Probably heat. As FETs work they emit heat. Capacitors don't do that.

Only the RRP. In reality the price has dropped below the DMP-Z1, at least in Japan. They are very nice near field active speakers, but at that price point like a lot of Signature products makes them extremely niche.

For the benefit of others let's quickly sum up the pros/cons of each implementation: Class A: old but very well understood technology, as such any of the shortcomings of the design have some known way to correct for it. The major disadvantage is that it is highly inefficient (< 50%), so a lot...

When did Sony ever said Digital Amps are dead? They merely said that with their CURRENT implementation in the S-Master they are power limited, but they never ruled out that in the future that limitation can be overcomed. You do realise the DA hybrid model in the TA amps corrects for noise with...

I think rather they've finally realised that CES is not a place for audiophile marketing. CES is a tech trade show dominated by reporters who complains about 300 dollar wireless headphones being too expensive. That's not the type of show where you want to show off audiophile products. They do...

Your entire argument falls apart simply for the fact that the DMP-Z1 is made by the Walkman team, whereas the TA-ZH1ES is made by the home audio component team. The two teams are completely different with different people lead by different product owners with different goals, who out of respect...

Opposite for me - I haven't found any planars I like on the DMP except the Final Audio D8000 Pro, mostly because it doesn't sound like a planar. I just don't like the sound of planars and if looking for detail retravel the Focal Clear is fine with me or I'll go with a STAX. Still loving my DMP...

It would seem like you've fallen for marketing buzzwords. There are no amps that can amplify without any colouration - they don't exists in the real world as there's no perfect "gain wire" and you can't make one no matter how hard you try. There are only technology which minimizes the...

If he has anything constructive counter arguments to say then I welcome it. Instead what I find more interesting are people like Vamp898 and Nostoi going around implicating Sony users they've made the wrong choice and got ripped off because they simply don't know better (just realised I replied...

While the volume knob of the DMP-Z1 is based on the RK501 it is a fully customised part requested by Sony and is not available as an OEM part from Alps, in fact with the collaboration the people at Alps wanted to use the know-how gained from the customisation in their own parts. And no it's not...

https://www.hayaponlog.site/entry/2020/02/10/094328 This guy points out why with a series of deduction which makes a lot of sense - there's no Qualcomm nor Mediatek low powered small SoC which doesn't include a 4G modem.

Only because the EM5 has Android which makes it "smart", whereas the TA is just a DAC/amp combo without any of the smart features which makes it dumb. :beyersmile:

I'm sure someone will find a use for it - just not me. Also having thought it out some more, except for the gold knob the EM5 actually looks more like the Sony TA amp than the DMP-Z1. TA is also a desktop stationary AC powered DAC/amp combo, has all the headphone connections etc, just not the...

LOL. Seriously though as a DMP-Z1 owner I simply don't see how a Shanling EM5 would fit into my music life. As a DAC/amp with all the right headphone outputs, I can see it being used as something which connects to my PC, but then I have no use for the Android features at all as my PC is VASTLY...

The Shanling EM5 is a dedicated network streamer, while the DMP-Z1 is a dedicated standalone player. Somehow I don't see anyone would be interested in both products to be honest as they serve two extreme opposite ends of the usage scenario.

The Focal Clear is my go to can if I want a very fast attacking, more analytical with a touch of treble sparkle phone, it's a very good compliment to the Z1R as the Z1R is more warm and laid back.

If you swipe up from the bottom edge, you should be able to bring up the Android App Drawer where all the app shortcuts resides.

They actually don't make that much money. What people keep forgetting is Sony don't use off the shelf parts for their devices, their R&D cost is FAR higher than any other DAP makers which just buys AKM chips designed to be sold in lots of millions to dozens if not hundreds of OEM makers, which...

I think the battery is flat. Plugging it in the PC just gives it juice so it can start up because the USB ports are powered.

https://www.sony.co.jp/Products/justear/limited/XJE-MHEIR/ New Just Ear collaboration model with singer Eir Aoi.

It's relevant because you are claiming if the codec is the same then any difference a user experience can only be placebo - when this shows it isn't the case in AAC not just between Apple and Android but even amongst different Android device, which refutes your "codecs are all the same" claim...

The good news is that Sony's audio visual department is profitable - not loads of money, but profitable. The bad news is despite having a lot of money as a whole, priority for allocating cash to different departments is not equal (that's how Sony's Mobile department keeps getting money - because...

The difference is Sony rarely uses off the shelf parts but rather develops their own parts for their audio products. The new IEMs for example all uses in-house Sony developed drivers. This means new audio products from Sony takes more time to come to market, but on the other hand it really...

Nope. With Bluetooth you'd be powering on a Bluetooth transceiver to send out the radio waves, and the music has to be transcoded to the BT codec first which means more computing power being used.

Glad you found what you like, this is what matters the most instead of striving for "best specs". The IER-NW510N are active noise cancelling earphones which works with Walkmans that supports it. The extra pole in the plug is most likely for the microphone needed for ANC and when you touch it...