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

[inscythe]

This is disappointing then.. i was hoping for good news.. the hiby r4 in dac mode does better (i’d say 20-30%) than the w2-131.. for a price tag of $250 it is definitely better desktop dac with optional dap capability compared to w2U.. lets wait for more reviews

Curious what you're disappointed about...

I'd still say that this is still an upgrade over W2-131, and I would personally say it's at least comparable or better than R4 in dynamics if my memory serves (I need to directly compare to be sure).

 

[elderbank]

Curious what you're disappointed about...

I'd still say that this is still an upgrade over W2-131, and I would personally say it's at least comparable or better than R4 in dynamics if my memory serves (I need to directly compare to be sure).

That alone is disappointing right? R4 is cheaper and a full blown dap .

 

[inscythe]

That alone is disappointing right? R4 is cheaper and a full blown dap .

Not really. I own DAPs and dongles, and they have their own place.

For top dongles like W4 and to a certain extent, W2U, it does rival or even exceed certain performance metrics of some DAPs (subjectively and objectively), including the R4. Also, they don't come with battery, which is good for usage longevity.

That said, R4 is a good DAP, I might be getting it if the rumours about the Evangelion-themed R4 is true.

Anyway, this is starting to be off-topic, so back to W2U.

 

[Kiats]

Not really. I own DAPs and dongles, and they have their own place.

For top dongles like W4 and to a certain extent, W2U, it does rival or even exceed certain performance metrics of some DAPs (subjectively and objectively), including the R4. Also, they don't come with battery, which is good for usage longevity.

That said, R4 is a good DAP, I might be getting it if the rumours about the Evangelion-themed R4 is true.

Anyway, this is starting to be off-topic, so back to W2U.

And Hiby has its own sound signature that… well… is not for everyone. Whereas LP tends to have its own house sound.

 

[timeslip]

Curious what you're disappointed about...

I'd still say that this is still an upgrade over W2-131, and I would personally say it's at least comparable or better than R4 in dynamics if my memory serves (I need to directly compare to be sure).

Dynamics for sure but it actually sounds like an overall better tuning to me. Mid range is brought forward more with added treble.

 

[timeslip]

What is it?

USB dongles have now been out for years with Cayin, LuxuryPrecision, and iBasso leading the pack on the upper end. As those epic larger daps improve, so have these tiny little usb powered devices. The latest is LuxuryPrecision W2 Ultra, which has 800mw (2.8x more than the previous generation W2 or 2x of a W4) and has a edgie metallic forest green on the front and carbon fiber finish on the back for $319 USD. It has a smooth volume knob that you can hear each click as you turn the knob. This was a nice change from the LuxuryPrecision W4 and DC Elite that felt cheap in comparison.

Who is it for?

USB dongles are low key and in a portable format that can be used on the go or in the office when you only have 1-2hrs of use. It fits in your pocket and provides higher quality sound compared to the typical smartphone. So with the W2 Ultra, it provides plenty of power that can be used with Mid-Fi headphones or harder to drive IEMs. For reference, I had good experience with indigo, trailli, and composer headphones. What didn’t work so well was FeiWan due to the hissing on quiet tracks. So avoid it if you have sensitive IEMs.

So what does it sound like?

For me, it reminded me of a W shaped tuning, which was very different from the LP W4 that was more focused on the mid range. Bass is tighter and a deep sub bass that would amaze you something this small is able to reproduce.

At the end of the day, this is not going to compete against the mid range daps, but this is a fraction of the price in a small form factor that is not going to attract attention from anyone around you. It is a great complimentary device to keep in your collection to be used on the go or short listening sessions in a public space.

Big shoutout to @MusicTeck for always keeping a healthy stock of LP products and fast shipping!

 

[Pelilin]

What is it?

USB dongles have now been out for years with Cayin, LuxuryPrecision, and iBasso leading the pack on the upper end. As those epic larger daps improve, so have these tiny little usb powered devices. The latest is LuxuryPrecision W2 Ultra, which has 800mw (2.8x more than the previous generation W2 or 2x of a W4) and has a edgie metallic forest green on the front and carbon fiber finish on the back for $319 USD. It has a smooth volume knob that you can hear each click as you turn the knob. This was a nice change from the LuxuryPrecision W4 and DC Elite that felt cheap in comparison.



Who is it for?

USB dongles are low key and in a portable format that can be used on the go or in the office when you only have 1-2hrs of use. It fits in your pocket and provides higher quality sound compared to the typical smartphone. So with the W2 Ultra, it provides plenty of power that can be used with Mid-Fi headphones or harder to drive IEMs. For reference, I had good experience with indigo, trailli, and composer headphones. What didn’t work so well was FeiWan due to the hissing on quiet tracks. So avoid it if you have sensitive IEMs.

So what does it sound like?

For me, it reminded me of a W shaped tuning, which was very different from the LP W4 that was more focused on the mid range. Bass is tighter and a deep sub bass that would amaze you something this small is able to reproduce.

At the end of the day, this is not going to compete against the mid range daps, but this is a fraction of the price in a small form factor that is not going to attract attention from anyone around you. It is a great complimentary device to keep in your collection to be used on the go or short listening sessions in a public space.

Big shoutout to @MusicTeck for always keeping a healthy stock of LP products and fast shipping!

Which one do you prefer DC elite or w2u for overall sound quality?

 

[timeslip]

Which one do you prefer DC elite or w2u for overall sound quality?

If you plan to use HP with it, I would go with w2u. If pure iem, I found the w2u to have more clarity and better treble presentation but the dc elite has a bigger overall stage. Unfortunately I didn't have any of the iems that have preset filters on w2u, but that might be a consideration as well if you do.

 

[Ace Bee]

Does the W4 case fit on W2U?

 

[inscythe]

Does the W4 case fit on W2U?

yes

 

[wafelz]

Can anyone tell me if the W2 131 works on the standard iPhone 15? I know it doesn’t work on the Pro versions, but from my understanding, the standard iPhone 15 uses a different chip. If anyone could confirm or deny, that would be extremely helpful!

 

[Kiats]

Interesting post on LP's weibo page (translation courtesy of Weibo):

#Le HiFi# The New Year is more brilliant - Lebi W series 2025 "wear and match", new on the same day!

1 Polar WP2U L-type connecter cable, built on the U58/U75 flagship line base, priced at 999 RMB;

2 Leather handmade magnetic suction sleeve, multi-layer composite structure, high suction two holes, priced at 199 RMB;

3 High-end handmade magnetic suction cover, exquisite American crocodile crocodile leather, a variety of colours, priced at 2,999 RMB.

 

[aarondinh]

Hello everyone, I wonder if there are any comparison images of the W2 131 vs 198 version circuit on the internet?

 

[senorx12562]

Hello everyone, I wonder if there are any comparison images of the W2 131 vs 198 version circuit on the internet?

I have the og w2 (198), but have never heard the 131 version. But afaik, the only difference between the dac chips themselves is that the 131 has an integrated amp section, the 198 does not. I think they are otherwise identical. And I believe the first two versions of the w2 only differ in the different dac chips used. Hope this helps.

 

[AlexaMan]

Hello everyone, I wonder if there are any comparison images of the W2 131 vs 198 version circuit on the internet?

Hi, I wonder it too, digging internet but never find anything