Sony NW-WM1Z/WM1A DAPs

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

  1. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Lol. No, I'm using the dignis case. I don't care for the stock case at all.
     
  2. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Think you'll like the Ukrainian case as well! Have they shipped it yet? Cheers
     
  3. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Yes, shipped. Didn't get it yet though. Hopefully it comes before Friday... Cause I'm out!!! Hawaii here I come.
     
  4. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Lucky man!

    So inquiring minds want to know what gear you'll be taking on your trip.
     
  5. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Lol. Taking my big pelican case. It will be loaded with the following gear:

    Sources
    Sony 1z (of course)
    Cowon S
    RHA DacAmp L1
    Headstage Arrow 5tx

    IEMS
    Tralucent Ref 1 Too, Ref 1 OG, and Plus 5
    Empire Ears Zeus-r
    Sony EX800st, Z5, and ex1000
    Campfire Vegas
    Ibasso IT03

    Cables
    Tralucent uBer Too
    Beats Virginia
    ALO Ref 8 balanced 4.4 and Ref 8 balanced 2.5

    Maybe ALO CDM. Big maybe. Probably not.

    I think that's it... Should be enough to entertain me on this long ass flight.
     
  6. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Love it. Can imagine the TSA person scanning that case! "Um, sir, we're going to have to take a look at this Pelican case...."

    I've actually gotten in the habit of pulling my Pelican 1050 that holds my 1Z and Vega's out of my bag and putting it in one of the dog-bowls on the x-ray machine belt as almost 100% of the time TSA was pulling my whole bag to take a look at the "chunk of metal" with all that copper.

    Cheers
     
  7. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Lol. I took it to NY when I went to see my dad for his surgery. Surprisingly, they didn't stop me. Nothing. A few years back, I went to an airport, and they questioned me about my rsa intruder and my dap, which I think was the the zx1, at that point.
     
  8. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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  9. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Mscott beat me to it Lol
     
  10. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Back to 1000 now though.
     
  11. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Damn. I recently Changed my amazon PW, couldn't remember it, then got sidetracked at work. Would have been another stupid impulse buy anyway
     
  12. Khai

    Khai New

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    Recently after finally getting a listen to the Orpheus 2 at CanJam Singapore, i decided to download the first 2 tracks which the guys from Senn had me to listen to which was Strive (Amber Rubarth) & Somewhere, Somebody (Jennifer Warnes).

    Listening to those 2 tracks on my 1Z paired with Andros on balanced was nothing compared to the experience i felt on the Orpheus 2.

    Now that is ofcourse a given and i wasn't really hoping for anything similar. But having said that, what struck me most was how soft and mellow the entire Sessions From The 17th Ward by Amber Rubarth (DSD124, 5.6mhz) was! On balanced 4.4mm i had to listen to the entire album at 65 for it to be of any listening pleasure!

    I have several other albums on DSD but when compared to normal FLAC files and regular MP3 , i find myself having to turn up the volume.

    I find that the DSD files i have on hand are more articulate with better spatial seperation and a darker background which renders details better. But compared to the other formats i have , DSD files lack the dynamics and punch of the latter.

    And does anyone here listen to their daps with earphones on high-gain?
     
  13. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I always use high gain, unless I'm in bed sleeping. For the 1z,its always in high gain though. That's the only dap I keep in high gain.
     
  14. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    The DSD/SACD reference level is -6db compared to PCM. Maybe volume matching has something to do with it.
     
  15. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Mine's always on high gain as well. Cheers
     
  16. Khai

    Khai New

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    High gain via 4.4 balanced output @mscott58 ?

    Correct me if I am wrong but the balanced output jack already provides more power and hence would it not be an overkill of sorts to activate high-gain as well when listening through iems/ciems ?

    If that is the case with you and @Warrior ; could you share with me what you guys feel might be a difference with Balanced VS Balanced + High-gain ? Other than just a louder overall listening experience? Better clarity over the entire spectrum perhaps ?
     
  17. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    The sound signature changes with high gain and sounds better. The hiss doesn't increase and the sound gets fuller. Bass is much fuller and the sound is more forward and fuller in general. Low Gain is more airy and wider, but isn't as impactful and has less depth. I do heart smaller details better on low gain through andromedas. This is on a wm1a. I switch between the two but most of the time I prefer high gain.
     
  18. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    This.

    And I mostly use a 1Z (have a 1A as well but also leave it on high gain out of the balanced output) and play my Vega's.

    Cheers
     
  19. Khai

    Khai New

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    Thank you guys for lending me your thoughts.

    I must admit i was mostly under the impression that high gain on a DAP was always kinda reserved for driving headphones.

    Having said that, i do agree that the sound has gotten more articulate with better body and that vocals are being brought forward. That was pretty clear especially when i was listening to some Metallica and i felt that on this particular recording, emphasis was being put on instruments and the vocals were somewhat recessed which left them kinda in the background if you know what i mean.

    Initially i found that out when i was listening with my Andros via SE and when i finally got to my balanced 4.4 the vocals were brought forward more but still just a shade recessed. Only via high gain Balanced that it finally became even to me.

    Thanks and cheers!
     
  20. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    Has anybody had any luck connecting WM1A USB out to a Schiit DAC (particularly Gungnir Multibit)?

    Doesn't seem to work directly with the appropriate Sony USB out cable (but does on other DACs I own that are more geared towards USB OTG kind of things). Would a Wyrd or something else in between help?
     

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