Sony NW-WM1Z/WM1A DAPs

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by mrweirdude, Sep 1, 2016.

  1. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I wonder how much less battery the custom OS uses in comparison to Android? As far as I can tell the battery life ratings are similar for the ZX2 vs the WM1A/Z but the latter have much more power and no Android.

    A smaller ZX2 using a custom OS (+ USB DAC feature) would be amazing.
     
  2. Drifterxny

    Drifterxny Friend

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    Do you feel any differently knowing that the 1z can be had for 2k USD instead of the 3200 msrp?
    I struggled with whether or not to upgrade to 1z and return 1a all day yesterday given the 2k price. Ended up deciding to keep my 1a mainly due to weight, can't imagine carrying it around in dress pants pocket in the summer, tried it out with 1a for a day and already had to tighten the belt. Plus I'm rather satisfied with the way 1A sounds with andros.
     
  3. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    At 2k it definitely changes things... A lot. Even so, it's still expensive. Like @Marvey said, incremental improvements... So hard to say get this device over a zx2, which can be found much cheaper and still does things the 1z doesn't... Primarily streaming. Personally, at 2k, I think it's a great deal... But still for minor improvements you're paying a premium.
     
  4. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    If you jumped on the deal, I think a new WM1A at 800 from amazon is a good for the price as used zx2s go for around 600-650. I found 1.2k price too steep for me. I think the balanced actually outputs less hiss than the single ended. The overall reduction in hiss is welcome because the hiss on the zx2 for me was quite noticeable. It was about the same as a Go V2+ single ended. I also like the high output gain setting. If you put it on, the sound is more punchy and bass increases like the zx2, although it made the sound slightly drier which slightly affected the soundstage. I found that although the player does respond better to sound adjustment settings and eq, it is still better to go Direct Mode.

    Marv I think the output impedance is 0.94, 0.95 if I remember correctly.

    I hope my WM1A gets to TRex soon. First time USPS hasn't delivered in time for me.....hopefully the package will get "unstuck" and move in a few days, or just show up at his door >< urgh.
     
  5. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    I am very much old enough to be in that boat! I had a massive collection of tapes... The Baseball Cards/Pokemon of the day, for me, were Grateful Dead shows. I spent a lot of my (kid) waking hours chasing tapes. I standardized on Maxell XL-IIs... a quick google brought back a FLOOD of memories:
    http://compactcassette.weebly.com/maxell-xl-iis--1988-1989.html

    Ahhh, those were the days.

    I was actually just showing a buddy of mine my ZX2, and we marveled that I have over 50 Dead shows sitting on it. That would have been quite a lot of tapes, I would have needed a frame pack...

    Anyway. Thanks for the additional thoughts, I do think I'd like the 1Z, but I probably have a fine solution as is. I am using my iDSD BL with the ZX2 when I need/want more than it can give me. Now I just need to find a set of closed cans that sound good with the ZX2 (and are reasonably portable), and back at the hotel with the iDSD BL.
     
  6. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Cassette tapes... The gold old days. Everything is so damn different today... I remember riding up to the local music store on my bike as a kid and buying tapes, CDs, etc. Even a few times buying vinyl. Good memories.
     
  7. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    I actually just inherited my father-in-laws Nakamichi Dragon deck. I think I might have killed for one when I was a teen back in the 80's! And yeah, the metal TDK cassette's were definitely the best, and like the 1Z far heavier than anyone else was used to. I still have 2-3 of those around, as they were mixes I made for my girlfriend back then (now wife for over 20 years) and I can't bring myself to throw them out.

    The 1Z for 2175 IMHO is quite a deal. I have both the 1A (got for $800 through Amazon UK) as well as a 1Z (which I got cheaper than I should have as an open-box return) and keep finding myself going back to the 1Z.

    Cheers
     
  8. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Nakamichi, great stuff back in the day. I remember them from my car stereo days... Which I miss sometimes, a lot.
     
