Excellence Meets Power And Musicality – Lotoo PAW GT2 Portable Music Player
Lotoo PAW GT2 is a $3200 USD DAP or Digital Audio Player / Portable Music Player with a complex DAC solution centered around the AK4191EQ and a Dual AK4499EX DAC cluster, the AL4137EQ Upsampling chip, the LTOS Operating System, and Dual Balanced and Single Ended Headphone Outputs. Today we will review the Lotoo PAW GT 2 and compare it to other flagship DAPs including iBasso DX320 MAX Ti (3499 USD), Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T (2299 USD), HIFIMAN R2R2000 (2500 USD). As this is a high-end DAP, we will also explore pairings with headphones, including HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled (8000 USD), Palma DHS-1 (2195 USD), and Campfire Moon Rover (1199 USD).
Introduction
Lotoo is one of the most prestigious luxury audio producers from China, popular with both audiophiles from mainland China, and also all over the world. In fact, I know a couple of Romanians who have their own mini club of Lotoo lovers, each owning a couple of Lotoo DAPs. As a company, Lotoo is not quite as popular as the direct competitors as they make only high-end flagship products, and they also don’t use Android for their firmware, but instead a customized firmware, with unique features, different from what the vast majority of Music Players offer.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to Lotoo for providing the sample for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion. The review sample we are working with today was provided on a loan term for the review, but I will do my best to use the remaining time to compare it with the other DAPs, and work through pairings to help create the most comprehensive picture of its sound and abilities for you.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3Rqec5C
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ookpxLp
Build Quality / Aesthetics
Starting with the shape and design, Lotoo PAW GT2 is built as an improvement over the previous generation, having a larger and more durable display, this time 4″ IPS Retina LCD with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 coating, an Anti-Fingerprint Coating, and with a DLC or Diamond Like Carbon Coating with a durity of 9H+++. The metallic unibody is made out of Aerospace-Grade Aluminium Alloy, being incredibly durable, Precision CNC machined with multi-Layer PVD coating for a dual experience of touch and quality.
We have a Dual Power Output with a 3.5mm single ended headphone output that sports up to 460mW per channel, and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output that supports up to 1000mW per channel. Even for high-impedance headphones, up to 300 OHMs, Lotoo PAW GT2 offers up to 210mW per channel of power. Still on the quality part, each part of the PAW GT2 has its own individual power supply, with the MIPS having a separate power supply from the ARM processor which also has a separate power supply for the DSP processor. Lotoo has implemented an 8-Layer HDI Multi-Stage PCB with independent shielding for each circuit section, to have as little interference as possible. The Analog Circuit is separate from the digital circuit, to increase the separation and isolation as much as possible.
We get an ultra high performance in the technical department too, with 133 dB of SNR or Signal To Noise Ratio, supported by the Flagship DAC AK4191EQ+ Dual AK4499EX for a true 768kHz PCM and DSD512 signal processing. Lotoo is also a pioneer in the upscaling segment, and they have embedded the AK4137EQ chip for seamless hardware upsampling between DSD and PCM. Also new and a pioneer achievement in audio is the LTTP Wireless Transmission Protocol, which enables a high-bitrate audio transmission, of 96kHz / 32 Bit, or lossless 48kHz / 24Bit Audio. The maximum bitrate is 1.5Mbps, and this should be considerably better than Bleutooth although we will find out during the audio test how this works.
Another really nice development coming straight from Lotoo is the EQ, as they have their own 8 PMEQ II low-phase distortion parametric EQ, and 5 ATE studio-grade algorithmic audio filters that you can engage when listening with the PAW GT2. Something once again quite unique, but when using PAW GT2 as a desktop or even bluetooth DAC, you still have access to both PMEQ, ATE and even Upsampling. Naturally, PAW GT2 can also drive wireless headphones, but at this price point, it is not worth to test this feature too much as there are far cheaper Bluetooth transmitters if you need to power a pair of BT Headphones. The USB Type-C port at the bottom is a 3.1 USB port with up to 10 Gbps transfer speed.
