Sony NW-WM1Z/WM1A DAPs

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

  1. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    (Emphasis, mine).

    The UI is indeed faster and more responsive. Even accounting for the fade-in/fade-out animation that seems to have been added (presumably to make it look like something was happening even if it wasn't), it's significantly faster than it was before.

    Thanks for the update!
     
  2. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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  3. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

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    Many people seem to think so. The only explanation I see is that in the WM1Z, the difference of power output is much more significant than on other DAPs I think.
     
  4. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Yes, I agree. I also think it sounds different other than volume. Not sure if that's my brain playing tricks on me though. When I volume match, as close as I can by ear, I think the balanced sounds different... Better. First time I've ever felt that way about any balanced connection.
     
  5. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    My only experience with balanced listening is the PonoMusic Player. Balanced is obviously better with the Pono using HD6X0 (the only headphones I have spent much time with on the Pono). There is an increase in amplifier power in balanced mode, but that isn't the only difference. Headstage improvement is obvious to me.

    It will revert to non-balanced mode sometimes when it is powered off. If I start playing it without first checking that setting, I will notice that it is not sounding right if it is not set to balanced. I can turn it up and it still sounds off. I check the setting and put it in balanced mode. I have to turn the volume down but the headstage stage is more open and larger regardless of volume. One thing that I have learned from reading SBAF is that there are different implementations of balanced. Some, apparently, don't make much difference (ex: Jot). Some, apparently, do make a noticeable difference (ex: LH Labs Geek Out... ).

    I have never heard this Sony, @Warrior . Perhaps it falls in the latter category.
     
  6. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

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    I also think that since balanced and SE are completely separated circuits in this DAPs, so it makes sense they sound different?
     
  7. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Yes, definitely makes sense. That's why I think this is the only player I've heard any difference running balanced, to date.
     
  8. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Has anyone tried both ZX100 and WM1A? I currently own ZX100 and love the form factor and battery life, and pairs very well with Andro. I am considering to upgrade to WM1A but not sure if it would be definitely an upgrade in terms of sound quality. Can anyone help?
     
  9. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    I'm getting what looks like a wonky 404 handler from that link. The UK site only lists 1.02. I wonder if they withdrew it?
     
  10. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    No, should should still be able to downline it. @Mimouille did. He used a VPN or something.
     
  11. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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  12. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Thanks. I got a 404 from a US IP, too- though I sort of doubt they'd actually geo-lock it. I've grabbed your copy anyway.
     
  13. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    I wonder if this is a case of them putting the upgrade app out but not announcing it, and then being surprised that people found it and pulling it back in? Seems like something that might happen as they follow what appears to be their super-long checklist approach. Heck, the 1A supposedly has been sitting at some US distributors for weeks if not months, and Sony has yet to let them sell the 1A's in America as they haven't checked all their boxes on preparing for sales.
     
  14. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Seriously, not on sale there yet?
     
  15. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Nope. 1A is no-go yet in US. Ugh
     
  16. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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  17. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    Hadn't noticed this before, but if you go all the way to the top of the navigation view and you choose "Hi-Res" and then "Album", when you select an album from there it will ONLY show those tracks that are actually* Hi-Res. Thus, if you have an album with mixed resolution tracks, which is not that uncommon, especially from HD Tracks, you won't necessarily get the entire album played.

    This is, presumably, deliberate, but it's the first time I'd noticed it.

    --

    *"Actually" Hi-Res just being anything that identifies itself as being more than 16-bit depth or greater than 44.1 KHz - it is NOT doing anything clever like seeing if the file was just up-sampled from a lower resolution source.
     
  18. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Anyone getting tired of their case? Thinking about going naked. Just want to feel the cool gold copper thing. Plus, I can feel the buttons a lot better. With the case I have to look, or try a lot harder to feel for them.
     
  19. Khai

    Khai New

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    I love the stock case that came with it and are you using that as well Warrior ?

    Initially I wanted those cases that Dignis made but I love the aesthetics of the DAP too much for it to be too covered! Personally i feel that the black leather stock case just compliments either the gold or black finish just right. Those 3rd party full body cases are just too gaudy looking in my personal opinion. I know it seems like a fashion statement but Yeah, sue me if I'm in love with audio bling ;)
     
  20. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Well, if you get bored with it, you can punt it my way- the 1A doesn't come with one :)

    (I put a screen protector on it, and keep it in a little Cordura drawstring bag in my pocket, or use an old Nintendo DS case when it goes it my bag..)
     

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