Entering the market of personal players, Lotoo company, as they say, "came with a trump card". Their debut model Paw Gold is distinguished by excellent (according to reviews) sound quality, a bit lurid design and a completely wild price tag. Despite this, the sound allowed the player to take a worthy place on the Olympus audiophile flagships. Realizing that one mega-road model will not go far, Lotoo decided to release a budget model, creating PAW 5000, which became the hero of today's review.
To develop a budget player in Lotoo came very unusual. Unlike other manufacturers, trying even in low-cost solutions to use a full-featured DAC and amplifiers, Lotoo made the player based on TI TLV320AIC3105. This chip is a typical codec, combining a simple DAC, amplifier and digital signal processor. Complement the list of unexpected solutions support Blutooth, which allows you to connect the player to external speakers and wireless headphones. Another interesting feature is the USB 3.0 connector, which allows faster data exchange with the player. It is also worth noting that the lack of a full-featured DAC did not stop the developers from implementing DSD support (I think the software conversion is used in PCM).
Usually the use of codecs is the prerogative of the most inexpensive players (like the same xDuoo X2), but in this case the player is clearly appreciated by the manufacturer highly. in Russia it is possible for 24 500 rubles, which makes it a player in the middle segment, although in the world the cost of the player is even more expensive. Surprisingly, PAW has its niche and unique features that make it competitive in the current player market.
Specifications
- Processor: ADI Blackfin 514DSP
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (± 0.5 dB)
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.002% @ 1 kHz
- Maximum power: 75 mW @ 16Ω
- Max. Voltage: 1 Vrms
- Signal to noise ratio: > 100 dB
- Battery: 1700 mAh, 3.7V Li-pol
- Operating time from one charge: up to 10 hours
- Screen: 2 "OLED, 220 × 176
- Memory Cards: MicroSD up to 2 TB
- Weight: 110g
- Dimensions: 98 mm × 55 mm × 18 mm
- USB interface: USB 3.0 Micro-B
- Outputs: linear / SPDIF (3.5 mm TRS), headphone (3.5 mm TRS), balanced (2.5 mm TRRS)
- Bluetooth: 4.0
- Supported formats: DSD (DFF / DSF / ISO), FLAC, WAV, APE, OGG, AAC, ALAC, MP3, WMA, M4A
Packing and delivery kit
In Lotoo tried to do everything possible to emphasize the status of this player, was not an exception and packaging. Having removed the "dust jacket" from the main box, you can open it in the middle. In the lower half on the velvet lodgment the player rests, in the upper part there are accessories. In addition to the player itself and the warranty instructions there, a USB 3.0 cable, a belt for carrying the player on the hand and a plastic cover for fast attachment of the device to this belt were put in the kit.
By the way, in Lotoo tried to emphasize the "sporting" component of the PAW 5000, in addition to the shoulder strap, this is also indicated by a special "sport" mode, in which you can adjust the speed of music, adjusting it to the rhythm of your run.
Design and management
It was this point that became the main factor that plays in favor of this device. The player is so cool made that picking up, he does not want to release. The front and back covers are made of metal and are attached to the plastic frame in the middle. For the covers of Lotoo picked up a nice texture and color, a bit like professional cameras. Similarity with phototechnics does not stop there, because the main control element is a wheel with a button inscribed in it. Unlike other models, here did not hang on the wheel as many different functions as possible, and generously provided the player with a whole array of buttons, of which almost all have two purposes (with short and long press). Both the buttons and the wheel are very pleasant tactile. The buttons are pressed very clearly and have a sufficient stroke, the wheel has a clear click, although skipping points sometimes happen, but, in general, there is no control over the censorship.
On the left side there are volume buttons and two switches, one controls the gain, the second - a dumping factor. I do not quite know why you need to turn on the second switch, since with it the sound becomes more "soft", maybe with some headphones it will come in handy, but I have not found one. On the front panel in the top row there are two buttons for switching tracks and rewinding and the folder selection button for playback (its long press can be reprogrammed in the settings). Below them in the column are located the return button (long press - go to settings), control the equalizer and the round button on / off and lock, inscribed in the ring LED indicator. The power-on indicator starts pulsating with a blue color, if you do not like it - this behavior can be turned off in the menu.
On the lower side there is a slot for microSD cards, on the top - all three interface sockets, on the right - USB 3.0 connector. By the way, if a high-speed cable is not available, you can use the usual MicroUSB.
The screen in the player used to be fairly simple, but it has a good enough margin for brightness, and a clever approach to design has allowed to create an interface that evokes an unambiguous wow effect. The matter is that during playback the player shows really working indicators of a level. There is a two-way indicator that shows the levels of the channels, and multiband, showing the levels of signals in different frequency bands, switching is carried out by means of long pressing of the play button. It carries away so much that you forget about the low resolution of the screen, the lack of a graphical menu, and the not always convenient control of the wheel.
There is no media library for the player, it plays music by folders, chooses the right one and listens, or you can open a complete list of your songs, for those who like to play randomly.
