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

[musicday]

Guys I have a question, I recently bought a Cayin RU6 and down the road I'm thinking to pick up a W2 to compare.

But I heard W2 3.5 mm out sucks compared to balanced out (I don't have balanced cable yet, I guess I could get one ). I've heard that with W2-131 they addressed the issue and now 3.5 mm sounds good again.

Is anyone here able to confirm/deny such claim?

Because if that's true then maybe I'll just pick up W2-131 instead. Thanks!

I don't know what you mean by saying the W2 3.5 mm output sucks compared to the 4.4 mm output.
The W2 is a great dongle and I enjoy mine a lot and I really recommend it to everyone.
Buy it, and you will be happy !

 

[Hyde00]

I don't know what you mean by saying the W2 3.5 mm output sucks compared to the 4.4 mm output.
The W2 is a great dongle and I enjoy mine a lot and I really recommend it to everyone.
Buy it, and you will be happy !

Uh I'll be honest, I've heard about it 3 times "on the internet" so take what I'm about to say with grain of salt LOL.

1. Based on the first review of RU6 - https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/cayin-ru6-discrete-r-2r-usb-c-dac-amp.25607/reviews

"In comparison, Luxury & Precision W2 is a disaster with the 3.5mm SE, where everything sounded subdued and outright uninspiring. W2 defacto SQ only to be had from the 4.4mm BAL"

Some background information, RU6 is technically mostly single ended until the end of the chain where they just duplicate the signal output and made it balanced (source: Cayin), so it's not a "true balanced" per say. Which also explains why their single ended and balanced output isn't too different (sound wise).

2. Off my head-fi friend from UK, suppose he read it online that it says the 3.5 mm output on W2 is not good (as oppose to balanced) but on W2-131 they "fixed it".

3. From a YouTube reviewer who claims that in terms of sound quality, he'd rate W2 balanced number 1, Dragonfly Cobalt number 2, and W2 single ended number 3.

This is assuming volume matched and listen to balanced output vs single ended output.

Again this is a classic "I heard from a guy who heard from a guy" so I don't know how much merit there is, and this is why I'm asking here since most of you guys actually own the gear lol.

And reason I'm asking because I currently only have single ended wires.

 

[ClieOS]

Agreed @musicday . W2's 3.5mm output doesn't suck. While 4.4mm is somewhat better than the 3.5mm output, both are of excellent quality.

RU6 output is, IMO, rather colored as it has a very intimate and upfront presentation. W2 on the other hand is clean as distilled water. Depends on what you like, you might prefer RU6 over W2, but qualitative wise, I'll say W2 is better - it drivers my headphone better than RU6 with better control and authority, image and instruments are all well defined and separated with an expensive soundstage. RU6 on the other hand like to put everything front and center. It is the kind of intimate and warm sound signature that R-2R DAC is known for, and great if that's what you are looking for. Not so great is you want something really neutral and transparent.

 

[Qhao]

Guys I have a question, I recently bought a Cayin RU6 and down the road I'm thinking to pick up a W2 to compare.

But I heard W2 3.5 mm out sucks compared to balanced out (I don't have balanced cable yet, I guess I could get one ). I've heard that with W2-131 they addressed the issue and now 3.5 mm sounds good again.

Is anyone here able to confirm/deny such claim?

Because if that's true then maybe I'll just pick up W2-131 instead. Thanks!

Mine worked great, maybe the best pairing in my journey in single ended with my old ie800, and worked well too with other 4.4mm. ✌

 

[Hyde00]

Agreed @musicday . W2's 3.5mm output doesn't suck. While 4.4mm is somewhat better than the 3.5mm output, both are of excellent quality.

RU6 output is, IMO, rather colored as it has a very intimate and upfront presentation. W2 on the other hand is clean as distilled water. Depends on what you like, you might prefer RU6 over W2, but qualitative wise, I'll say W2 is better - it drivers my headphone better than RU6 with better control and authority, image and instruments are all well defined and separated with an expensive soundstage. RU6 on the other hand like to put everything front and center. It is the kind of intimate and warm sound signature that R-2R DAC is known for, and great if that's what you are looking for. Not so great is you want something really neutral and transparent.

Mine worked great, maybe the best pairing in my journey in single ended with my old ie800, and worked well too with other 4.4mm. ✌

lol okay that's very good to hear, thanks guys!

Also at this point I'm wondering if it's better to pick up W2 for cheap or get the W2-131, but it sounds like a preference thing.

 

[jsmiller58]

Uh I'll be honest, I've heard about it 3 times "on the internet" so take what I'm about to say with grain of salt LOL.

1. Based on the first review of RU6 - https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/cayin-ru6-discrete-r-2r-usb-c-dac-amp.25607/reviews

"In comparison, Luxury & Precision W2 is a disaster with the 3.5mm SE, where everything sounded subdued and outright uninspiring. W2 defacto SQ only to be had from the 4.4mm BAL"

Some background information, RU6 is technically mostly single ended until the end of the chain where they just duplicate the signal output and made it balanced (source: Cayin), so it's not a "true balanced" per say. Which also explains why their single ended and balanced output isn't too different (sound wise).

