Four Way Portable (Sony ZX2, iPhone 6, AK100ii, Chord Mojo) Shootout w/ Andromeda IEM

Such a great DAP, just a shame it's stuck on kit kat. Wonder if Sony plans on releasing a ZX3 haha.

 

That's what I want, ZX3!!! Owned zx1 and 2. Loved both. Hoping Sony makes ZX3 and really improves the few shortcomings the zx2 had.

 

New Sony players coming soon, google:
Sony NW-A35
Sony NW-A30
Sony NW-WM1Z

 

Exactly, and hopefully it'll run nougat, and have qualcomm quick charge. If we're lucky, maybe even get root this time around. xD

 

I would kill for root on that device. I tried, but failed. Also tried to see if we could get a bounty going on xda, but no luck. If I could root the zx2, I'd be set. I wouldn't care about being stuck on kit Kat.

 

Good read for those who want to know what is OS-CON, POSCAP and other technical design behind the Walkman series:
http://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/design-interview-with-zx1-designers.html

 

You guys, please check on this one :

http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/867/867558/

A little bit absurd for a DAP, but its definitely sounds very good, and for me its better sounding than ZX2

 

Seen that on HF. It records and shit too.

 

That is fuglier and bulkier than the oroginal hm901 no thanks

 

Ahaha, i know a guy who used that , got a short listen time in a meeting. Great sounding indeed but its super not-practical in portable aspect.

 

here's some findings on Zx2 synergy and some portable headphone impressions:

audeze sine:
Zx2 lack the power to portrait strong bass but the vocal was really smooth sounding. Soundstage isn't that wide, Though the comfort level is quite bad.

Jvc wood sw01 and sw02:
these are pretty mediocre sounding for the price. Veiled and muddy dark. With the more expensive sw01 being more dark and mid bass lumpy. Avoid.

Sennheiser amperior:
Zx2 has great synergy with it, if you like deep punching bass with sharp treble and transients. No soundstage to speak of.

Audio Technica es770 and esw990:
WOW. Deep bass, smooth vocals and detailed highs and wide soundstage. Zx2 works really well with these cans, esw990 sounds warmer with more mid focus while the es770 sounds brighter. These cans are awesome. Not much impressions on the web but do give it a try, they are good. The es770 are extreme value for money, very high performance for low price.
ZX2 with esw990 is like patrick stewart with ian mckellen, the perfect match: Beautiful sound, from bottom to top, silky high treble, sweet mid range, detailed and smooth clear vocals, bass with slam and depth, zero sibilance, natural sounding sound stage, no nastiness to speak of.

es770 csd:
http://goldenears.net/board/GR_Headphones/5887045

 

Anyone had a chance to compare the LG V10 in hifi mode to any of the portables mentioned here? I've heard it's significantly better than the Iphone 6, but I'd be interested to see how it compared to true hifi gear.

 

I have the LG V10 and have compared it to the Fiio X7, LPG, shanling M5, soundaware Esther, and maybe one or two others. It definitely holds its own against all of those.

X7 with stock amp module (am1), I prefer the LG V10. I also prefer the LG V10 over the Shanling M5...

LPG I definitely prefer sound wise over the LG. Soundaware Esther I preferred as well. X7 I prefer with the better amp modules.

If you want more in depth comparisons, I'll try. I don't have all of those players anymore. I do have the X7 and lgv10 in my possession.

 

No worries, thanks for the info. I just got the V10 and after listening to music at work through my Fiio E17 for 2 years, the V10 blows it out of the water and is so much more convenient. I have some nice desktop gear, but have never tried high end portable stuff. It's nice to know the V10 performs at an upper mid-fi level and can compete with the big boys. Compared to the E17, the background is pitch black and the dynamics are on another level. It powers my HD600s with ease and even gives me that euphonic depth feeling in my gut/balls (although that might be the confirmation bias talking). Can't wait to see what LG does with the V20 in September, it could really be a game changer if they improve upon the DAP further.

 

Also, totally unrelated... and I might be the dumbest person on this forum.... but how do I change my username?

 

Lol. I think you need to pm a mod or admin.

 

The stock one is good. it looks like Poweramp doesn't support a lot of formats.

 

update on my nwzx2 experience:

Holy balls, make sure you burn this thing in for the 100+ hours, sony isnt bull shitting.

The caps get quiter and quiter overtime it seems to the point where there is no background hiss. I had a lot of hiss right out of the box. Inaudible now. Also the plankton has increased dramatically ive noticed.

PS.

dont play games or do anything non music related on this thing. kitkat with 800mb of ram = no fun

PSS.

on the audio settings:

clear audio + : total crap for good headphones/iems, just boosts the treble basically. Good for cheap crappy sounding earphones though, makes them listenable i found

surround sound: ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, no

EQ: not a fan of eq, built in one is petty meh too

dsee hx: I actually like this a lot. This is basically sonys "burrito filter" that upsamples everythng to 24/192. I actually like it a lot on mp3s or crappily mixed songs

 

No matter how hard I try(listening to hundreds of different songs), I still cannot detect any kind of Sigma Delta Digitius on the full burnt in ZX2(200hours+) and this is with a HD800 in chain. The ZX2 Sound reproduction reminds me so much of my younger days when I was listening to analog cassette tape(Dolby B NR anyone?) a sound that is free from digital harshness.

 

^ I can agree with that. the zx2 has a unique timbre too it.

I have to say its probably the best dap ive ever owned. and i have literally owned just about everything

literally fiio x3 to ak380 and everything in between.

my top 3 would be

1. nwzx2
2. dpx1
3. cayin n5 (budget)

dpx1 some people might prefer over the nwzx2, depending on your tastes and choice of iem (nwzx2 has about 2-3ohm output imedance)