Lotoo have yet another chance to showcase their DSP code mastery, bringing AKM's AK4191-AK4499EXEQ DAC ecosystem in the Paw Gold Touch (LPGT) 2 music player to new heights. After taking the original Paw Gold Touch as far as they could with constant Digital Signal Processing evolution, Lotoo acknowledge the strides digital audio has made in the six years since, bringing its flagship up to 2024 standards. Knowing what AKM's own AK4191 delta-sigma modulator is capable of, and Lotoo's own track record of proprietary software upgrades down the years, LPGT2 is good to go for a decade on its own on the digital front. It's backed up by a 4.4mm output capable of producing 1,000mW balanced power per channel. In addition to the Analog Devices Blackfin DSP microprocessor, LPGT2 adds the wireless Lotoo Teleport Protocol (LTTP) that allows your everyday smart device to transmit streaming of up to 24/96Khz high-res lossless audio to your player. Via a USB-C attachment to your phone, LTTP brings the improvements Lotoo's techniques bring to your favourite streaming content from Tidal and Apple Music. [See Product Desc. For More] Lotoo's use of the Analog Devices Blackfin BF706 DSP microprocessor is the stuff of legend by now, with the code written and loaded up over multiple firmware upgrades and several years a technique these Taiwanese coding innovators have made their own – so much of how each of Lotoo's classic DAPs sound is owed to this. The generation of pristine I2S is the ultimate goal for LPGT2's DSP. But even the best digital trickery in the world needs a hardware platform sufficiently capable to execute software. Enter Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)’s resurgent flagship DACs.  These Japanese giants, back on their feet with a clean slate, started afresh expanding the basic footprint of a single DAC chip IC into three separate parts – to similarly multiply capabilities by a factor of three. AKM’s AK4191EQ is the brains of the operation, receiving pristine I2S clocking and data from LPGT2's Blackfin. Aboard, AK4191EQ’s delta-sigma modulator takes advantage of its expanded, dedicated, silicone footprint to lay claim to the title of the first chip IC working at seven bits. These seven single-bit modulators flow on into LPGT2's dual AK4499EXEQ DACs, one for each channel and built with a single purpose in mind: to turn the interpolated, noise-shaped, digital data it receives into the most precise analog waveform possible afforded by its large footprint. Silicone size matters when it comes to a great DAC IC, and AK4499EXEQ has it. Enabled by much more exact, matched resistors and capacitors aboard for precise DC single-bit decoding, and dynamic element matching that is less burdened by switching errors – granted by parts accuracy from a bigger footprint. Any conversion errors from AK4499EXEQs outputting in current manifests as DC offset, and not total harmonic distortion, that is easily filtered out. That's expected of any source claiming to be high performance. A high-quality current-to-voltage I/V section follows these AK4499EXEQs, befitting of chips that output in current for best distortion performance and indeed flagships like LPGT2. The second Lotoo device after Mjolnir this decade to boast such a circuit, LPGT2 brings those benefits to a portable device 10 years after the first generation LPG in 2014. Once again, LTTP allows you to get high-res lossless from your favourite streaming app on your smartphone to LPGT2, adding to its versatility beyond its 2TB SD card capacity. Running on Lotoo OS 1.6, LPGT2 once again eschews Android operation for the cleanest, lowest interference and CPU noise for a black background. That's only helped by an eight-layer PCB with shielding for the analog circuit, preserving all the analog resolution dual AK4499EXEQs can produce. This high-fidelity is amplified and flows on to powerful op-amp output buffers that supply current and mean Lotoo's flagship promises high damping factor while maintaining its low distortion into low impedances typical of IEMs, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs. Specially selected by Lotoo, LPGT2 boasts Texas Instrument parts that are ideal voltage sources and stable into capacitive loads, with their gain bandwidth product ensuring frequency response extends well beyond the human hearing range for excellent phase response and taut, impactful and life-like dynamics. Still the closed-loop internal gain remaining after the mandatory application of negative feedback around Lotoo's analog circuit remains high, so where she really can shine is in swinging +20.3 dBu of voltage, opening up the sound of any high-impedance Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones while barely breaking sweat. Indeed, this latest evolution of Lotoo's beloved Paw Gold concept ensures it's totally future-proof, ready for whatever the bright future of the rapidly-advancing world of Head-Fi throws at it, on the digital and analog fronts. After LPGT2, keep up to date with the fantastic staying power Lotoo releases have here, or view all our other music players here.

