All 3 are very good options at each their price point and each is progressively better than the lower level but the WalkmanOne modded fw has certainly done a lot to reduce the gaps. The ZX300 must be the sweet spot as you get the 4.4 in a more compact unit but the 1A will always be the best of...

That’s the main reason my JH13 had to go back but that was after near 8 years but that is the main problem with the 2 pin female connector if cables get changed fairly regularily. JH just put new sockets in and replaced the sound tubes at the same time for about $100 plus shipping as I recall

Hiby has confirmed that folder browsing can access unlimited number of tracks but the tag based library can only handle 50.000 tracks

That brings back memories. My first dedicated headphone rig was the Earmax AE with AudioTechnica L3000 about 15 years ago. Source was Jungson CD2 with Nordost Valhalla cables

That's 2 1TB cards ready, one with all my hires tracks and another one with all my red book tracks, all in all about 60.000 tracks and 1,8TB. Now the waiting begins and since I'm away on Holliday from 23rd August until 25th September it'll be a long wait

Nothing has been announced or even rumored but I would expect it to be several years down the line

Yes the WalkmanOne fw deffinately lifts the performance of the A55

They use their own S-Master which is a fully integrated dac and class D amp

I’ll be coming from Sony S-Master on A55, ZX300 and 1Z so wonder how big the difference will be here

It’s probably a combination. The Sony A45 could only handle about 35.000 tracks while the A55, ZX300 and 1Z can handle my full library of over 60.000 tracks yet are essentially using the same OS

Yes it is double amping but the S-Master provides a very clean signal so it’s not really a problem. Just max the A55 volume and then do the final volume adjustment on the car stereo or other amp you connect to

No it only counts hours playing local files and only through the headphones out

Having not used my XM4 for over a month as I’ve not been travelling they sure feel huge in the ear compared to the LinkBuds

Anc is constantly evolving so it may happen one day. The problem is to strike a balance where you don’t end up removing parts of the actual music signal in order to remove external noise

SonyOS is also Unix and can handle at least 90.000 tracks

I’ve never encountered that connector anywhere other than on the Sony cable so I doubt you’ll be able to easily if at all find a loose connector/plug

It can’t be receiver and transmitter at the same time, either or

Hiby has just answered my e-mail. The library will be build into one library for both slots but there is a track limit of 50.000 tracks in the library however all tracks are accessable via folder view

Later is fine with me as I go on Holliday 23rd August and don’t return home until Sunday 25th September

Looks almost ideal spec wise (would have liked longer battery time), might be time to try a r2r dap. Preordered

I’ve had the JH13 since they were originally introduced 11-12 years ago and they are still great. Had to send them back 3 years ago to have the sockets and the sound tubes replaced but otherwise they have worked flawlessly all those years, the longest lasting piece of all my head-fi gear

I’ve got a pocket rig as well in a Dignis case, Sony A55 and JH13 ciem

My problem with the Sony stock tips is that they are too small for my ear canals

I actually prefer the Lite but obviously then cann’t use my Lightning and usb-c tips from the old system

I would probably go with the new smaller Linkbuds S for this use though the XM4 will giver more bass impact if that is important