I use the optical input (from a Sony CD player) with the pre out (fixed) and there are no clicks between the tracks. Only when I turn on/off the CD player does the TA relay click. And ditto for when I use the USB-B input from a MacBook Pro: no relay clicks between the tracks. Could it be the...

Finally appearing on Sony’s Canadian website. https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1zm2 https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1am2

Many available on a popular online auction site. Most shipping from Japan, and some with sane shipping prices.

Sony offered this cable for pre-USB-C Walkmans: WMC-NWH10 (‘A’ in the diagram below ).

You bet. I also use the optical input from a CD player when I feel like playing physical media but I was delighted with the ease of use with the Mac and the USB input.

2. All my music is ripped in ALAC, Apple’s lossless equivalent to FLAC, and the TAZ plays it fine. If Apple Music streams lossless in ALAC then you’re good. According to an Apple support page this might be the case “In addition to AAC, the entire Apple Music catalog is now also encoded using...

I use the preamp out as much or more than headphone out. Very happy Sony included this functionality.

Not anymore it seems. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Electronics/Sony-to-close-audio-product-plant-in-Malaysia-by-2022

Agreed. It’s more for fun than anything. At my age (>50) very little chance I’m hearing any difference.

Ah, I see. I didn’t have any plans to but I starting using the unit as a preamp to take advantage of the DSD upscaling on CDs, etc. I just love the flexibility of this thing.

Yes, a very thorough review. I read it late last year. I find it interesting that they speak highly of the pre-out (into a stellar test system) even though it doesn’t seem to get much respect on this thread. I use the pre-out into a much more modest system and I am very happy with the fidelity.

I’m very happy with the sound. Detailed enough to immediately lay bare poor source material and really shines on nicely recorded albums like those on the Three Blind Mice label, etc. I think people here tend to like the Z7M2 better than the original, so it’ll be an easy win for you.

I use the mk1 Z7 with the (highly microphonic) Sony Kimber Kable 4.4mm on the ZX300. I like the combo.

Thanks! Really enjoying your ZX300 mod. All the best to you.

Mr Walkman, Do you have any plans for a A55 mod like you did for the ZX300? I don’t mean for the already included DSEE AI but other items in your magic kit.