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

[Andrew_WOT]

lpw2's vocal sound level is comparable to a $1000 level DAC.

I am sure that you can find some crappy DACs in that range but even with those I doubt W2 can best them.
There is pretty big difference comparing to few desktop setups I've tried. For a USB powered dongle especially for high sensitivity IEMs it's pretty good, but nowhere as good as even moderately priced desktop setup.

 

[lpw2dragonfly]

musicday "Now write again and explain what you tried to say above."


it makes no sense to sort out relatively inexpensive dac. to improve the sound (after a good lpw2). I think that it is necessary to raise the level radically. or for this money to buy a stationary (not for headphones) system (second hand).

 

[aldinho878]

is there a noticeable difference in sound between the w2 and w2 131? Aside from more power and less battery consumption is the sound tuning or features any different?

 

[Hyde00]

is there a noticeable difference in sound between the w2 and w2 131? Aside from more power and less battery consumption is the sound tuning or features any different?

There is! But it's been a long time since I sold both of them and my memory is fading but there definitely is a difference.

W2 is a bit more W shaped for lack of batter word, and W2-131 is more even through out. W2-131 has a little bit more texture to everything. W2 is brighter sounding but is punchier for certain songs. W2 has a slight peak in the upper mid which makes string instruments sound nice (piano, violin). W2-131 is more balanced sounding but some songs I like W2 better and some songs I like W2-131. It's like the difference between HD600 to HD650 probably, some people like one over the other depending on taste.

I would say W2 is better in certain songs but W2-131 might be better overall, but not as good as W2 on songs that W2 is really good at. Again really depending on taste I can see people go either direction.

Power as the spec suggested W2-131 is 10% more power, feature set is exactly the same. W2 just need to update to newest firmware otherwise you'll miss some menu that only exists on W2-131. But once you update firmware it's exactly the same.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

is there a noticeable difference in sound between the w2 and w2 131? Aside from more power and less battery consumption is the sound tuning or features any different?

You just need to search through this thread, plenty of comparisons. Keep in mind that 131 modification was due to original chip shortage, not in a seek of sonic improvement.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

@Hyde00, found your original post with impressions, with a bit more details.
Also another W2 OG vs 131.
And take on both from our dongles expert ClieOS.
Reason of why 131 even exists.

 

[Hyde00]

@Hyde00, found your original post with impressions, with a bit more details.
Also another W2 OG vs 131.
And take on both from our dongles expert ClieOS.
Reason of why 131 even exists.

Damn this is definitely more in-depth, thanks for digging it up!

I didn't even remember I wrote all that LOL.

 

[aldinho878]

Does anyone have any information on the new W2 ACG version?

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Does anyone have any information on the new W2 ACG version?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lux...-info-on-post-1.949448/page-328#post-17266618

 

[aldinho878]

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lux...-info-on-post-1.949448/page-328#post-17266618

So to clarify is the ACG version based on the Og W2 dac or the 131?

 

[captblaze]

So to clarify is the ACG version based on the Og W2 dac or the 131?

OG
ACG

pretty self explanatory if you read what is printed on those 2 links

 

[Andrew_WOT]

OG
ACG

pretty self explanatory if you read what is printed on those 2 links

Somehow mucicteck does not list W2-131 anymore which was based on the same HW as ACG. Wondering if it was just replaced by ACG.
https://www.androidbrick.com/luxury-precision-w2-131/

 

[ClieOS]

I read some rather interesting Chinese review on the W2 ACG a few days ago. The author stated that she was informed that the reason why L&P didn't list whether W2 ACG is 198 or 131 based is because it is actually based on both (but not mixed) - some ACG are 198 based and some are 131 based - the hardware remains pretty much the same as regular OG W2 or W2-131 while the tuning comes from the modified firmware in the FPGA that is based on L&P LP6 limited edition. That means if you get a W2 ACG, it can be either 198 or 131, but you won't know which is which unless you take it apart and look at the circuit inside. L&P gives the reason that the ACG firmware is different enough from the regular W2 and W2-131's firmware that it will make the two sounds the same regardless of the chipset's difference.

 

[aldinho878]

I read some rather interesting Chinese review on the W2 ACG a few days ago. The author stated that she was informed that the reason why L&P didn't list whether W2 ACG is 198 or 131 based is because it is actually based on both (but not mixed) - some ACG are 198 based and some are 131 based - the hardware remains pretty much the same as regular OG W2 or W2-131 while the tuning comes from the modified firmware in the FPGA that is based on L&P LP6 limited edition. That means if you get a W2 ACG, it can be either 198 or 131, but you won't know which is which unless you take it apart and look at the circuit inside. L&P gives the reason that the ACG firmware is different enough from the regular W2 and W2-131's firmware that it will make the two sounds the same regardless of the chipset's difference.

Thanks for the info! That's super confusing though from a buyer's standpoint. I do wonder if there's any noticeable sound difference with the Acg based on the firmware alone if nothing else

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I read some rather interesting Chinese review on the W2 ACG a few days ago. The author stated that she was informed that the reason why L&P didn't list whether W2 ACG is 198 or 131 based is because it is actually based on both (but not mixed) - some ACG are 198 based and some are 131 based - the hardware remains pretty much the same as regular OG W2 or W2-131 while the tuning comes from the modified firmware in the FPGA that is based on L&P LP6 limited edition. That means if you get a W2 ACG, it can be either 198 or 131, but you won't know which is which unless you take it apart and look at the circuit inside. L&P gives the reason that the ACG firmware is different enough from the regular W2 and W2-131's firmware that it will make the two sounds the same regardless of the chipset's difference.

Any reason not to provide same FW for W2 OG and 131? But on the other hand if it's different signature, not everyone will be happy with the change.