  9. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Hmm, that's disappointing to hear. I have a 1z incoming tomorrow, but I definitely preferred the zx2 with that process disabled. I may as well listen to it since it'll be here, but I guess it'll probably go back.
     
  10. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Look on the bright side, you'll save about $3k. :)
     
  11. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    That's true (well 2.1k, thanks amazon.co.uk)...I suppose I may look for a used zx2 again or just be happy with my lg v20 phone. It's not perfect, but I think it's good enough for most situations I use iem's in. The sabre sound doesn't bug me as much as it does for most (those tin ears again!).

    Maybe throw the money at new speakers and pocket the leftovers.
     
  12. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Has anyone run HD600/650 from the balanced output? I would be interested to know how it performs, particularly in comparison to GO2A...
     
  13. Warrior

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    I plan on getting my 650s rewired for balanced in next few weeks. Doesn't help now though, sorry.
     
  14. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    It performs very well with the HD-650 from the balanced output, with more than enough power to play louder (while maintaining proper control and authority) than I'll ever want to listen even without resorting to high-gain mode. With the WM1A in "direct" mode (no EQ or other processing) enabled I find it a convincing and largely neutral listen (as in it's not really affecting the general tonality of the HD-650).

    It's not bad off the single-ended output either, but that does need high-gain mode and will still likely leave you wanting more volume. There's a small drop in drive-authority here as well, though dynamics remain good (within the confines of the smaller available dynamic range).

    When I compared it back-to-back with the GOV2+ Infinity (highest gain setting, FRM filter) the LH Labs unit realized a slight improvement in bass articulation and a very subtle improvement in it's sense of "effortlessness" at high-volumes ... both of which I'd put down to the GOV2+ Inf having more power available as this effect was not apparent if I ran the two units into an external amplifier.

    I'll have more detailed comparisons here, probably this evening.
     
  15. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Thanks. I am looking for an all-in-one transportable solution for Andromeda and HD600/650. I have been deliberating over WM1A, mainly its lack of USB DAC mode, but on one hand it would be kind of awesome to say F U to computer audio and to step away from the keyboard and just enjoy music...
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    That's one of the things I enjoy about the ZX2. For how much computer audio is heralded as "convenient", we as humans beings tend to be stupid and not realize how things like the original Walkman were self-contained and didn't require a screen, mouse, and keyboard to play music.
     
  17. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    Thumbs up to that. Even with other, better choices around my home, I sometimes opt for the simplicity of the ZX2 and a pair of headphones. The big side play/pause/FF buttons work great, and inside the leather case, it takes me back to a simpler time.
     
  18. mscott58

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    Great news all NW-WM1A/1Z owners! Sony has updated the firmware from v1.02 to v1.10, and the UI responsiveness appears to have gotten much quicker. Just updated my 1A and had no issues and it didn't reset any setting or counters/timers. Now about to update my 1Z as well. This helps reduce one of the gripes with this DAP. Here's the link:

    http://walkman.update.sony.net/fw/pc/WM1/NW-WM1_V1_10.exe

    Cheers all
     
  19. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Found a cool case for the 1A/1Z. Hand-made leather from an Etsy craftsman in Ukraine. Here's the link to his store on Etsy, although he appears to make them one at a time and @Warrior just bought the one that was listed. Sure he'd make more.

    The cover is like a book, and the flaps and cover are magnetic, although the elastic strap seems to do most of the work in holding the case on the DAP.

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/496894870/protection-case-accessory-sony-walkman?ref=shop_home_active_2

    Cheers

    PS - It's only $65 delivered to the US

    PPS - You don't have to lift the cover on the side to use the buttons, the leather is soft enough that you can just push through the leather to activate the buttons.



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    Last edited: Feb 21, 2017
  20. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Thanks for the link Michael. I'll post when I receive it. Right now, I'm very busy enjoying my 1z balanced. I've never heard balanced make a difference before, and in this instance, it's quite obvious. I'm shocked.
     

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