Is Sony nw-wm1a really bad?

[Lemondante]

I bought this DAP 4 months ago. I was happy with the sound, but in the past 4 months, I've been reading reviews about how it doesn't make the headphones perform well. I am now frustrated and feel that I have purchased the wrong DAP. Because I've never tried any other DAPs, I don't know if it's true or not that most of recent year's DAPs perform better than wm1a. What do you guys think? If I sell my wm1a, can I get a better DAP for the selling price?

 

[helljudgement]

I was happy with the sound

That's all that matter. I've been using mine for around 2 years and wouldn't trade it for any other dap in the price range.

I don't know if it's true or not that most of recent year's DAPs perform better than wm1a.

Only way to find out is to test it. I did and felt no need to change. Take all reviews with a pinch of salt and don't let it affect your judgement on what sounds good and what doesn't. I think DMPZ1 does sound better then my 1a but that doesn't make it my 1a any less enjoyable then before I heard the DMP.

 

[Devodonaldson]

The biggest issue with ALL Sony DAPs is lack of power to drive higher impedence headphones. 50ohms and below on high gain, the Sony DAPs are fine. The Sony house sound is organic yet detailed. I really enjoy Sony products. I own the zx507, their highest Android based model to date.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Have you changed your region yet? I found Japan region to fully better with the 1A. Originally my 1A was set at Japan Export Region? The next thing is the third party software? Don’t know if you tried but they make the 1A slightly more powerful. Also the 3 party software adds soundstage and detail. You can look at all the IEMs in my signature and the are perfect with 1A after the firmware improvements and region change.

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/son...are-non-android.943661/page-341#post-16499618

 

[SuperSaiyan007]

Use this Sony hi-res headphones.
WM1a works well with it
Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res Stereo Overhead Headphones Headphone (MDRZ7M2) Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G7LZNT...abc_710PJ5BTSCG3FYT6JSZD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Lemondante]

That's all that matter. I've been using mine for around 2 years and wouldn't trade it for any other dap in the price range.

Only way to find out is to test it. I did and felt no need to change. Take all reviews with a pinch of salt and don't let it affect your judgement on what sounds good and what doesn't. I think DMPZ1 does sound better then my 1a but that doesn't make it my 1a any less enjoyable then before I heard the DMP.

Good say. But the actual problem is that I have not listened to other DAPs thus I have no other reference comparison. Although I am now satisfied with the sound of the 1a, there is no guarantee that I will start to be dissatisfied with the sound of the 1a when I hear something better... So I can only pray that when I hear the other DAPs wm1a will still sound better than them.

 

[Lemondante]

The biggest issue with ALL Sony DAPs is lack of power to drive higher impedence headphones. 50ohms and below on high gain, the Sony DAPs are fine. The Sony house sound is organic yet detailed. I really enjoy Sony products. I own the zx507, their highest Android based model to date.

This is also what I have read most in the reviews. But actually, I use more IEMs. Most IEMs have very low impedance, so theoretically wm1a can drive. However, the problem is that many reviews say that if you use a more powerful DAP to drive, you can get more detail and clearer resolution in the IEMs. I care a lot about the detail and clarity of the music I play, so these two indicators are important to me, which is why I questioned the wm1a.

 

[Lemondante]

Have you changed your region yet? I found Japan region to fully better with the 1A. Originally my 1A was set at Japan Export Region? The next thing is the third party software? Don’t know if you tried but they make the 1A slightly more powerful. Also the 3 party software adds soundstage and detail. You can look at all the IEMs in my signature and the are perfect with 1A after the firmware improvements and region change.

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/son...are-non-android.943661/page-341#post-16499618

I have installed the third-party firmware of Mr. Walkman which I think the improvement in performance is obvious. But I have not tried to change the region. What is the impact on wm1a of changing to a Japan region? Will it provide higher power?

 

[Lemondante]

Use this Sony hi-res headphones.
WM1a works well with it
Sony MDR-Z7M2 Hi-Res Stereo Overhead Headphones Headphone (MDRZ7M2) Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G7LZNT...abc_710PJ5BTSCG3FYT6JSZD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you for your recommendation. I will find an opportunity to try out the z7m2 before deciding whether to buy it.

