Oh boy, look what just arrived
The new Luxury & Precision E7!
After more than a year of waiting it's finally here, and let me tell you it was worth the wait. I have a full review coming but I wanted to share some impressions right away since I know many are quite interested. Just to be clear my unit is brand new, I've been listening constantly since it arrived, but that's only about 20 hrs, and I can hear it opening up a lot. After 100Hrs + it will for sure be different.
Right off the bat I can say this is the most analog Delta Sigma DAP I've ever heard, really. It's so natural and clear with plenty of the L&P magic in there. No digital glare whatsoever, wow. How they managed this sound in such a tiny box is beyond me, and to make it sound so organic and analog, it's nuts. Very detailed, open and airy, super transparent too. More on the neutral side, not overly thick, not bright or thin at all either. Other companies should take note of this, this is a masterclass in transparent tuning, graceful and refined, without being boring or flat. I hear amazing levels of micro details in the mids, very detailed and open treble, and deep punchy bass that is nicely textured. It's giving me major DMP vibes, that kind of grand stage with great details and a lot of air, technical but very analog - the DMP is a tad warmer and maybe thicker, but the technical side is similar.
While it is not R2R, they used the special 4497 AKM chips, like the DMP, and it is just fantastic. The new OS and UI is a huge step forward, we now have gapless, a search function that works very well, useable metadata browsing, lossless EQ, and adjustable op amp voltage. You can name your playlists too, it's all much more seamless and functional. The exclusive version has three separate tuning options, and while I largely prefer the HD, the other two are super cool as well. There is some hardware upgrades too, so anyone thinking about buying the E7 should really consider the Exclusive if it's available.
I know that for some people the lack of streaming, or the closed UI is not for them. I'll say this now, if you
NEED streaming, Android or Roon support, Wi-Fi, BT out, or even good battery life
just don't bother with the E7. This DAP is music only, it was designed this way, and L&P isn't going to change this anytime soon, probably ever. This is a purist DAP, like their others, and the SQ speaks for itself. L&P chooses SQ over all else, tuning the FPGA for maximum tone, at the expense of battery life. So while the battery life isn't great compared to most DAPs, it's much better than AE, charges faster too, and more than worth the compromise for me.The new UI is leagues ahead of previous models, but don't expect it to perform like your phone, or the TOTL Android DAP either. It's basic, but basic done right. Rant over - but please please, if you need those options, or don't like a closed system, just let it be. There are so many choices out there, we're spoiled with options, so choose what you like best, for the use cases you need.
EDIT: I totally forgot to mention that the E7 does indeed do
BT wireless streaming from another device. That means you can stream from your phone or laptop, controlling the music from that device. E7 supports up to LDAC and the SQ is rather amazingly good. I really enjoyed winter walks with my P6 Pro; IEMs in and DAP in my jacket pocket, streaming from my phone as I discovered new music and curated playlists. It’s a very cool feature, allowing you to extend the E7s abilities for a more modern world. You can also use USB in, which I use with my AE streaming from my laptop.
END EDIT
I love how fast you're in your music - just a quick button press, a few seconds of waiting and play. And how small at light it is, like the P6 Pro. The volume knob is very smooth with the right amount of resistance. Both 4.4 and 3.5 can be used PO or LO, you can choose this in the drop-down menu that also houses the usual stuff. I find it charges noticeably faster then my AE, but there is no QC or PD support, you need to use an old school USBC - USBA cable. The screen is much larger than before, lots of real estate for album art and controls. Side buttons have a nice click to them, very secure.
Compared to the AE - well they are very different. The AE is more dense, more impactful and punchy. I hear the E7 sounding a bit more detailed up top, also more sparkle and shine there, while the AE is more analog up top, and focuses more on texture and body. AE stage is bigger, it's more grand and massive sounding, the E7 is more clean and transparent, without the mid-bass bump or super mid forward tuning the AE has. AE stage is center focused with huge space all out ot the sides, the E7 stage is more spread to begin with. They are both very technical, but both are very analog sounding too. So far I may prefer the AE still, but as the E7 opens up I like it more and more - my Sony WM1ZM2 is already sold as its place in my collection has now been filled by the E7.
I think, for some people, maybe even most, the E7 will be an easier choice. Not only because it's cheaper, but because it's more neutral, more modern sounding, far more useable, and probably better for modern music, as the AE can be overly mid focused sometimes. The UI and general experience is no contest, the E7 is far superior here no surprise. I know a few who prefer the E7 already, especially for Electronic - I'm very curious for myself how I feel after a few weeks when it's fully opened up. I find the AE makes me feel things in my chest more, the thump of the drums and overall physical presentation. The E7 makes me focus on the details more, perhaps because the top end sounds more open and detailed. While it is impactful, it's more graceful, and less punchy.
So, that's it for now. My full review will come in some weeks, once I've had a chance to really get used to it, but suffice to say, it is fantastic! I'm really blown away by what L&P has done here - color me very very impressed. Paired with the Traillii and SS cable this is a treat of natural and neutral excellence, with tons of space and air, along with a massive stage. Pitch black background, oodles of details, especially in the mids. Yummy. If anyone is on the fence about getting one, let me give you a gentle nudge in the E7's direction. Absolutely highest recommendation - just know what it is,
and what it's not, before buying. I think Musicteck has one or two left
Have a great day everyone!
. Sounds great too. No treble problems here.
Given that you seem to be into retrofuturism too, I just have to ask, do you ever watch picsnportraits' Sleepcore stuff?
but I think you would like the CP622B to. Its actually quite similar to the Jewel. Just a tat more mid forward, little less slam. But the boneconduction really does do wonders. (But maybe you already tried this thing 
)