Lotoo is also the only company that I know of to implement an SD card reader, instead of microSD, and they have support for up to 2TB UHS-II SD Cards with transfer speeds up to 300MB/s. The battery they’ve used is also currently the largest available in a DAP, with a whopping power of 8300mAh Lithium Polymer battery, and the firmware that GT2 is using is Lotoo OS 1.6. This firmware is more stable and more reliable than what most companies use, but it is a more closed system that does not support apps or streaming outside of the Lotoo wireless protocol and Bluetooth.
At the top of the unit we have a beautiful volume wheel that is orante with a nice model, and which has an LED ring light below, which beathest slowly while the unit is turned on. Inside of the package you will find one high-end transport and protection case which has a metallic back that allows the unit to cool off, two tempered glass protectors, and one data cable. Wifi is supported for DLNA and Airplay. As a lotoo owner, you will notice that the firmware updates are not often, but the firmware is already fully stable, and when Lotoo decides to add a firmware update, it really improves some of the features, so you can have peace of mind always with the GT2.
USB DAC / Subjective Usage
Starting with the software, Lotoo has a fairly simple, effective software that is rock stable. This means that all my files, including rare types, files with special characters in the title, and basically everything is read perfectly well. Gapless playback works very well, shuffle works well, and I am generally very happy with the Lotoo PAW GT2 experience. It can order files based on artist, album or just all music files, or you can use the old school folder browsing method to explore your library. Everything is working really well for me.
When it comes to the USB DAC, which works well and has no bugs, but because Lotoo PAW GT2 has a complex internal processing on at all times, there is a delay of almost 500ms or half a second, which is rather noticeable, so PAW GT2 is best for listening to music, and not intended for playing video games or watching movies. On this note, there is a unique effect I saw happening just with GT2, but it seems to re-sync with the video after around 10 minutes, or after around 5 songs played. So if I am watching videos, the first 2-4 videos get that 500ms delay, but after it has been playing a bit, it is in sync, with less than a frame of delay. This is quite a unique behavior and even if you stop playing music, it stays in sync, and when you press play there is no more delay.
The whole DAP is kinda chunky, being the same thickness as two normal DAPs glued together, but it is neither very tall nor very wide, allowing me to use it with excellent comfort, as it fits my hand perfectly. All controls are intuitive, while the volume wheel works well too. There is no acceleration on the volume wheel, so you have to turn it continuously to get bigger adjustments, or use the volume on the display. As it is visible from the photos, the display of the PAW GT2 has a strong blue-purple tint when sunlight falls directly onto it. The actual colors of the display are natural without this tint, but instead of being fully glossy, it just turns into this blue-purple color, which is unique. Altough it is hard to take photos of it because of this, it remains easy to read under full sunlight.
Lotoo PAW GT2 can get warm during usage, quite a bit more so than most other DAPs, but that is not an issue for me, and while it grows warm, it is never uncomfortable to the touch. I have used it with the leather case for most of my time with it, to avoid scratching it, and it still looks pristine. The screen protectors included in the box are quite thick, but rounded at the edges, and they sit really flush when you install the leather case, basically it is made to always feel protected and clean, one of the most satisfying luxury experiences I’ve had in audio.
We also have a uniquely good design for the headphone outputs, which sit lower than the top of the DAP at the back, offering protection while you’re pocketing the PAW GT2. It literally is perfection from a design standpoint, unique, but improved over what most DAPs offer. Bluetooth signal is excellent and sound seems even better than that of my Samsung S24 ultra, which is surprising, but I wouldn’t purchase a top of the line flagship DAP for sending bluetooth to a pair of BT headphones. This being said, it also works flawlessly as a BT Receiver, which is one of the better things to do with it.