Settings for the player a lot, they are grouped by several menu items. In the playback settings, you can select the playback order, time display, DSD gain, turn on / off the line output and adjust the channel balance. System settings include: automatic shutdown timer, backlight settings (duration and brightness), firmware update, language selection (English and Chinese), formatting of the memory card, and more interesting options like showing the battery status and memory card test for speed. Bluetooth settings allow you to turn off and turn on the wireless interface, as well as connect to the detected devices. The last two menu items are responsible for enabling the sport mode and selecting the function for long press on the top right button (many useful options are available).
Separately, I note the player's ability to manipulate the sound. There are several interesting settings for digital signal processing (bass enhancement, high-frequency, etc.) and a parametric equalizer. The equalizer has ready tuning, traditionally optimized for different music styles, and the ability to select up to five frequencies yourself and set their gain / decrease level. In general, for fans to twist the sound PAW 5000 - a very good choice, especially because using the integrated in the codec DSP equalizer almost does not spoil the sound.
The overall feeling from the player is very positive, it is small in size, but it is plump, it falls into your hand like a native one, it is controlled comfortably and causes a lot of positive emotions. Everything is also collected at the proper level.
From the full charge of the battery, the player worked for 10 hours and 40 minutes, charging time was 3 hours and 5 minutes from the charger for the iPad.
Sound
To listen to the player, the following headphones were used:
- ZMF Omni
- Oppo PM-3
- Dunu DN-2000J, Titan 1, Titan 3 and Titan 5
- Lear LHF-AE1d
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
In general, the lack of a separate DAC in a compartment with not the most powerful amplifier makes itself felt. Compared to competitors in its price segment, the player plays a little simplified, the depth of the scene is not brilliant, but, in general, the developers managed to achieve a very interesting sound with an emphasis on detail and neutral feed. The player has a number of interesting features that make it unique in its own way, and, thanks to the development of MF, listening to this player, you do not want to carp at him, he so carries his sound.
LF player is generally good, it even tries to play sub-bass, but the main energy of the player's impact is put into the mid-bass area, because of this the deepest basses are not very detailed. They are not so much played as they simply designate their presence, but, in general, this is better than the complete absence of a given area of the spectrum. Midbas and above are good, their droplets are smaller than they would like and they are a bit dryish, but they are well controlled and by resolution they practically reach the competitors according to the price category.
SCH - very good for the details and speed, this parameter the player can argue with many more expensive models. In the supply of the MF, it is slightly lacking in softness, the player submits them dryly, without trying to smooth something or brighten up. This makes the PAW 5000 dependent on headphones and quality recordings, the slightest flaws will be pulled out and demonstrated to the user with all the ruthlessness. On the other hand, small nuances and emotions, this little one sends very well. The player builds a fairly wide imaginary scene, but it lacks depth.
The RFs are slightly worse than the average frequencies, but still good enough for the price category. Just like the MC, Lotoo does not try to soften them, so if you are critical to this range or have bright headphones, there's little risk of getting an oversupply of brightness. Although, I can say that for my taste, 5000 HF does not cross that side, beyond which there are many, even with headphones like DN-2000J, he wins this part of the range easily and quite pleasantly.
Compatibility
Unfortunately, the stuffing of the player did not allow the developers to make it powerful enough to consider it a universal solution. 75 milliwatts at 16Ω clearly make it clear that the main "partners" of this player are headphones-plugs and light in swinging full-size headphones. So you will have to consider this fact when choosing headphones for PAW 5000. Fortunately, the choice of good IEM models in recent years is very, very large. The player performed well with many headphones, starting with the Dunu Titan of all three versions, and ending with Trinity Audio Engineering Delta. The main thing that should be taken into account when choosing headphones is your own taste, neutral feeding of the player allows you to not particularly think about compatibility. The only exception is very bright headphones with reduced low frequencies.
The genre player is very versatile, it copes well with simple styles (thanks to the sub-base substrate) and with complex genres (here it is worth to thank the detail and resolution). To the quality of recording the player is quite sensitive, on a ten-point scale I would estimate the sensitivity of 9 points.
And, as usual, a few examples
Pantera - Cowboys from Hell. The first, the album of a supergroup released on a serious label. Original sound, driving reefs, and interesting melodies, everything for what we love this collective. With Lotoo PAW 5000, they sound very interesting, due to the detailed midrange player it is possible to transfer aggression and speed of this gang.
King Crimson - Larks Tongues in Aspic. Another melody, perfectly suited to this player. Great percussion games that precede this composition, turning into the main outline of this mega-complex melody - is where PAW feels very confident. Of course, he does not have enough depth in the construction of an imaginary scene, but the volume and width, as well as the detail and ease of filing with a vengeance, compensate.
Gerald English London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra - O Fortuna. Perhaps the most famous work for a large choir in one of the best performances. Also, perhaps, a work on which the hero of the review can show itself from the best side. Detailed MF, a good background LF is exactly what you need to correctly perceive such records and induce goosebumps, which they deserve. Of course, you can find fault with the material development here, but plunging into the many voices of the choirs, you do not want to do this.
conclusions
In general, despite some shortcomings, the younger PAW has a very interesting sound for those who like to listen to the details and nuances of music and appreciate the analyticity and impartiality of the source, here, perhaps, there are no equal in the category of up to 500 dollars. To this are added small dimensions, stylish design and tactile delight from control and visual from the interface. In general, a very healthy player for a music lover without an excessive bias in audiophile, wanting to get a high-end device.
The article is based on materials .
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