On this evaluate we try the all-new Lotoo PAW D3 DAC/DDC promoting for $420 USD.
Disclaimer: Lotoo offered the PAW D3 for this evaluate. Headfonia and Lotoo are on no account associated to one another. We thank Lotoo for his or her help and generosity!
Lotoo
Lotoo will not be a brand new title to the audiophile group, as their earlier merchandise have already been fairly in style.
Based in 1999, Lotoo has centered totally on skilled audio recorders and has solely tipped their toes into the audio participant market 15 years after their begin.
They launched the PAW Gold as their absolute reference participant, and legend has it, that it was solely made as a result of the proprietor of the corporate was not happy with what the market needed to provide.
The PAW Gold has rapidly risen to turn out to be a wildly beloved product. It stood out from the market with its distinctive appears and software program, which could possibly be described as rudimentary.
In 2015 Lotoo launched the PAW 5000, a less expensive DAP, that once more proved in style. In late 2016 they launched the hyper compact PAW Pico, a DAP akin to the iPod nano, because it featured no display.
Lotoo has all the time proven a superb curiosity in preserving their merchandise updated by providing new firmware variations for his or her gamers all through all of the years.
To me it’s additionally very optimistic that they saved the Paw Gold as their flagship, the place different corporations push new merchandise in a two-year cycle, they’ve simply barely up to date the unique and saved going.
In 2018 Lotoo launched the primary technology of the PAW Gold Contact, which then changed the unique Paw Gold as their flagship. This DAP has gained momentum quick within the audiophile scene and has stayed a benchmark for neutrality and adaptability since then.
In 2019 the PAW 6000 noticed the sunshine of day. A smaller, extra pocketable and amped down model of the PAW Gold Contact at a really aggressive value.
Similar to its massive brother, the PAW 6000 grew to become very talked-about very quick. I nonetheless personal each of those DAPs on the day of penning this evaluate and cherish each for their very own feats.
In 2022 Lotoo introduced their tackle the hyper DAP. The Mjölnir is a transportable big that’s purported to run something. Solely the bravest of the courageous use this as a transportable DAP although, as it’s extra akin to a desktop unit.
Final yr, in 2024, Lotoo launched their newest flagship DAP – the PAW Gold Contact 2. We reviewed it earlier this yr.
As we speak, we’re Lotoo’s newest addition to their lineup: the Lotoo PAW D3.
PAW D3
The PAW D3 is a Digital to Analogue and Digital to Digital Converter. It makes use of an AK4493EQ DAC chip and helps excessive decision sampling charges as much as 24/192. In response to Lotoo, the choice to solely implement help for twenty-four/192 was attributable to their optimized clock design for sampling charges as much as that top.
The PAW D3 additionally has a built-in ADI Blackfin BF706 Digital Sound Processor, and an AK8142 precision clock chip built-in.
The PAW D3 has an array of digital in and outputs in addition to an RCA analogue line-level output. You may join the D3 to your digital sources by way of USB C, Optical and Coaxial connections. If you wish to use the PAW D3 as DDC you get selections of Coaxial and Optical outputs as nicely. On high of these, you additionally get a wi-fi LTTP in and output.
LTTP is Lotoo’s personal wi-fi switch protocol, which gives true lossless connectivity with different LTTP enabled merchandise. The PAW D3 can be utilized both as LTTP transmitter (sender) or LTTP receiver. This, for instance, provides you the choice to ship your CDs via the PAW D3 to your PAW Gold Contact 2. You too can ship different sources to your LTTP units after all.
Similar to different Lotoo merchandise, the PAW D3 comes outfitted with a Parametric EQ and ATE Sound Results. These allow you to alter the signature of the PAW D3 to your private style.
The Lotoo PAW D3 is out there all through Lotoo’s retail channels and will be yours for $420 USD.
Construct High quality
Once I unpacked the Lotoo PAW D3 I used to be shocked by its miniature measurement, even when the photographs on-line already spoilt its measurement. It measures 88 x 42 x 110mm (WHD) and all the unit is fabricated from aluminum, together with the rotatable wheel on the entrance panel.
The display (LCD, 240 x 320px) appears very nicely built-in into the entire design. If you already know Lotoo’s Working System (LTOS), you gained’t be shocked by the minimalistic appears of it. Don’t anticipate something too flashy, however relatively one thing that works simply fantastically nicely.
The PAW D3 weighs only a mere 333 grams, so utilizing too heavy cables with it can in all probability outcome within the unit tilting backwards. Possibly be careful for that if it annoys you.
Total, the construct high quality is superb, similar to we’re used to with Lotoo’s earlier merchandise. I wish to rapidly point out the quantity wheel once more, as a result of I consider it deserves particular consideration. Since it’s totally fabricated from aluminum and has a sample CNC’d into it, it feels good and of top of the range.
I do know, it’s a little bizarre, however how a wheel feels and rotates is essential to me and exhibits class in manufacturing for my part.
Bundle
If you order a Lotoo PAW D3, you get a really primary bundle. Within the field you will see the PAW D3, a USB C cable and a quick-start information. Nothing extra. However then, for the worth you in all probability wouldn’t anticipate something drastic and indulgent both.
The evaluate continues on the second web page!