Battery life is around 10 hours of actual playback using hard to drive headphones, or ultra low impedance IEMs, and you can likely achieve more if you’re using a low volume, or headphones and IEMs within the 16 OHM – 64 OHM impedance range. Charging does not take much, and it can play while it is charging, with no audible degradation to the audio experience.
Sound Quality
Pairings and Match-up – To test the Lotoo PAW GT2, I have paired it with both IEMs and Full-Sized Headphones. For the IEM list I have used Simgot EM10, Soundz Flame, Campfire Moon Rover, Moritz Dragon, ZiiGaat Arcadia, Tin HIFI P1 MAx II, NF Audio NE4, and TanchJim Origin. The headphone list includes Palma DHS-1, FiiO FT1 PRO, Audeze MM-100, Erzetich Mania V2024, Ecoute TH1 Wired, Crosszone CZ-8a Enhanced, T+A Solitaire P-SE, Sendy Audio AIVA 2, and Crosszona CZ-10 Enhanced. The maximum driving power, especially from the balanced output is plenty for full-sized headphones, and every single headphone out there should be driven with plenty of strength, strong dynamics and excellent control, including Audeze LCD-5. The only pair of full-sized headphones that I found to still need more power is HIFIMAN Susvara OG, which is almost the hardest to drive pair of headphones in the whole world. For IEMs, I have not heard any kind of background noise floor or hissing, which is exceptional given the high driving power at maximum. You need to set the gain level for a more granular volume control though, as between low and super high gain, the difference can be insanely high.
Overall Signature – Quite similar to most Lotoo DAPs, PAW GT2 follows a slightly softer, more musical and more mature take on music, allowing you to hear all the richness, resolution and details in music, without compression, but also without hard edges and without fatiguing elements. The base signature is soft, open, smooth, with a neutral bass, neutral midrange and neutral treble. The ability to create a wide and holographic soundstage is outstanding, but it doesn’t exaggerate the staging, it allows each song to present in its own space, and how it was recorded / mixed / mastered with as little added character as possible, and with a high transparency.
Bass – Starting from the low-end, PAW GT2 is a fairly neutral sounding DAP, but this should not be confused with a lack of bone or power, it can pack a punch, but it prefers to be neutral, presenting songs with as much deep end as they have in the recording / mix. PAW GT2 has a high headroom, so it can give songs a strong punch and bass extension, if you use EQ, or songs with a high amount of low-end, or warm / bassy sounding headphones. This being said, with neutral bass comes a smoother bass presentation, it has a realistic volume and body, without overriding either end. I absolutely love the presentation and PAW GT2 is rather excellent for rock, metal, but also EDM, Punk, Pop, has the right speed and impact to be dynamic, without sounding fatiguing or forward.
Midrange – In the mids is where the magic happens for most music, and Lotoo has a uniquely soft, refined character that can only be described as mature, clean, emotional and clean. There’s a certain emotion and refinement audible with all music, without sounding grainy or too textured, orchestras sound rich and full, while female voices always are powerful and vivid. PAW GT2 gives both male and female voices the same amount of presence and power, but it tends to favor thinner sounding instruments and voices in the mix, making even complex arrangements easy to catch on and understand. Truly PAW GT2 has one of the softest, most emotional sounds in the midrange, having true emotion and resolution presented quite a bit more intimately than the competition does. This can make most music feel a bit thin, airy, but it is not bright nor fatiguing in any way, it feels like the perfume of roses does in the morning, refreshing but it is a flavor you never can grow tired of.
