I mentioned on one of Tralucent threads (about a month ago) that I was getting Lotoo Paw Gold (actually I was talked into getting one
) so here is some early feedback after I have had the LPG for about 3-4 days. This could probably easily go to LPG thread but since I exclusively use the original Ref 1 and original 1plus2 I figured I'd post here instead. Just as a reference point I have until now only used my Tralucent phones with Tera, although I have also tried HM901, AK120, and AK240 - but much preferred Tera to all of those sources.
However things are getting more interesting/competitive with LPG. I have been pretty consistently liking Ref 1 more than 1plus2 for use with Tera. While 1plus2 is magical with classical music and voice (when no sibiliance) overall I felt Ref 1 is better and more consistent match accross wide variety of music as far as Tera pairing. 1plus2 in some cases could also lack some bass when used with Tera (at least compared to Ref 1 which has a very nice amount of bass with Tera).
However, I have some different findings with LPG. I much prefer 1plus2 to Ref1 with LPG. LPG itself seems to have a fuller body, bigger stage, more headroom and power than Tera and what that does with Ref1 is makes the bass overwhelming and little muddy for me - to the extent where bass dominates so much that voice (and I guess midrange and treble overall) are nowhere as prominent/balanced as they are is when Ref1 is used with Tera. 1plus2 however is really phenomenal pairing with LPG which has very impressive full body so the bass ends up really perfectly balanced with other frequences - it's a match made in heaven in my opinion. Another thing I find is that LPG shines even more with high quality DSD releases - I purchased some of my favorite albums in DSD (which I alredy had in hires PCM) and LPG takes some of that music to yet another level when listening to DSD versions. For example, listening to Norah Jones' first 2 albums in DSD is a religious experience with LPG and 1plus2 - demo quality and hands down best I have ever heard. Also my favorite Diana Krall album When I Look In Your Eyes is absolutely magical. Same with Miles Davis' Kind of Blue.
Another interesting discovery is that with LPG I suddenly like the Tralucent stock silver/gold cables when used with 1plus2 - I did not like those at all when used with Tera but really like them with LPG (more so than whiplash cable which has been my default with Ref 1 and Tera). No idea how to explain this but there it is.
Also, as far as LPG itself goes I'm very impressed with build quality, size, battery, and especially UI is really great - I'm old style so simple but fast folder based access is perfect for me, especially since I already had my folders all organized in genre->artists->albums fashion - this way my new 512GB PNY SD card works perfectly in this mode (very quick to get to any album). Some advantages Tera has over LPG are obviously size, better UI when used in pocket (can navigate the entire SD card without taking out of pocket while with LPG I can only change volume and do basic skipping forward/back and stop/start - and this only with latest Chinese firmware).
Also, LPG can exhibit some hiss - it's certainly not as black background as Tera and I suspect not as ideal for marathon listening sessions (I listened to Tera many times for 8 hours straight on international flights and it's so efortless that you can forget you have IEM's in your ears).
Anyhow, the result/follow up to all of this is that I'm now considering either getting the new plus5 with uber, or even just uber cable alone to add to the original 1plus2 (I'm almost convinced that this would make it as good as possible - no longer feel like some of the reported 'fixes' to tame sibilance that were made in 2.2 are really even necessary now that I have heard 1plus2 with LPG). Howeve I'm still intrigued about plus5 and will probably have to get that at some point.
Enough rambling for now - thanks for listening and sorry if this is not feedback up to standards set by some really great people on these threads (but some people did ask me to post after I received LPG so here you go).
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