2. Off my head-fi friend from UK, suppose he read it online that it says the 3.5 mm output on W2 is not good (as oppose to balanced) but on W2-131 they "fixed it".

3. From a YouTube reviewer who claims that in terms of sound quality, he'd rate W2 balanced number 1, Dragonfly Cobalt number 2, and W2 single ended number 3.

This is assuming volume matched and listen to balanced output vs single ended output.

Again this is a classic "I heard from a guy who heard from a guy" so I don't know how much merit there is, and this is why I'm asking here since most of you guys actually own the gear lol.

And reason I'm asking because I currently only have single ended wires.

Well, I will start by saying that your thought process has already been infected with doubt and worry, so my guess is your mind is at least subconsciously already made up…

I do not own the RU6, though I am thinking about it and it is already in my shopping cart…. But I do own a few other dongles…. L&P W2, Hidizs S8 & S9, Lotoo S1, Helm Bolt, MiniDSP il-DSP, E1DA 9038S, as well as BT devices that can also be dongles - Qudelix 5K and FiiO BTR5.

My experience and opinion is that power of the output makes a difference - but only if the IEMs or headphones need it, otherwise balanced or single ended makes no difference. Keep in mind that this assumes equal volume - psychoacoustically louder music (within reason) sounds better, and since balanced has more power and thus can drive louder for the same setting it is hard to extract this from the quality of the output.

What makes the biggest difference - in my opinion - is if the DAC is tuned a particular way or if there are different filters. For example, the Lotoo S1 intentionally rolls off the treble frequencies, while the L&P W2 maintains the frequency, the result is that people describe the S1 as “warm“ and the W2 as “cold” or “bright”. Similarly the frequency response of the R2R implementation of the RU6 may be different than that of the W2 and you may enjoy one vs the other.

In my opinion it would be hard - maybe not impossible - for the single ended output if a dongle to “suck” while the balanced sounds good - assuming the single ended can provide the power needed by the IEM or headphone and that volume is matched.

 

[captblaze]

Well, I will start by saying that your thought process has already been infected with doubt and worry, so my guess is your mind is at least subconsciously already made up…

I do not own the RU6, though I am thinking about it and it is already in my shopping cart…. But I do own a few other dongles…. L&P W2, Hidizs S8 & S9, Lotoo S1, Helm Bolt, MiniDSP il-DSP, E1DA 9038S, as well as BT devices that can also be dongles - Qudelix 5K and FiiO BTR5.

My experience and opinion is that power of the output makes a difference - but only if the IEMs or headphones need it, otherwise balanced or single ended makes no difference. Keep in mind that this assumes equal volume - psychoacoustically louder music (within reason) sounds better, and since balanced has more power and thus can drive louder for the same setting it is hard to extract this from the quality of the output.

What makes the biggest difference - in my opinion - is if the DAC is tuned a particular way or if there are different filters. For example, the Lotoo S1 intentionally rolls off the treble frequencies, while the L&P W2 maintains the frequency, the result is that people describe the S1 as “warm“ and the W2 as “cold” or “bright”. Similarly the frequency response of the R2R implementation of the RU6 may be different than that of the W2 and you may enjoy one vs the other.

In my opinion it would be hard - maybe not impossible - for the single ended output if a dongle to “suck” while the balanced sounds good - assuming the single ended can provide the power needed by the IEM or headphone and that volume is matched.

Not to hijack another product thread, but in keeping with the current topic...

The Vioelectric Chronos is an SE only low power dongle that is about 2/3 the size of the W2 and makes good sound from the approriate transducer. Implementation is always the key to whether or not a design meets or exceeds what the spec sheet claims

 

[ClieOS]

Not to hijack another product thread, but in keeping with the current topic...

The Vioelectric Chronos is an SE only low power dongle that is about 2/3 the size of the W2 and makes good sound from the approriate transducer. Implementation is always the key to whether or not a design meets or exceeds what the spec sheet claims

Purely from measurement PoV - AP measurement of Vioelectric Chronos reveals that its performance is pretty similar to that of iBasso DC-03 (*both are CS43131 based). Consider the former is EUR199 (~USD228) while the latter is US$59, iBasso would make for a better buy.

 

[captblaze]

Purely from measurement PoV - AP measurement of Vioelectric Chronos reveals that its performance is pretty similar to that of iBasso DC-03 (*both are CS43131 based). Consider the former is EUR199 (~USD228) while the latter is US$59, iBasso would make for a better buy.

Thanks, but my comment was more towards a low power SE design can make good sound if you don't try and power something better served with a desktop amp

 

[ClieOS]

Thanks, but my comment was more towards a low power SE design can make good sound if you don't try and power something better served with a desktop amp

Agree, and a little more power than needed won't hurt either IMO.

 

[musicday]

lol okay that's very good to hear, thanks guys!

