANIC details embedded in the 320kbps CBR mp3s , that LG V20 OVERWHELMINGLY delivered each time , Even at Much lower volume , when using its FANTASTIC ‘high-impedance mode' with Soundmagic E80c (A reference grade IEM)
It finally got proved to me that the LG Implementation of Mp3 UPSCALING was Indeed successful and MUCH better that Sony DSEE HX implementation of similar kind.
So , the Answer to Your Question is , Yeah , I totally Disagree with most Answers here , As I tested the device firsthand for Days , LG INDEED WILL improve Sound of Mp3s , You Will hear Many more Intricate details , previously unheard by you , More Layering , Better Separation , Sufficient Sibilance , All being presented in A warm , musical Background , given you use ‘high impedance mode' in it .
(Thanks to Original Poster B.R.A.T.)
Initially , i doesn't find the sonic characteristic signature on the V20 as being warm as compared to my previous HTC one ,
playing through on my 41 ohms on both streaming apps ( Spotify ) stock player + Hifi dac enable , without applying any preset eq or 3rd party eq , that was initially before using the trickery .
After using the trickery to switch the V20 into high impedance gain mode and the help from 3rd party equalizer apps tuned it to perfect it with my 41ohms , it all change , probably artificial changes cos I rely heavily equalizing for most of my music , but it all change for the better , I can feel the warmth , full bodied , analytical at the same time .
High impedance mode holds the key for under 50ohms .
I don't know the rationale behind LG opt to implement the sensing thing on the impedance over fixed output is the correct way of doing it , but it definitely helps if LG comes out with a interface which allows users to flip the switch instead of the sensor thing .
Imagine if one own a high end 30ohm iem which cost over 2k dollars purchase the V20 for serious audiophile , and find out that the device doesn't allow the user to power it up to push the iem to its potential due to a restriction on impedance , unless the user change gear .
Fortunately , there's the trickery , and the root method fix to overcome the sensor thing . Without the trick and root fix to solve the impedance problem , no matter how good the V20 is .. for me there is no value .
Interested in this phone both to replace nexus 5 as well as mojo/ipod brick
Hi , given if you use high impedance mode on it , go for it .
For me , The V20 is a true 1 device 1 headset for on the go , initially on first heard I was very disappointing . Due to my iem is under 50ohms , so unable to switch into high impedance mode , that satisfying moment kicks in after I use the trick to switch to high impedance mode .
it had worked so well for the past 2days for me, in high impedance mode on , there's more than enough output power to drive my iem without having a external amp and powerbank along with me , ( V20 on high impedance mode doesn't need the help of a external amp )
just a additional piece of spare battery ( which comes as a gift from LG with the purchase of V20 ) in my left pocket can lasted me a whole day .