Sony NWZ-F806 mini review (& F-series player reviews / impressions / discussion) - Page 23

 

not quite right...............this is line out to aux in of a car stereo and requires car stereo at max volume.

volume cap applies only to headphone out and has no impact on line out volume...........seems like they set line out per volume cap setting.

 

i have no problem with this unit driving headphones, it is the line out voltage (with a LOD) that is the problem.

 

and there are lots of reports of low volume (for older walkman/players) on 'sony insider' and 'anything but ipod' and the only solution seems to be to futz with the service menu, hence my request.

 

again, the line out volume (not the headphone output) is so low that i have to run my car stereo (kenwood dnx9990hd) aux in volume very close to max, which is not necesary with an ipod LOD.

Cat... it may be worth the effort & popping into the WM-Z thread and asking the same question & don't forget to say it's for use with your motor... 'Way Too Crazy' could be the man to ask.

 

thanks, i'll take a look

speaking of the old sonys, i haf a 4gb s706F. haha.

i actually dont find some if any difference with the Clear Stereo (without amp/LOD) on my xba 4 if youre saying it works with sony headsets.

I think he meant the included dynamic EX earphones... no major difference on my XBA-3 either. I'll give it a shot on some lower bit rate MP3 when I get it though.

Also, a friend just bought TF10's yesterday, which sound absolutely creamy smooth compared to the XBA-3s, warmer, bassier, airier... but with less treble, brightness, sparkle that I like, likely because of their specified frequency response ending at 17 kilohertz. That said, boosting 16kHz on them is bliss, fabulous sound stage, they're perfect for the PS Vita.
The NWZ-Z10x0 had that atrocious RMAA result on an apparently european unit, so I'll make sure to try some unscientific listening tests on the F806 in due time with the TF10s. Assuming it is an excessively high impedance hardware limitation to comply with European standards, the European F806 should behave similarly and more so the international models should not, so yeah, I'll give it a try.

I would say a player like this is being wasted just running into a car stereo, where the sound is never going to be that great. Just get an iPod for your car stereo, and use the Sony for actually listening with headphones. 

 

actually, i would argue the opposite.  the car system, despite car road noise, is kenwood dnx9990HD==>Focal amps==>Morel 3-way speakers, very nice resolution, dynamics and balance.

on the other hand, my portable system with ety 4rp is only used on airplanes, where the noise situation is even worse. 

 

i'm going to RMA the sony and get a refund (and use the ipod in the car for now).  i'll reconsider sony if they resolve the low line out problem in the future, but i want to return this while i'm still in the store's 30 day return window.

 

i had my hopes up about the sony but it fell short on two points, the low line out level, and the inability to play gapless flac while streaming from a NAS (which may be solved in jelly bean/android 4.1)

I just received a replacement from Amazon. There seems to be noise / static when there's no sound that I have not noticed in the previous one I got before RMAing.. Using Westone ES3X. I can hear it despite my tinnitus and I'm sure it's the player and not me because when i unplug it, I hear no static whatsoever. Anyone else able to hear static? Wondering if i should replace it again.

And overall playerpro sounds more digital than poweramp on the F806, havent tested the stock player yet cause the interface and color theme is horrid.

 

Hi AyeVeeN,

 

I have heard the noise (when there is no sound, after plugging in the earphone) on 2 different F80X, so I guess it is a common issue. The noise is not loud, actually quite small, but still noticeable and luckily I guess it doesn't affect the music playing.

 

Wish this helps. (BTW it is my first post on head-fi,it is the F80X draws my attention on the cool portable player world  )

 

Good to know. Might've just been my tinnitus masking it and I usually am just more anal about replacements. Welcome to Headi-Fi :)

 

Does anyone know the output impedance of the F806 and the Cowon J3 / sound quality vs stock Sony app + its enhancements / EQ / clearbass vs BBE and the other Cowon EQs / enhancements?

 

The stock Sony player does sound better than PowerAmp, especially the EQ section. Just overall sounds much more spacious / clearer / more detailed. Horrid UI and theme still though, IMO.

 

I'm thinking of the J3 because if I'm going to EQ, why not go for the one that many people praise (and that has better battery life, a microsd slot so I can put podcasts on one and music on another, and better enhancements)? That's if I can find one..

Edited by AyeVeeN - 10/14/12 at 11:11pm

 

Hello turokrocks, the 64GB Japanese limited version is so attempting to me... how did you get it? And with these 3 players, how do you think on the difference on sound quality? Are Z and F the same?

 

Thanks a lot!

PM Alex from this thread, unfortunately due my medical condition I will not be able to do a review until some time, and it looks even nicer in real, and its so small compared to the Z.
Edited by turokrocks - 10/15/12 at 2:19am