Lotoo PAW S1 - Designed for HIFI on the go with Lotoo PAW quality and the first USB DAC-AMP with dual 3.5mm & 4.4mm output

[jburks725]

Good to know. The other part is the impedance. I’ve read the andromeda doesn’t play well with certain sources, causing bloated bass.

Using the SE out, I will say the S1 on Low Gain into my Andromeda 2020 sounds great. I don’t think I hear any bloat with the right EFX mode. Sure, the bass boost profile sounds bloated, but on None or Dental, I am quite happy.

 

[Cat Music]

I don't know if they already shared this review, but reading it was interesting, so just in case I leave the link here:

https://sandalaudio.blogspot.com/2020/06/lotoo-paw-s1-usb-dac.html?m=1

 

[abitdeef]

That was a fun read until I got to the fiio m6, hip dac and sony nwa, series bass. I find the bass on the S1 to be full and powerful. Hip dac has more power but I found it to sound a bit muddy to my ears and it doesn't have the holographic slant that the S1 does.

I just think the S1 outclasses those rather easily, except for driving power of hip dac. Ive had every Sony up to the wm1a and I'd put the s1 on par with well with the wm1a.

Sounds like he likes more mids upfront focused warmer sound. Heck I even thought dragonfly red sounded better than quite a few daps despite not having a battery on board.

 

[Metalboyy]

Picked it up yesterday. I could use it for 30min and now the cable does not work anymore. Only if I use it at a weird angle. Really liked what I was hearing during the 30min.

 

[hakunamakaka]

That was a fun read until I got to the fiio m6, hip dac and sony nwa, series bass. I find the bass on the S1 to be full and powerful. Hip dac has more power but I found it to sound a bit muddy to my ears and it doesn't have the holographic slant that the S1 does.

I just think the S1 outclasses those rather easily, except for driving power of hip dac. Ive had every Sony up to the wm1a and I'd put the s1 on par with well with the wm1a.

Sounds like he likes more mids upfront focused warmer sound. Heck I even thought dragonfly red sounded better than quite a few daps despite not having a battery on board.

While DFR improves sound over the phone it sounds a bit edgy for me. It definitely can't match S1 when testing with my hp, S1 even outclassed my HA2 which I had to put on ebay. It was only better in power output, maybe a tad cleaner sound, but whole sound presentation on well mastered tracks is just on another level with S1. Having volume control only on S1 while using with iOS is a bit annoying, but if as someone says it sends bit-perfect signal to dac and improves the sound, than I'm happy with such implementation

 

[musicday]

Lotoo PAW S1 leather case is already available to buy in China: www.jd.com

 

[abitdeef]

Lotoo PAW S1 leather case is already available to buy in China: www.jd.com

No I want a fitted one with cut outs. But thnx.

 

[jibberish]

No I want a fitted one with cut outs. But thnx.

Ha, I'm with you there.

I continue to be impressed with the sound of the S1. Definitely has a more "musical" feel than my other sources (Radsone ES100 and Khadas Tone Board + JDS Atom). The S1 really makes my ER2XR and ER4XR sing in high gain mode. ER4XR in particular really comes alive, feels more dynamic compared to when I use ER4XR on other sources.

 

[abitdeef]

Ha, I'm with you there.

I continue to be impressed with the sound of the S1. Definitely has a more "musical" feel than my other sources (Radsone ES100 and Khadas Tone Board + JDS Atom). The S1 really makes my ER2XR and ER4XR sing in high gain mode. ER4XR in particular really comes alive, feels more dynamic compared to when I use ER4XR on other sources.

It's a very natural, accurate sound thats very clean yet doesn't sound digital. This is my second item from lotoo and I'm impressed by the sound and build quality.

They don't under engineer their less expensive stuff, they extract everything they can get out of the dac and amp circuit. So the 165 dollar S1 sounds very close to the 1200 dollar paw 6000.