Treble – Lotoo PAW GT2 has an open treble with strong extension, but a refined, slightly smooth texture and presentation. This means that you hear the full height of the treble extension in the top end, but also you’re never bothered by sharpness, grain, aliasing or fatiguing elements in music. This patches the rest of the signature perfectly, gives music a strong outline, presence, rhythm, and keeps the mood up when listening both EMD, Rock, but also shows micro details and bits of information nicely in cabaret or classical. In fact, judging things from a clear mind, PAW GT2 seems to have been tuned and designed a lot with the classical music listener in mind as it is one of the few DAPs that really give classical the richness, but softness and refinement it deserves.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – Lotoo PAW GT2 follows in the footsteps set by PAW 6000 and other lotoo products, which all seem to have the same tuning and texture handling at the core, they have one of the highest dynamic ranges out there, and can totally surprise you with the variation in volume and just how real / vivid music is, but at the same time they all have a smoother texture that always feels natural, there’s no trace of grain or harshness, and with the risk of a slightly softer sound, it is always enjoyable, musical and plenty fun.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – Lotoo PAW GT2 has a perfect loudness saturation gradient, it can sound exactly the same from volume zero, driving very sensitive IEMS on low gain, up to maximum volume, driving really hard to drive headphones. It simply never loses control and enver changes character, and this is a desirable aspect for a DAP.
Soundstage – Lotoo PAW GT2 is a uniquely precise sounding DAP, it enhances the size and depth of the soundstage of each song, and it can create a holographic soundstage with each pair of headphones or IEMs connected to it, but it respects the song boundaries. This means that it has a very low scattering factor and instead of being focused on getting the widest or deepest soundstage possible, it creates the most natural soundstage with the best instrument separation and highest precision possible for each song. This is quite helpful because often when creating music I like to use a DAP as a USB DAC, and PAW GT2 does not exaggerate in any way what I’m doing in the mix, so I always hear exactly what the final production is going to sound like, and it helps create that higher variation between songs, has a higher transparency this way and can reveal more differences between pieces in your collection than if it tried to apply its own signature every single time.
Comparisons
Lotoo PAW GT2 vs HIFIMAN R2R2000 (3200 USD vs 2500 USD) – Although the two devices are quite different in design and build, both have the price set within the same range. As far as I know, HIFIMAN is not actively producing the R2R2000 anymore, but it was quite an interesting, unique product that propelled the industry to producing more R2R based DAPs back when it was released, so it still is a nice etalon for comparisons of DAPs. PAW GT2 is considerably larger and heavier, has a considerably higher driving power, and it has a more modern, more stable operating system, plus much better wifi, bluetooth and wireless signal transmission. The battery life of the GT2 is much longer, it has a better overall stability for the firmware, and it is a more complete DAP. Sonically, R2R2000 was a truly amazing DAP, very dynamic and punchy, and GT2 has a totally different take, GT2 is emotional, slightly soft, refined and smooth, and has less bite, but more depth, more width and sounds more holographic, while R2R 2000 sounds more intimate, more punchy, has a more forward and more aggressive sound. The background noise levels are quite a bit lower on the Lotoo PAW GT2, it has a cleaner overall sound with IEMs, and with headphones, and it has a considerably higher maximum driving power too, so for a pair of headphones like HIFIMAN’s own Susvara Unveiled, it is an excellent partner, while R2R2000 was better for hard to drive IEMS and middle-of-the-road hard to drive headphones.
Lotoo PAW GT2 vs Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T (3200 USD vs 2299 USD) – Astell&Kern really redefined the whole audio market when they have released the Acro CA1000T, the first desktop-sized but still portable DAP on the market, it felt like the perfect cross of a stack, desk station, high-end headphone amplifier, DAC and everything in between. It still feels like the best desktop DAP available, but PAW GT2 has a much better wireless and bluetooth integration, a faster and more reliable firmware. Both have a closed firmware, but Acro CA1000T supports more streaming features, yet I prefer using the PAW GT2 for most things, as it loads faster and I can actually pocket it. Although on paper CA1000T has a considerably higher maximum driving power, GT2 actually sounds fuller, more controlled, less grainy, smoother and less distorted at high volumes than CA1000T. In the tuning itself, PAW GT2 is fuller, richer, and more natural, with a more pleasing to the ear sounding midrange, while CA1000T sounds bright, sharp and a bit grainy in comparison, which is unusual for Astell&Kern, but CA1000T is a bit of an outlier sonically. Used as a desktop DAC for a stereo or larger system, I prefer the CA1000T as it has mini XLR balanced line outs at the back, while PAW GT2 requires an adapter, but when driving IEMS and sensitive headphones CA1000T has a fairly audible hissing, along with NuTubes noise, while PAW GT2 is more silent. Basically, everything that revolves around driving actual headphones and using it as a DAP is better on the PAW GT2, while everything that revolves around driving a larger system is simpler and more convenient on the CA1000T. Sonically, PAW GT2 is more refined, smoother, more pleasing, more dynamic, less harsh, less grainy, while CA1000T has the tube distortion applied on an extremely neutral to slightly bright tuning.
