[JelStIy]

Answering my own question: A2C really sounds much closer to what I prefer but W2 is too weak for these unfortunately requiring 80+ in high gain so unlistenable on iOS due to clipping.

I like the Focal Celestee with the W2 but they are not foldable and I do EQ them. If you only have the stock lightning cable, I’d definitely try one of the aftermarket ones like Penon or the Apple camera connector.

 

[vanez1985]

That's why we use dongles. Dongles bypass the onboard DAC of phones, but the inherent issue with iPhones is the low voltage they pump through their USB port. Also, I can assure you that my DAC on my V60, far surpasses that of any iPhone

If you take a closer look on W2 screen while playing lossless/hi-res content from any native streaming app (Tidal / Amazon / Qobuz etc.) you'll notice that regardless of input sampling rate you see in a player (44.1/48/88.2/96/192 etc.) Android resamples that to 48. It has nothing to with phone DAC but only with OS sound subsystem only a few apps can bypass (e.g. UAPP/Neutron) with many restrictions like inability to play offline cached content.

iOS had many flaws in its own, but this issue just doesn't exist there.

 

[Babayagga]

If you take a closer look on W2 screen while playing lossless/hi-res content from any native streaming app (Tidal / Amazon / Qobuz etc.) you'll notice that regardless of input sampling rate you see in a player (44.1/48/88.2/96/192 etc.) Android resamples that to 48. It has nothing to with phone DAC but only with OS sound subsystem only a few apps can bypass (e.g. UAPP/Neutron) with many restrictions like inability to play offline cached content.

iOS had many flaws in its own, but this issue just doesn't exist there.

Hence the reason I use UAPP

 

[vanez1985]

Btw, both AT W900 and AP2000Ti do sound very nice with W2 while being very different: former has a "fun" V-shaped sound well suited for modern music while latter is much more neutral and detailed, sounding great with calm and acoustic tracks, less so with energetic music.

 

[FooFighter]

Anyone tried Apple Music lossless Android App (available through apk store) and checked if resampling issue is existing there too?

 

[vanez1985]

Anyone tried Apple Music lossless Android App (available through apk store) and checked if resampling issue is existing there too?

I can try if you point me to a right store

UPD: just checked, everything gets resampled into 48/24 as expected

 

[Gus141]

Just a little "hack" (as the kids say) for those of you struggling with usb c cables disconnecting because they wobble, however slightly - a real problem with external dacs and one that I suffered 3 times on the way to work, and twice at work. Enough to make me scream - albeit silently. Until I tried this...

Get an old set of silicon ear tips. Cut off about 2mm from the nozzle (the end that goes over the earphone). Put this over the usb c connecter and push it down till it's flush with the bottom of the connecter (the plastic bit). Make sure it's pretty even all round. Should be about 0.5-1mm of silicon once it's stretched out. Do this for both ends of the usb c cable. Presto, you have a stable usb c cable connection. At least I did. You may need to play a bit with the width of the silicon. Hope it works for you and helps prevent the disconnect plague. Apologies is this is well-known. - it's new to me. Now my ddhifi cable works! Currently listening to the W2 using the stock cable, which has always been utter c**p. Indeed, 4 rubbish cables now have new life (for how long, who knows, but I've no shortage of eartips to cut up - who on this forum doesn't have plenty of those!).

Awesome tip! Thanks! Worked great with 2 problem cables (which included the white cable included with the W2). Cheers.

 

[rmkjr]

Only a few detections, but has anyone seen any issues with the updater software?
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file...8b5870371982ef3e43ca165482804a4fec0/detection

 

[Gus141]

I didn’t know the clear front panel was glass. I dropped the W2 from a height of about 2 feet onto a desk and the glass cracked and flacked off a bit. Be careful folks. Maybe that silicone case isn’t a bad idea after all.

 

[sirmrdoctor]

Only a few detections, but has anyone seen any issues with the updater software?
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file...8b5870371982ef3e43ca165482804a4fec0/detection

Yikes, so this page indicates that W1_V1.0.2.6 (06032021) has those three viruses/malware?

 

[musicday]

I didn’t know the clear front panel was glass. I dropped the W2 from a height of about 2 feet onto a desk and the glass cracked and flacked off a bit. Be careful folks. Maybe that silicone case isn’t a bad idea after all.

Sorry to hear that. I mentioned about the silicone case weeks ago, so everyone should order one asap

 

[bluestorm1992]

Sorry to hear that. I mentioned about the silicone case weeks ago, so everyone should order one asap

I saw some rumors that LP will be launching their own case very soon! Will keep everyone posted as I have been following their Chinese social media.

 

[snapandslide]

I saw some rumors that LP will be launching their own case very soon! Will keep everyone posted as I have been following their Chinese social media.

Got to be something to worth me bothering to upgrade from the silicone one @musicday found. I'd maybe like a screen protector, but otherwise I think I'm good. I've been taking it with me as I am now working out of a co-working space and not home and it really is perfect to carry around. Also sounds good with the N3s I'm using it with at the moment.

 

[rmkjr]

Yikes, so this page indicates that W1_V1.0.2.6 (06032021) has those three viruses/malware?

The firmware file came back fine, just the exe for Windows is what that page was for. With how few engines had signatures that picked up on an issue, it could just be some heuristics false positives. Always warry of binaries from Chinese companies, no matter how great the products may be. Just means I will probably update the firmware using an offline machine that I wipe after, or a VM without any network connectivity. Coming from an Lotoo PAW S1, I far preferred that update process.

 

[Kiats]

I am astonished by the SQ of the W2! Thanks to @bluestorm1992 for his recommendation!