 

[Redcarmoose]

I have installed the third-party firmware of Mr. Walkman which I think the improvement in performance is obvious. But I have not tried to change the region. What is the impact on wm1a of changing to a Japan region? Will it provide higher power?

I don’t ever need more power? If you’ll look at my collection you’ll see it’s a wide assortment and all is well. The rockbox system of changing region adds the extra bass. Many players are actually different sounding all over the world. Mine was changed from Japan Tourist Edition to local Japan. The warmer tone goes a long way to improve the sound. I’m using it with Midnight FW.

Seriously can’t believe anyone wants more juice. I’m a loud listener and use the high gain settings at times. Obviously there are some full-size headphones that it may not work well with? The Z7MK2 will work fine. I have the MDR-Z1R and MDR-Z7 and it’s wonderful.

 

[Lemondante]

I don’t ever need more power? If you’ll look at my collection you’ll see it’s a wide assortment and all is well. The rockbox system of changing region adds the extra bass. Many players are actually different sounding all over the world. Mine was changed from Japan Tourist Edition to local Japan. The warmer tone goes a long way to improve the sound. I’m using it with Midnight FW.

Seriously can’t believe anyone wants more juice. I’m a loud listener and use the high gain settings at times. Obviously there are some full-size headphones that it may not work well with? The Z7MK2 will work fine. I have the MDR-Z1R and MDR-Z7 and it’s wonderful.

From my understanding, the power of DAP is not just shown in the volume of music but also in the resolution. Unless my knowledge wasn't correct. This is my concern, will wm1a cause a reduction in resolution due to its low power?

 

[Redcarmoose]

Basically power is damping factor. There is also headphone dampening.........which clears up the bass fog, adds bass texture and can seem to increase soundstage. Both aftermarket dampening and stock dampening come into play here. Dampening could be done to lower the reflections of sound waves and vibration. DAP or amplifier power does close to the same thing, where is doesn’t need to be louder, but the increase in damping force takes better control of the driver.....the movement of starting and stopping. It adds texture to the bass, increases soundstage and adds overall clarity. The biggest thing is it cleans up the “fog” in the lower midrange. It could be interpreted as resolving/resolution power.

What headphones are you using now?

 

[helljudgement]

Good say. But the actual problem is that I have not listened to other DAPs thus I have no other reference comparison. Although I am now satisfied with the sound of the 1a, there is no guarantee that I will start to be dissatisfied with the sound of the 1a when I hear something better... So I can only pray that when I hear the other DAPs wm1a will still sound better than them.

There's no real issue that I can see here. Why worry about something you have yet to hear? I can assure you the sony is great portable dap if that helps.

From my understanding, the power of DAP is not just shown in the volume of music but also in the resolution. Unless my knowledge wasn't correct. This is my concern, will wm1a cause a reduction in resolution due to its low power?

Power is only relevant for very inefficient iems and headphone usage. I've used mine with z1r and utopia and it sounds fine as it is. You wouldn't be using any dap with inefficient planars. For most iem usage this is a none issue. What are you using now?

 

[Lemondante]

Basically power is damping factor. There is also headphone dampening.........which clears up the bass fog, adds bass texture and can seem to increase soundstage. Dampening could be done to lower the reflections of sound waves and vibration. DAP or amplifier power does close to the same thing, where is doesn’t need to be louder, but the increase in damping force takes better control of the driver.....the movement of starting and stopping. It adds texture to the bass, increases soundstage and adds overall clarity. The biggest thing is it cleans up the “fog” in the lower midrange. It could be interpreted as resolving/resolution power.

What headphones are you using now?

I am using the sennheiser ie800s. Not a headphone though. Thank you for the explanation, it is super informative.

 

[Lemondante]

There's no real issue that I can see here. Why worry about something you have yet to hear? I can assure you the sony is great portable dap if that helps.


Power is only relevant for very inefficient iems and headphone usage. I've used mine with z1r and utopia and it sounds fine as it is. You wouldn't be using any dap with inefficient planars. For most iem usage this is a none issue. What are you using now?

I am using the sennheiser ie800s.