Sony NW-WM1Z/WM1A DAPs

Has anyone upgraded their Sonys? Music Sanctuary offers some different upgrades, but looks to be just wiring, which I have no interest in doing. I thought I read somewhere about a power mod, but only found the K mod from music sanctuary. My 2 complaints for this dap are the search function, or lack thereof, and the power. It could use a little more juice.

 

Per their site looks like the "Premium Plus" mod includes adding some capacitors as well as the wiring and other bits listed. Bit pricey to me at ~$770 USD (1049 SGD).

Here's the list of mod options (from https://music-sanctuary.com/collections/services/products/1960s-mod-wm1-zx300) -

The WM1Z mod with 1960s wiring have the following included:
1. Brand new Pentaconn 4.4mm socket (to ensure that solder used on the socket is fresh, and not contaminated by existing solder)
2. 1960s wiring mod for both single ended and balanced outputs
3. Exotic Mitsubishi Heavy Industries precious metal (not gold) based solder used for all solder joints, existing solder will be cleaned off prior to soldering with the precious metal based solder.
4. 1960s wire for the DC ground wiring
5. Isolation of inductor coils and capacitors with shielding products from Japan (Oyaide and fo.Q)

Tiers and pricing structure (prices includes free DHL/FedEx shipping to customer)

Basic
2-wire: S$549 (single 1960s wire for DC ground section)

Deluxe
4-wire: S$699 (dual 1960s wire for DC ground section)

Premium
4-wire single ended, 8-wire balanced: S$899 (dual 1960s wire for DC ground section)

Premium PLUS
4-wire single ended, 8-wire balanced+2 pairs of tantalum capacitors wired parallel to analog output: S$1049 (dual 1960s wire for DC ground section)

 

I must have overlooked the capacitors. I agree, does seem pricey...nit even sure if I'd hear a difference either. Is that the only mod for these devices?

 

Some other companies in Asia are doing the mod as well, such as Brimar (?), but I believe MS does the most in terms of modifications.

I have the full premium+ and I do hear a difference, but whether it's worth it will be up to you. I would let people here try mine at Canjam NYC next year if they're attending (I should be...)

 

Would you mind expanding on the differences you hear? Thanks.

 

Sorry for the delay; am on a whisky pilgrimage right now.. The following are based on the 4.4mm output, and I don't remember the sound of the stages below Premium+ very well.

The biggest difference would be the significantly blacker background versus the stock 1Z. The bass is also punchier, with more body and layering. The mids and treble become slightly less warm in tonality, sounding a bit 'cleaner' versus stock, but they still retain the Sony house sound (warm and musical IMO).

I feel that the biggest difference would be from the extra Tantalum capacitors, followed by an equal jump from the extra wiring to the outputs and the power wiring.

If someone asked me if the upgrade was worth it, I'd tell them: if you love the tonality of the player as is, then I wouldn't modify it and just enjoy. Also, if you find the quantity of the bass to be just right or slightly too strong, I'd leave it be. However, if you would like an increase in quality across the board, along with very slightly more bass quality, then by all means go for the mod.

 

You had me at "the bass is punchier, with more body and layering"... Thank you!!

 

So I just read this, and thought I'd let you know that the power of the player goes down slightly. I had to add on maybe 1 or 2 ticks on high gain / 2 to 3 on low gain. This is due to the extra Tantalum caps drawing on more power I suppose.

 

Brace yourselves guys. Sony is launching a $9k Desktop DAP (mini DAC/Amp with memory support and playback control capabilities) called the DMP-Z1 tomorrow. There is a picture of it on one of the last few pages on Head-Fi’s 1A/1Z thread.

 

I just want a ZX300 that supports Spotify thanks Sony - dont worry about the other lifestyle stuff.

 

$9k DAP with an AKM chip?

 

Sony site: https://www.sony.com.hk/en/electronics/walkman/dmp-z1

HF page: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/official-sony-dmp-z1-thread.886122/

 

Wow, I don't see how that thing could be worth $9,000. It looks pretty.

 

Seen pics of the thing in the wild, jeebus it's big intimidating enough that people might actually mistake it for a weapon. I think that's a 4,4mm Pentaconn jack in the top left?

 

Hard to tell, but I would bet it's a 4.4mm hack. Ridiculously overpriced as well. Way to go Sony.

 

What would even be the purpose of a desktop component sized DAP? What's the use case for this?

 

It is not that big... it is battery operated... so you could:
- move it around in different rooms
- take it in the garden or on the balcony
- bring it with you to the office (don ´t forget to chain it up around the handle bars...)
- see it as an investment if the gold price goes up
Last but not least:
- Torq could take it on his boat

 

Please be true...

 

I can see the use for a transportable setup. I'm planning to pack my ADI-2 DAC in a hard case along with a battery pack and a tablet. On second thought about the Sony I think I'm just confused by the form-factor.

It has the screen on "top" and volume and hp jacks on the "bottom" like a DAP you'd hold in your palm and then pocket, but it's way too big for that. Once you put it on a desk it's a good size for an AIO and the "bottom" becomes the "front" nicely but the screen on "top" seems pretty awkward to me.

I think it could work better with a different layout. It would probably be best make the screen hinged so it can be propped up for a better view. Moving the screen to the front and putting the volume knob on top like the Grace 9XX of JDS Element could work too. The knob could even be recessed into the case to give the same kind of protection the "crash bars" offer now.

 

Good find, looks promising. I have a ZX300 that is also on that slide. WTF is a "vinyl processor"? I'm cringing that it's probably some dsp filth that adds "warmth", or rather "distortion" (and who knows, maybe the odd pop and crackle too).

EDIT - I googled and seems it's not far from the truth. From Sony's own literature...

"The newly developed Vinyl Processor feature recreates via some clever processing, the acoustic phenomenon unique to vinyl playback such as the tone-arm resonance, tiny surface noise and the rich sound from the vibration by acoustic feedback from the speakers to the turntable."

http://www.sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20180809_3_e.pdf