Lotoo PAW GT2 vs iBasso DX320 MAX TI (3200 USD vs 3499 USD) – Starting with the shape and design, DX320 MAX Ti is a similar sized DAP, although it is a bit larger, thicker, wider and a bit heavier too. For most practical reasons, you can consider them mostly to be equal, but PAW GT2 is a bit smaller. The firmware is incredibly stable for both, but DX320 MAX Ti is an open Android system, with a unique Audio Only Mango Mode, while PAW GT2 runs a closed system that does not allow you to install any apps. DX320 MAX Ti can run streaming apps like Tidal in native mode, it has an excellent Wifi signal strength and reception, but just like with PAW GT2, it is not a good transmitter for bluetooth headphones simply because then you’re relying on the quality of the Bluetooth DAC / AMP inside of the headphones, and you’re bypassing the whole audio part of those DAPs. DX320 MAX Ti can run almost any app that you can install on an android device, it is snappy, has a more colorful, brighter and more beautiful display, both devices have more or less the same excellent build quality. Sonically, DX320 MAX Ti is a bit warmer, more natural, deeper and wider too, with a more punchy, more dynamic sound, while PAW GT2 is a bit softer. DX320 MAx Ti has a lot of extra tech inside to offer 4 different levels of gain, so it has more control and a lower noise floor with IEMs, a higher maximum driving power, fuller and warmer sound, and a more natural texture too. This makes PAW GT2 sound a bit brighter, sharper, more emotional, and in general it takes away the hard edges in sound, all while sounding a bit more airy and lighter too. PAW GT2 sounds more emotional, even a bit sadder as an emotion, it combines well with sad music, classical, while DX320 MAX Ti works better for happy and pumped up music, rock, edm, and in general if you like strong dynamics, it is more dynamic. Out of the two, DX320 MAX Ti has a slightly higher price, slightly larger weight and size, so if you want the punchier sound, you’re better off spending a bit more, getting the one DAP that is heavier. For extremely hard to drive headphones, like Susvara unveiled, both drive them well, but DX320 MAX Ti has a higher headroom, and sounds warmer, which combines well with them, while PAW GT2 sounds more emotional and refines the textures a bit more, making them quite a bit less fatiguing and less aggressive. Neither cannot drive Susvara OG, and both handle very sensitive IEMS really well.
Pairings
Lotoo PAW GT2 + HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled (3200 USD + 8000 USD) – HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled is likely the most interesting headphone I have ever heard that can still be driven using a DAP, even if it has to be a powerful DAP like PAW GT2. What I like the most about this cobo is the transparency and resolution that you are able to hear with zero fatigue. Susvara U can get fatiguing fast, it has a more aggressive, forward sound than the original Susvara, but PAW GT2 gives it a really pleasing signature, with a balanced tonality, softer impact, but a smoother texture, allowing all music to have a higher dynamic range, emphasizing especially classical music and giving each piece its own space to play in. Overall, I would consider this combo to be absolute heaven, unless you wanted a warmer, or thicker sound out of Susvara U, a situation in which there are quite a few other options available that can still drive them. PAW GT2 will stay neutral and true to the source, and slightly soft, and often this is all that Susvara U needs to be even more enjoyable.
