morndewey
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2016
- Posts
- 1,216
- Likes
- 1,764
Any comparative deficiencies?Cowon Plenue R2/Questyle QP1R/A&K Kann Alpha. It resolves better than all three.
Any comparative deficiencies?Cowon Plenue R2/Questyle QP1R/A&K Kann Alpha. It resolves better than all three.
Just received the Lotoo PAW 6000 and I love how it can extract every last bit of detail in tracks. Excellent pairing with the Dunu Zen.
Sure. I am gonna skip upon the usual (build/ergonomics/UI etc.) and focus solely upon sound between these 3 DAPs.Any comparative deficiencies?
Amazingly in depth yet concise comparisons. Much thanks.Sure. I am gonna skip upon the usual (build/ergonomics/UI etc.) and focus solely upon sound between these 3 DAPs.
In terms of raw resolving capability, the LP6K trounces all three of the Cowon Plenue R2 (which resolves similarly to Plenue L), Questyle QP1R, and A&K Kann Alpha. With the A&K Kann Alpha you get a very exciting, dynamic, and engaging presentation that's quite a bit colored to my ears but is very fun to listen to. It however sacrifices some of the finer details in the process. The bass and treble also gets more focus than the midrange on the Kann Alpha. Incidentally, it's got the widest staging among the mentioned DAPs and that makes pairing with IEMs like Final A8000 a superlative experience in terms of staging/imaging prowess. However, I think it exacerbates the A8000's treble peak (and any other IEM with similarly peaky treble will have this issue).
Moving to Questyle QP1R, it's the most dynamic presentation among the mentioned ones along with Kann Alpha. It however has a unique ability to portray micro-dynamics which I haven't found on any other DAPs (Cowon Plenue R2 comes close). Subtle gradations in volume are exceptionally well-portrayed, likely something to do with the IIR reconstruction filter they use. It however has some issues with treble roll-off and the mid-bass can be a bit encroaching at times. Still, for a 6 year old DAP, one of the best I've tried thus far.
As for the Cowon Plenue R2, It used to be my daily driver until the LP6K. The Cowon player has an unique ability to make everything sound... sweet. It's an abstract audiophile lingo but I dunno how else to describe it. It's not the most dynamic in terms of macrodynamic punch but the micro-dynamics are great on them frankly. With a similarly dynamic IEM they provide an excellent pairing (e.g. Dunu Zen). The treble impact is somewhat softened and the mids aren't as organic sounding as on QP1R/LP6K but given it's the cheapest DAP in this comparison, Cowon has done a mighty fine job. Also, I am a huge fan of the JetEffects DSP and it's a must-have for me (reason why I keep a Cowon DAP around).
Finally, the Lotoo PAW 6000. With these DAP you feel like you are peering into the mix. I won't call it totally neutral/reference but it's close to that. The dynamics are very good (not as good as QP1R/Kann Alpha but close), and the separation is on another level vs the rest of them. Imaging is as good as anything out there and staging is also very good (though I think Fiio M15 has it beat there in this price bracket). The one area which I wish were a bit better is the micro-dynamics, the LP6K slightly falls behind in this aspect vs the QP1R and Plenue R2.
In short:
If you want a fun/colored sound = A&K Kann Alpha
If you want a forgiving yet moderately resolving signature = Cowon Plenue R2
If you want some of the best dynamics and mids = Questyle QP1R
If you want the utmost resolving capability with holographic imaging = Lotoo PAW 6K
Hope that helped somewhat to ascertain the differences between the three.
I'd say in terms of sound it still fares well against the other <$500 competition but the UI/navigation is archaic to say the least. QP2R/QPM is the way to go if you wanna try a Questyle DAP.Is it true that Questyle is on its last legs?
I agree. The build design has always attracted me. Thanks. Keeping LP6k on my radar. Love my SR25 though. Only took five daps to get me here!?! Especially battery performance. But I see LP6K is no slouch in that dept eitherI'd say in terms of sound it still fares well against the other <$500 competition but the UI/navigation is archaic to say the least. QP2R/QPM is the way to go if you wanna try a Questyle DAP.
On another note, I think the QP1R is one of the most photogenic DAPs of all time. Couldn't resist sharing this shot that I took of them:
Here are some measurements for the Wolf Head, Eye Of Evil and a barrel-shaped tibetan-styled one. They may change drivers so I can't guarantee that's what you'd be getting now as I bought mine about a year ago or so.I've got a pair of these. There is a good driver in them but it's tuned too bright and QC is very poor, better have some glue around, fit is a bit problematic and cables aren't really MMCX. The Wolf head one is tuned much better IMO and has easier fit.
+1Whoever came up with the design idea to write "In Tune" on them needs to follow a different career path.