The only limit set for Lotoo had been size, but now they've roundly conquered that with Mjolnir. Limited to only 600 units made worldwide. The ultimate Lotoo ever built is a trans-portable 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm music player and DAC/amp powered by a super battery unit. Capable of outputting up to 2.5 watts of power per channel, Mjolnir is built on AKM's final units of AK4499EQ DACs. Mjolnir gives its prized, rare and out-of-print AK4499EQ chip from 2019 an all-metal, CNC-machined platform to shine upon. Robust power supplies comprised of six 21700 battery cells means this Lotoo monolith works on an operating voltage of 20 volts.  That, coupled with its silent noise floor and up to 134dB of dynamic range delivering fidelity, means Mjolnir performs about any way you want it. That means it'll drive the Empire Ears Raven and Oriolus Traillii JP, up to Focal's Utopia, ZMF Headphones' Atrium Closed and Caldera plus HEDD Audio's HEDDPhone 2 equally well. [See Product Desc. For More] It's wonderful that Lotoo provided Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)'s AK4499EQ zenith the time capsule needed to transport this legendary chip forward for the enjoyment of future audiophiles.  With Mjolnir built on Lotoo's LTOS custom user interface, this uber-flagship DAP adds its own value with a digital subsystem – consisting of Lotoo's tried-and-true NXP i.MX 6ULL and Analog Devices Blackfin DSP processor sub-system carrying proprietary code that generates clocking and audio data I2S for its AK4499EQ. Marking Lotoo's return to current-output DACs for the first time since 2014 when Texas Instruments' (TI) PCM1792 appeared in Paw Gold, Mjolnir's four-channel AK4499EQ outputs analog to a current-to-voltage I/V stage where D/A conversion errors manifest as a DC offset that is easy to filter out – instead of more sinister total harmonic distortion. The desire for purity is mirrored in Lotoo's construction of Mjolnir. Multi-layer PCBs and a 3mm thick metal locked-in shield for the audio circuit, down to individual screws fashioned from 304 and 316 stainless steel and a CNC chassis built to surpress quality-averse vibrations, are testament to Lotoo's attention to detail. Mjolnir's pristine small signal gets fed to its power stage consisting of eight TI LME49600 buffers – the first and only time Head-Fi has seen these parts implemented in such a topology – making up an incredibly powerful paralleled quad-mono balanced output stage capable of 5 total watts. With Mjolnir's 20 volt battery power rails running closer to each LME49600's power supply requirement, each op-amp already acts linearly in the open-loop before mandatory feedback is added. Dynamics are unhindered regardless of load complexity – undoubtedly bolstered by LME49600's incredible slew-rate spec. The negative feedback finally applied as the cherry on the cake sees Mjolnir achieve up to an incredible 130dB dynamic range via 4.4mm or 4-pin XLR headphone outs, or 134dB via dual 3-pin XLR line-outs. Indeed, Lotoo built Mjolnir to function perfectly as a DAC too, its Wi-Fi undergoing Roon testing and certification, with DLNA readiness meaning use with UPnP software is also possible. Digital outputs into your Hi-Fi system's DAC also sees Mjolnir execute transport duties via AES/EBU, S/PDIF RCA and optical. So here is Lotoo with Mjolnir proudly asking whether your all-in-one system even hubs, building the ultimate all-in-one to end every argument against it. Check out Lotoo's other devices here, or view our other DAPs here.

Lotoo have done it again with PAW S2. The same AKM AK4377 DAC makes another appearance, but S2's platform to perform vastly outstrips its predecessor. [See Product Desc. For More] Trickling down from the superb Lotoo PAW Gold Touch and PAW6000 is the Blackfin DSP chip by Analog Devices. The Blackfin is loaded with code written by Lotoo to present raw I2S for its DAC, sourcing its clock from an AKM PLL chip, so S2's decoding ability goes up significantly. Tidal MQA decoding also arrives as standard. It's absolutely the host with the most (bar Bluetooth) to Twister6. PAW S2's clean, quiet small signal then gets output to a potent 150mW headphone amplifier that outputs in balanced 4.4mm. This little pocket powerhouse leaves you missing little from the full-size experience. Also browse Lotoo's other releases here, or our other portable DAC/amps here.

Lotoo honour their pro heritage with their tuning of the PAW 6000. Reminiscent of newer Sony Walkman models in terms of their character and detail retrieval, Lotoo's application of potent amplification and the decoding capabilities of AKM's AK4493 DAC chip sees Paw 6000 offer both entertainment and a reference sound you can trust. You'll be able to see everything from Lotoo here and all our other music player options here.