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Originally Posted by DKaz /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I own both the Meizu M6 SL and the Sony NWZ-A818. The sound is pretty comparable. The Sony has a +1dB boost in the low and high frequencies which adds a touch more to the sound. Even though the sound very similar, I prefer the Sony.
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Hi Kaz, Although you own both players, I find it very difficult to believe that the Sony sounds better, based on the Sony having a +1dB boost in the low and high frequencies (which, as you say adds a touch more to the sound).
FWIW, I read your "reviews", of the two players though for now, my interest and focus is more on the Meizu. My 8Gb M6SL seems to have a few (slight) operational differences from what you've described. You're correct on the time it takes to update the library. Turn-off for me is practically instantaneous, and turn-on is about ten seconds. With "clean" well-recorded music, I'm hearing no low level hiss to speak of. Though at my age, my ears are certainly not what they once were. I do hear the tape hiss encoded onto all of the Mercury Living Presence CD's (purposefully done when these were digitised from analog). And FWIW, I'm mostly using UM2's and pod-modded iM716's for my listening. Also, your "review" notes many of Meizu's sound enhancement features, but from your description of some of them (or rather, lack-of description), I'm not convinced that you actually know how they work! Although you may. For example you say, "The spatializer is one the worst sound enhancements I have ever heard on a DAP." - you've written this as if it were an on/off switch, while in reality there are a few selectable choices within the Spatializer mode. Yes, it can be set to sound pretty horrible, but it can also be adjusted to nicely enhance the sound. Your discription of it is disingenious, and could lead those even less knowledgeable than you, to believe the wrong thing! You're well-meaning, but not a very good reviewer (at least yet). Though I do applaud your efforts.
Please permit me this statement - as I've been reading (more like living & breathing), TAS, Stereophile and numerous other reviews for more than twenty five years.
So... assuming you're using the sound effects adjustments for both players because if you're not it would be a waste of either players capabilities, and would completely invalidate your opinion of them (stated above).
But I'm ready to accept your opinion if you're willing to take a few minutes, and take-up this challenge (of sorts)
A little experiment if you will...
Listening to your own music of choice set-up the Sony, with its sound effects set to however you most like them. Get the best sound out of it you can - whatever best suits your ear.
Do the same with the Meizu, setting it's (user-defined) ten band EQ to however you like it best. Next, turn the Spatializer on. Set the Spatializer Mode to Normal. (the other two modes are of limited use - there's no need here to give my opinion of them). Set the Phase Corrected Equalizer to somewhere between 5 & 7 whatever suits you. Virtual Bass should be off.
Lastly, adjust the separate Bass Boost & Treble Boost to fine tune your music. This with the understanding that the frequency sliders aren't overused in your 10 band EQ settings.
That's it. YOU be the judge. I'm willing (at least for now), to accept your opinion that the Sony sounds better - if indeed it does.
Please post back your findings.
For the record. I'm "joe purist". No EQ or tone controls - though I've "toyed" with them. I listen to and enjoy digital but I'm all-tube analog. I've owned a very nice compliment of high end equipment over the years. I'm an experienced listener - though I make no claim to fame. I've just been at it a long time. Re: Portable audio at this level of equipment, I think it's a mistake to not use tone controls if they're available. It's a blast and I'm having a lot of fun with it. I think that's the point of it all.
