[Matpar]

Is there some evidence that the 4.4 balanced transfers the audio signal better than the 2.5 balanced? Or are you just talking from a ruggedness/reliability standpoint

The latter, having had a direct experience with 2.5 getting "berserk" at some point (loose contacts). This, and the fact 80% of my stuff now has 4.4 plugs

 

[51days]

Is there some evidence that the 4.4 balanced transfers the audio signal better than the 2.5 balanced? Or are you just talking from a ruggedness/reliability standpoint

deleted

 

[Matpar]

Even if the question is not directed at me, I think there is no evidence, at least to my very basic knowledge. You might get more "dynamic" with some IEMs and yes, higher volume output. Can the benefit of 4.4mm over 2.5mm or even 3.5mm be proven? Not sure. I run some IEMs with 3.5mm output, because they sound worse through a 4.4mm plug termination. Listening, testing, deciding what works for you or not.

I believe the question was more about 2.5 Vs 4.4 and not the unbalanced/balanced endless debate

 

[51days]

I believe the question was more about 2.5 Vs 4.4 and not the unbalanced/balanced endless debate

Yes, you're right, my bad.

 

[Scubadevils]

Re ZEN and W2, I have both but haven't really paired the ZEN much. Tried again tonight, very nice but there is a slight buzz which I forgot about, I can't hear it when music playing so not really an issue. It's the only IEM I've had this with.

 

[milkdudd]

Re ZEN and W2, I have both but haven't really paired the ZEN much. Tried again tonight, very nice but there is a slight buzz which I forgot about, I can't hear it when music not playing so not really an issue. It's the only IEM I've had this with.

What are you using as your source? I have found that all of my dacs/amps have an intermittent buzzing that comes from the Android phone itself. I know this because when I put it on airplane mode (which shuts down a lot of the phone's activity) it's completely eliminated. Problem is you can't take an incoming phone call while you're listening. Has me considering eventually getting a dedicated DAP

 

[snapandslide]

What are you using as your source? I have found that all of my dacs/amps have an intermittent buzzing that comes from the Android phone itself. I know this because when I put it on airplane mode (which shuts down a lot of the phone's activity) it's completely eliminated. Problem is you can't take an incoming phone call while you're listening. Has me considering eventually getting a dedicated DAP

It's why unfortunately DAPs are going to continue to thrive - my use case is laptop or my phone at home/not moving. I couldn't use it on the go.

 

[Scubadevils]

What are you using as your source? I have found that all of my dacs/amps have an intermittent buzzing that comes from the Android phone itself. I know this because when I put it on airplane mode (which shuts down a lot of the phone's activity) it's completely eliminated. Problem is you can't take an incoming phone call while you're listening. Has me considering eventually getting a dedicated DAP

MacBook Air. The W2 is great but I still prefer my DAPs - the W2 is mostly for when I'm music shopping on my Mac, listening to YouTube etc. I use the ZEN mostly with my ZX507, my perfect portable combo!

 

[milkdudd]

MacBook Air. The W2 is great but I still prefer my DAPs - the W2 is mostly for when I'm music shopping on my Mac, listening to YouTube etc. I use the ZEN mostly with my ZX507, my perfect portable combo!

That is definitely a close competitor to the Hiby R6 2020 I'm considering. Is that Android based? I kind of want to use you UAPP and Amazon HD. Do you know if it can set the balanced line out at a fixed level in case I want to pair it with my external amp?

 

[snapandslide]

That is definitely a close competitor to the Hiby R6 2020 I'm considering. Is that Android based? I kind of want to use you UAPP and Amazon HD. Do you know if it can set the balanced line out at a fixed level in case I want to pair it with my external amp?

I think someone earliier in the thread said the W2 sounds better than the R6 2020 (which is android based). If the sound works for you, the best DAP is probably the iBasso dx300 - it's massive though!

 

[Scubadevils]

That is definitely a close competitor to the Hiby R6 2020 I'm considering. Is that Android based? I kind of want to use you UAPP and Amazon HD. Do you know if it can set the balanced line out at a fixed level in case I want to pair it with my external amp?

Yes Android, I've not used UAPP or Amazon HD though, just the Sony Walkman app - a lot of info though in the dedicated thread and I have read comments of members using UAPP. Sorry, I don't know regarding the fixed level from balanced.

 

[Scubadevils]

An hour or so in with the ZEN on the W2, they do sound fantastic together. One of many great things about this hobby, rediscovering various combinations of IEMs and sources. W2 an energetic, exciting combination with the ZEN!

 

[musicday]

Agree.

I owned the Lotoo S1 and now just use the Reference dongle but mainly with an amp in addition from a PC as a transport.

I am trying to understand whether to give the W1 a go, or if just get straight to the W2. Sparrow is out of my list just because of this 4.4 HO issue...

They say the S1 is similar to the W1. I had S1 and was great, but the W2 is simply the best dongle at the moment.

 

[milkdudd]

I think someone earliier in the thread said the W2 sounds better than the R6 2020 (which is android based). If the sound works for you, the best DAP is probably the iBasso dx300 - it's massive though!

With these dac/amps being so tiny now, running digital out of a dap into them is a nice option. In my case it would likely be a dap into the Sparrow or W-2 and then balanced out into my BX-2 Plus amp. I like keeping things simple but when sound quality can be improved I can live with some extra hardware and another cable or two

 

[mikaell]

They say the S1 is similar to the W1. I had S1 and was great, but the W2 is simply the best dongle at the moment.

In this post...

It's so refreshing to get a portable dac with an iPhone lightning connector in the box!

Looks like a lot of us just received their L&P W2. I'm thoroughly impressed after a few hours.

Unlike the Lotoo S1 this one doesn't suffer from the insufferable radio interference so it's up until this point the PERFECT portable device that works without any issue with an iPhone and has amazing sound quality.

Sound is really nice - musical and detailed. A very good combination. Listening with my Sony IER-Z1R. Very very good match! Delicate and powerful. More impressions a few weeks down the road...

Quick comparison to the WM1A:
I have not encountered another DAP or device (that's not tube based) that makes me feel like music is hugging me the way the WM1 series does. That's always such a joy to listen to and get lost in. That's not detail, resolution, technicalities... it's pure feeling.

Having said that, I enjoy the W2 more than the Astell&Kern Kann Alpha sound signature-wise. I've sold the KA so can't to a direct comparison anymore but from memory the KA is more detailed and powerful.

Of course, not comparing apples to apples. But as a reference point I'd put the W2 between the WM1A and the KA sound signature wise. (none are analytical).

Bothe the KA and the W2 have a delicate rendition.

The W2 is impressively very well built and display is actually useful, unlike on the S1. I got mine from musicteck - kudos for their exquisite customer service.

Second day edit:
Soundstage (ok, Headstage) is impressive. It feels big (yes, IER Z1R have a very wide rendition in general) but i'm comparing this to the KA & WM1A on the DAP side and Dragonfly Red + Lotoo S1. Not quite a WM1 but still... clearly better than the Dragonfly Red or Lotoo S1.

All in all, compared to these other small portable DACs you get something (very good) for your money.

... I highlighted an important problem with the S1: Many users complain about bad radio interference and that was my experience too: insufferable crackling every time the S1 was close to my phone... even connected to my laptop, not the phone.

The W2 has no such issues.