Luxury & Precision (LP) Portable USB DAC/AMP W1 and W2 (The new W2-131 Version is Available, Related Info on Post #1)

[bnupy]

Does the uapp bitperfect do anything different on Android as opposed to running tidal/qobuz out of iPhone with the W-2?

 

[FooFighter]

Yep
W2 + C9 at 100% is sounding decent for a portable good sounding setup if your phone's battery can afford it...
For now testing Trailli, quickly put the Full Size Denons on too - definitely better now with that amp in place

 

[Ufanco]

I updated to the moondrop variation, with better earphones really notice how well the w2 improves the sound quality. Made me realize how much I been missing out compared to my previous setup. I also switched to apply music and noticed a huge Improvement on battery life on both phone and iPad. Neutron app was a power hog granted the settings on it are great and did improve the sound quality with my old earphones. Now with the W2, moondrops and Apple Music I no longer need it.

 

[Headcan]

@bluestorm1992

Followed the steps for firmware update, however omitted the check for firmware version. Only now figured out how to do that. It shows Ver 1.0.20

Installed LuxuryPrecision_setup_WHQL_20210510.exe driver - I'm running WIN10, ran FW update tool (ISP_Tool.exe) with FW file (W1_V1.0.2.6_AS.bin) and proceeded with updating the firmware on my W2 with W1_V1.0.2.6_AS.bin by hitting Auto button.

Then got the "Blanking Fail" as in photo attached and now device is no longer recognised in WIN10. I have unpacked the rescue driver files and installed "InstallDriver.exe, but uncertain on how to proceed from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


EDIT - Phew, got it working on another PC by flashing to W1_V1.0.2.1 first and then W1_V1.0.2.6_AS

 

[Ufanco]

@bluestorm1992

Followed the steps for firmware update, however omitted the check for firmware version. Only now figured out how to do that. It shows Ver 1.0.20

Installed LuxuryPrecision_setup_WHQL_20210510.exe driver - I'm running WIN10, ran FW update tool (ISP_Tool.exe) with FW file (W1_V1.0.2.6_AS.bin) and proceeded with updating the firmware on my W2 with W1_V1.0.2.6_AS.bin by hitting Auto button.

Then got the "Blanking Fail" as in photo attached and now device is no longer recognised in WIN10. I have unpacked the rescue driver files and installed "InstallDriver.exe, but uncertain on how to proceed from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


EDIT - Phew, got it working on another PC by flashing to W1_V1.0.2.1 first and then W1_V1.0.2.6_AS

Ran into that when updated mine after trying couple of times I removing the drivers from L&P and it installed with NP. With windows 10 I don’t think you need to install drivers. Was using friends computer so I didn't want take the time to try to troubleshoot things. The little I did was to check device manager after installing L&P driver and found it was throwing up the ! On them. Reinstalled same deal removed and things worked.

 

[bnupy]

Luxury and precision W2.

It's a dongle. It's a fairly neutral sound signature and lets you change the sound through tonality, filter and other things. Most of these changes have effects like make the treble less harsh or more subbass or add distortion (I think some people comment the NOS filter is Tubey, I'm not that experienced to comment) and other things. A bit of experimentation brought me to the type of sound I like(mentioned at the end).

It's a step above the lotoo paw s1 I had an impression of earlier. The paw s1 is far more thicker in the bass region but it emphasizes the midbass ( a feeling of a looser bass) and slightly recesses the treble and it's a matter of synergy with that dongle (mostly a bright iem/headphone with less bass benefit). Back to the W2 its a way wider staging, resolution, the bass is quite tight and it doesn't reach the same level of warmth as the s1. It however feels like that imaging gets slightly stretched in the presentation, but it's not overtly bad as the way that sounds.

It's an expensive dongle (299$ usually) , thats actually pretty good. I know the price tag is much, but stay with me if you can. It's a bit amazing that this dongle can sound close to a midtier dap like dx160 (recalling by memory ), and this may not be the one for a power hungry headphone (it runs my elex just fine). This did not replace my ifi idsd signature (it loses in resolution, imaging and bass, actually a tough act to follow considering the features and price of the signature).
This is however a current replacement for daps for me as well as a source, when my signature is out of charge.