Also at this point I'm wondering if it's better to pick up W2 for cheap or get the W2-131, but it sounds like a preference thing.

I haven't heard the second but I would still get the original W2.

 

[musicday]

If they will add preset for the IE900 many will be happy.

 

[AlexCBSN]

I've been using sporadically my w1, I was pretty happy with it, stumbled a w2 for 220usd (second hand, no lightning cable) I must admit I jumped right for it and I'm supposed to get it on Monday (fingers crossed for today...) Though must admit that the w1 was charming, I wish it comes in today so I can compare it. I put on sale the w1 and got someone interested on it. We are supposed to meet today, or else I'll put my comparison later on today of em both.

 

[Hyde00]

Well, I will start by saying that your thought process has already been infected with doubt and worry, so my guess is your mind is at least subconsciously already made up…

I do not own the RU6, though I am thinking about it and it is already in my shopping cart…. But I do own a few other dongles…. L&P W2, Hidizs S8 & S9, Lotoo S1, Helm Bolt, MiniDSP il-DSP, E1DA 9038S, as well as BT devices that can also be dongles - Qudelix 5K and FiiO BTR5.

My experience and opinion is that power of the output makes a difference - but only if the IEMs or headphones need it, otherwise balanced or single ended makes no difference. Keep in mind that this assumes equal volume - psychoacoustically louder music (within reason) sounds better, and since balanced has more power and thus can drive louder for the same setting it is hard to extract this from the quality of the output.

What makes the biggest difference - in my opinion - is if the DAC is tuned a particular way or if there are different filters. For example, the Lotoo S1 intentionally rolls off the treble frequencies, while the L&P W2 maintains the frequency, the result is that people describe the S1 as “warm“ and the W2 as “cold” or “bright”. Similarly the frequency response of the R2R implementation of the RU6 may be different than that of the W2 and you may enjoy one vs the other.

In my opinion it would be hard - maybe not impossible - for the single ended output if a dongle to “suck” while the balanced sounds good - assuming the single ended can provide the power needed by the IEM or headphone and that volume is matched.

lol no this totally make sense and I agree, was just hoping if someone here has actually tried to listen to both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm and reached a conclusion.

Also I bought RU6 first since I generally like colored sound rather than neutral. Will try that first but my friend highly recommend the W2 and W2-131 (he claim this has better 3.5 mm) kind of why I'm doing the research now so down the road I can pick 1 up.

Or "worst case scenario" I just pick up a 4.4 balanced cable and not having to worry about this at all. Or when it comes down to it, I can test it myself later I guess lol.

Not to hijack another product thread, but in keeping with the current topic...

The Vioelectric Chronos is an SE only low power dongle that is about 2/3 the size of the W2 and makes good sound from the approriate transducer. Implementation is always the key to whether or not a design meets or exceeds what the spec sheet claims

Thanks, but my comment was more towards a low power SE design can make good sound if you don't try and power something better served with a desktop amp

LOL this is where my "unpopular opinion" comes in. Me and my friend both bought it brand new since he really liked his Violectric V200 so we had high hopes for it. But we both thought the Chronos sound............ kind of remarkable.....??? Like at least I think the mids is really good, guitar sounded really nice. But layering is a bit flat and sound stage is very small. He burned in his units for a few days first though I just listen to it straight, but we both reached same conclusion.

I asked around and Ichos told me because Chronos is only meant for IEM so it will not drive my Denon D5200 properly.

But I've previously used my Denon D5200 fine with my Pixel 1 phone, Pixel 2 dongle, Pixel 3 dongle, Pixel 3a phone, Apple USB C dongle, Hidizs Sonata HD 2, Xduoo Link, Dragonfly Red, Dragonfly Cobalt, Zorloo Ztella, and Earstudio HUD100. They all have their own sound signature but more or less power it fine.

So I don't know if both me and my friend's unit are defective or as Ichos said it cannot drive full size headphone properly. Or maybe that's how Chronos sound, not too sure.

I haven't heard the second but I would still get the original W2.

lol I mean the good new about that is that, at least it will be easier to find second hand deal for cheap at the current moment.

 

[captblaze]

LOL this is where my "unpopular opinion" comes in. Me and my friend both bought it brand new since he really liked his Violectric V200 so we had high hopes for it. But we both thought the Chronos sound............ kind of remarkable.....??? Like at least I think the mids is really good, guitar sounded really nice. But layering is a bit flat and sound stage is very small. He burned in his units for a few days first though I just listen to it straight, but we both reached same conclusion.

I asked around and Ichos told me because Chronos is only meant for IEM so it will not drive my Denon D5200 properly.

Or maybe that's how Chronos sound, not too sure.

lol I mean the good new about that is that, at least it will be easier to find second hand deal for cheap at the current moment.

Considering the Chronos is the size of a small thumb I am impressed with what it can do with a good set of IEMs.

The Chronos is now my utility dongle and my W2 (which is still a fave) will be permantley strapped to a KSE1200.

now to decide what to do with a Cayin RU-6 (which is no slouch either)