Walnut V2s Digital Audio (FLAC/MP3/etc) Players (DAPs AND DAC) Review

Walnut V2s WAV Player by wt

General InformationReviews

Pros - Crisp sound - Gobs of power on tap - Can be used as just an amp
Cons - Low volume channel imbalance - Slightly grainy upper-mids and treble

Today we're going to be taking a look at a basic DAP/AMP, taking form in the Walnut V2s.

Sometimes all you want is a straightforward, simple to use player. One that's low on features and frills, doesn't take a massive chunk out of your wallet, and doesn't skimp on sound quality. The Walnut V2s does all of this quite well.

Let's check out ,

At the time of this review the V2s retailed price range P1, 000 to P1, 080 available at Shopee ships from overseas.

Specifications:

Supported Formats: FLAC, APE, WAV, MP3
Battery: 1,500 mAh lithium
Battery Life: 15 h
Amp Power Supply: 16v
Drive Capacity: 15-300Ω
Storage: Sd card 32gb max
Can copy files from pc.

More Stuff: Output Uses Elna SILMICII silk capacitor; Input uses EIna Black-neg; Can act as standalone amp if you want

Packaging and Accessories:

A simple device needs a simple package and accessory kit to back it up. In the case of the V2s, you get a plain cardboard box free of any designs or branding and a Micro USB and IC cable. No manual, free black case and pouch. That's it.

Build and Design:

My first thought upon seeing the V2s was that it looked old. Cool, but old. I love the black and while color scheme with cursive writing explaining the function of the five buttons on the face and input/outputs peppered across the unit.

In hand the aluminum shell feels very solid and durable, able to take a kicking from even the most careless of owners. The front and rear plates look to be made of the same PCB material used to make circuit boards. While it doesn't look impressive from a fit and finish perspective, it's a functional and tough as nails material. The only part that feels even remotely fragile is the long, slender power switch out back.

While the V2s is a little thick and weighs about as marlboro lights , it's still small enough to be pocketable. Unless you wear skin tight skinny jeans. That's probably not going to work.

I like it on my pocket because you can press all control inside your pocket without taking out, like skipping songs or folder.

Overall the build and design is more about function over form. The unit feels good in hand with controls that are easy enough to access and understand, so much so it doesn't take long to learn to control it without looking at what you're doing.

Ease of Use, Controls, and EQ:

Once you figure out the V2s' intricacies, it's a very easy to navigate player. However, figuring out it's functions is learned either through trial and error, or online in the forums. Here is what I can share about the controls based on information found on Head-fi, and my own experiences.

Prev: Press once to return to the start of the track. Press twice to skip to the previous track. Hold to prompt the "Last Folder" queue, and hold again to actually skip to the last folder.

Stop: Press once to stop music from playing. Hold to delete the current track.

Next: Press once to skip to the next track. Press and hold to prompt the "Next Folder" queue, and hold again to actually skip to the next folder.

Mode: Press once to let the player run through a single cycle of everything on the memory card. A second press plays everything on random. A third press turns all that off and just plays your tunes in the order loaded on the memory card. Hold down the button to lower the volume digitally.

EQ: Press once for the "Rock" setting. Press twice for "Pop". Press three times for "Classical". Press a fourth time for "Jazz". Hold down to increase the volume digitally.

I found the EQ settings to make a pretty noticeable difference in the presentation.

Rock - increases treble and mid-presence, thins out the sound and improves separation, reduces overall bass quantity; overall a nicely balanced setting that works well with most music

Pop - significantly reduces treble presence and pulls back the mid-range while boosting mid-bass quantity; not a fan of this with anything but extremely bright earphones or headphones as it makes the V2s sound veiled and muddy

Classical - thins out the sound even more than on the 'Rock' setting, adds even more treble, and reduced bass presence even more; not a fan as it is too clinical, sucking out any emotion and impact a track may have had

Jazz - Much like the 'Rock' setting but with a more forward mid-range, more impactful bass, and further improved clarity nearing what the "Classical" setting outputs; my favorite EQ of the bunch and what I left the player on the majority of the time.

BONUS : by removing sd card and pressing EQ you can. Activate the Bluetooth function super short range, because it has no antenna but can be fix by modding and add antenna.

Can be modded: Yes
You can change the Capacitors ( caps from Gigabyte Mother board are good, if you have scrap mobo tips from Mark Ernan).

New stocks are upgraded to Nik on FW gold capacitor series makes the sound softer or gentle. Luckily i got the upgraded version and English version

Op Amp roll, you can change the stock OP amp 8 pin or Dp8 ( if you don't have idead see pics) you can buy op amp DP8 online (Lazada, Shopee or Ali Express)

I like OPA1622 sounds better SQ than Stock NE5532P.. Still want to upgrade to Burson v5iD 😜. Yeah why not..

Customs case, i got my Team Crystal Ship (Version 3.0) V2s on a fully modular and vented clear acrylic case. Reinforced with brass and stainless hex screws case from CryBaby Customs.

You can connect it too on computer and make it a USB external soundcard, can copy files from computer to ur sd card.. No problem on Windows 7 and Windows 10 for me. If you have low quality or low volume laptop sound card this one is good amp.

I like better than my phone.. Boost volume for me.
Awkward moment when guard maken sita of me. Ano pinipindot pindot mo, and I say mp3 po.
Let them think that way, but never tell a boomb joke in public. Kasi naman nasa pinas tayo baka makulong kapa 😅..