 

[Aradea]

Guys,

I have a couple of questions and I'd appreciate your answers:
1. Not sure if I missed this, but has anyone compared the S1 to the sonata HD pro?
2. As I own the sonata HD pro and I think it is sufficient to drive my HE4xx, do you think that the S1 can drive the HE4xx as well?

 

[hakunamakaka]

Guys,

I have a couple of questions and I'd appreciate your answers:
1. Not sure if I missed this, but has anyone compared the S1 to the sonata HD pro?
2. As I own the sonata HD pro and I think it is sufficient to drive my HE4xx, do you think that the S1 can drive the HE4xx as well?

I’m surprised that sonata hd pro can drive he4xx...If i’m looking at correct product.. usb dongle sonata hd pro, S1 will have more power via balanced output than sonata, though dongles are not meant to drive such full sized cans. SQ wise I can’t comment, but I could bet money that S1 would win in contest

 

[Aradea]

I’m surprised that sonata hd pro can drive he4xx...If i’m looking at correct product.. usb dongle sonata hd pro, S1 will have more power via balanced output than sonata, though dongles are not meant to drive such full sized cans. SQ wise I can’t comment, but I could bet money that S1 would win in contest

Yeah you are correct, I was referring to the usb dongle sonata HD pro. I am not hearing HE4xx is underpowered with it, bit of course there are many amps that could do the job better.
I am also guessing that the balance output of the S1 is the only way to go to have a chance to drive the HE4xx.. I am just wondering if people here have experiences driving planars with the S1

 

[hakunamakaka]

Yeah you are correct, I was referring to the usb dongle sonata HD pro. I am not hearing HE4xx is underpowered with it, bit of course there are many amps that could do the job better.
I am also guessing that the balance output of the S1 is the only way to go to have a chance to drive the HE4xx.. I am just wondering if people here have experiences driving planars with the S1

Balanced output is nearly as twice as power-full as single ended on S1. I have pm-3 planars and even using them with S1 via unbalanced 3.5mm jack has more than enough power to drive them, though pm3's are quite easy to drive. Honestly I don't think Sonata HD pro can have a chance against S1. S1 is not very transparent dongle for me as my oppo Ha2, it goes more towards warmer signature and it beats HA2 in size, SQ, better sense of space. Of all dongles, portable dac/amps I had S1 is the king for me so far

 

[eloelo]

This dongle is really something. I recently ABed it with Paw 6000, trying both their 4.4mm output. It is less warm than Paw 6000 at its default setting (using UAPP bit perfect on Samsung S9). Paw 6000 has several DAC filters but it is still warmer at its least warm filter. I prefered S1 to 6000. S1 is slightly less laidback sounding, and matches very well with my QDC 8CL. Pretty detailed, Thick enough to satisfy, Airy enough to prevent it from being congested sounding. Also preferred it to DAPs Cayin N6ii, Opus #2, DX160, DX220 (default), R5, Shanling M0 and dongles Sonata HD Pro, Meizu Pro, Apple dongle, E1DA G3, BTR5. I could see it sapping my phone's battery more than I hope for, but I took the dive and ordered one =)

 

[abitdeef]

This dongle is really something. I recently ABed it with Paw 6000, trying both their 4.4mm output. It is less warm than Paw 6000 at its default setting (using UAPP bit perfect on Samsung S9). Paw 6000 has several DAC filters but it is still warmer at its least warm filter. I prefered S1 to 6000. S1 is slightly less laidback sounding, and matches very well with my QDC 8CL. Pretty detailed, Thick enough to satisfy, Airy enough to prevent it from being congested sounding. Also preferred it to DAPs Cayin N6ii, Opus #2, DX160, DX220 (default), R5, Shanling M0 and dongles Sonata HD Pro, Meizu Pro, Apple dongle, E1DA G3, BTR5. I could see it sapping my phone's battery more than I hope for, but I took the dive and ordered one =)

I've had all of the daps you mentioned except opus #2 and I agree. Dongles I've only had dfr and btr5 and I liked the sound of S1 better. Getting ED1A g3 to test soon. But I love the S1.