Here are my preferences
IER M9 | Tone 01, Filter Fast
Porta Pro + Yaxi | Tone 02, Filter Fast LL
Prisma Azul | Tone 01, Filter NOS
Elex | Tone 02, Filter Fast LL

 

[bluestorm1992]

Someone asked in the thread about the use of W2’s SPDIF mode, here is one example. I have the Fiio BTA30 to allow high quality Bluetooth streaming from my Mac mini. However, it can do LDAC high-res streaming only if I use its SPDIF input. So, now W2 serves as the converter between my Mac Mini and BTA30. You will need an extra cable (3.5mm to coax), which you can get from Amazon.

 

[ZachPtheDude]

I got an extra penon type c to lightning silver plated copper cable, am gonna let it go for $25 shipped, if anyone wants to save a couple bucks and avoid the wait on overseas shipping message me!

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/penon-8-core-silver-plated-copper-lightning-to-usb-c-cable.7490/

ended up getting an xDuoo X10t ii to use with it instead of my phone

 

[Frainen]

I went through quite a journey to discover what would be my most appropriate setup when commuting or just outside.
Used DAPs but ended up not liking to pack one more device, most of the time with outdated Android OS.
Tried the AudioQuest Dragon Fly Cobalt, the Razer Onyx, the Paw s1, but at the end, the W2 is with me everyday.

-Practical cause you can change the USB cable and it is type C, so smaller form factor
-You can control the volume on the device, so no more accident like it can happen with the Dragon Fly and its stupid high volume
-A decent screen to get the information you need
-It has a 4.4m output.

Sound wise, I ended up preferring it to my Fiio M15.
I consider it neutral with no lack in Bass, Mid, Treble.
I have trouble to explain the sound signature cause it is not impacting the songs as much as other dACs, and it is maybe why I love it so much.

I ended up ordering another one from Andrew as I consider it my must have device for travel.
Pairing very well with the C9 as many have already said.

 

[sanakimpro]

I went through quite a journey to discover what would be my most appropriate setup when commuting or just outside.
Used DAPs but ended up not liking to pack one more device, most of the time with outdated Android OS.
Tried the AudioQuest Dragon Fly Cobalt, the Razer Onyx, the Paw s1, but at the end, the W2 is with me everyday.

-Practical cause you can change the USB cable and it is type C, so smaller form factor
-You can control the volume on the device, so no more accident like it can happen with the Dragon Fly and its stupid high volume
-A decent screen to get the information you need
-It has a 4.4m output.

Sound wise, I ended up preferring it to my Fiio M15.
I consider it neutral with no lack in Bass, Mid, Treble.
I have trouble to explain the sound signature cause it is not impacting the songs as much as other dACs, and it is maybe why I love it so much.

I ended up ordering another one from Andrew as I consider it my must have device for travel.
Pairing very well with the C9 as many have already said.

It's comments like this that make me end up ordering the W2 on top of my excellent PAW S1. C9 out of my league though

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Frainen]

It's comments like this that make me end up ordering the W2 on top of my excellent PAW S1. C9 out of my league though

Thanks for sharing!

Don't worry for the C9, it is good, but not such a game changer. Moreover as you will very unlikely carry that when walking.
If you plan to use IEM with the W2 and not so into Tube amp, you will be more than fine with the W2.

 

[newyou]

This is a pretty random question but... would the w2 work with a Nintendo switch?

 

[ZachPtheDude]

This is a pretty random question but... would the w2 work with a Nintendo switch?

presently no, but a firmware update in the future might change it from what I’ve read.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Good choice and yep that's a known issue with W2

I picked up a decent type C cable on Amazon so I could use my gen.4 iPad Pro, wow!!! I was using my iPhone Max and the differences in noise floor and timbre are startling!

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Exactly what I did. I went from the A&K SE200 to iPhone & W2 and sold the A&K. I couldn’t be happier with the snappy and beautiful UI of the iPhone. But I take care turning on flightmode (shutting down cellular) during listening to avoid interferences.

btw. Congrats on beating us today 2:0. Good game, well deserved…

Since switching to the DD lightning converter I haven't had a dropout, fingers crossed it's a permanent fix!