Lotoo PAW GT2 + Palma DHS-1 (3200 USD + 2195 USD) – Another pairing that really makes you appreciate the refined, smoother and slightly softer character of the PAW GT2 is that with Palma DHS1 which is a warmer, harder sounding pair of headphones. They are not hard to drive, but to really shine, they need a refined, high-resolution source, so PAW GT2 is the perfect match, as it refines and opens their sound, slightly thins out the midrange, and creates a more emotional, more engaging and less hard approach to music. It feels like DHS-1 in particular are uplifted and become more open, this effect being audible both in the open and in the closed modes. Also, I really love the fact that it can really pack a punch with DHS-1, which although not requiring a ton of power, seems to only come alive when the source has a high headroom and a higher voltage (same effect happens with other sources that have a fairly high voltage like DX320 MAX Ti).
Lotoo PAW GT2 + Campfire Moon Rover (3200 USD + 1199 USD) – Finally, we couldn’t finish the whole review and pairings part without doing an IEM combo, and although Moon Rover is not the most sensitive of earphones out there, they can show source hissing and background noise, but GT2 shows literally zero, it is dead quiet, and the same can be said when you’re using it with Bonneville, or Soundz Flame. The combo is very portable, but what is more surprising is the level of details, intimacy of the vocals, and yet the resolution and refinement. The slightly softer sound of GT2 really comes alive together with the Moon Rover, the combo sounds vivid, real, lively and yet has a strong, thick bass, and a bright, open and airy treble. Moon Rover is not extremely hard to drive or to master, but it really shines and becomes something much more when driven by a good source like PAW GT2.
Value and Conclusion
Lotoo PAW GT2 has a high price for the current market, but it is part of a very special flagship segment of portable, but large and heavy DAPs, being the lightest, most ergonomic and most portable DAP in that category. Keeping this in mind, it feels like great value, if you wanted something big, powerful, as you get something more portable than the others, but still with the same class of resolution, driving power, and a more rounded, more ergonomic shape. Especially if you enjoy a more closed system instead of Android, if you want a pure music experience and with Bluetooth DAC, LTTP, Airplay and DLNA being powerful enough as streaming services for you, PAW GT 2 will be the best choice for you.
Before the end of today’s review, I will add the Lotoo PAW GT2 to the Audiophile-Heaven Hall Of Fame, it is basic perfection for a DAP, it has an outstanding performance, a beautiful design, and yet in many ways, it is more complex, more powerful than the competition, including having lossless wireless streaming abilities when connected to your smartphone via the LTTP protocol, but also has the driving power high enough to handle susvara Unveiled, so basically 99.9% of the headphones on the market, yet virtually zero noise with all the IEMs I tested it with.
At the end of the day, Lotoo has proven once again that they can still be at the top of the audio game even though they make a DAP less than once per year, as they make only relevant products with long shelf-life. There’s something magic about each and every Lotoo product, and PAW GT2 is one of the most versatile, yet purely made for music DAPs in a long time, it is thick and heavy, but portable, and it feels like having the power of an atomic generator in your pocket, with the delicacy and control of a microscope, yet the featherly musicality of piano, all powering your IEMs and headphones. Lotoo PAW GT2 is a fully recommended purchase and DAP and currently one of my favorite ways of listening to music.
PROs
- Outstanding Sonic Performance
- Very stable firmware, everything works as intended, it is excellent in the firmware
- Long battery life
- No drain while it is turned off
- Incredibly high driving power, incredibly low background noise with sensitive IEMS
- Superb display
- SD card support instead of microSD
- Type-C input
- Balanced 4.4mm headphone output and line out
- Superb attention to details
- Excellent overall Music Player
- Much smaller than the competition that has comparable driving power and design
Cons
- Can get quite warm during usage
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3Rqec5C
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ookpxLp
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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