[akso]

I am still hopeful after I found the following. It says you can continue increasing it. Will be like a warning.

https://helpguide.sony.net/dmp/1301/v1/en/contents/TP1000729472.html

 

[Bigbeat]

It regards the voluntary part (i.e. AVLS) that is user-deactivateable.
The main feature that makes the non-capped, non-EU model distinguishable from the capped EU model is the presence of high gain. The capped EU model has NO high gain.
If you want to have the more juicy model or not to be bothered by this warning message and automatic decrease of loudness volume, you have to buy the non-EU model.

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

For those who purchased the A306, be sure to check out this guide, although there is likely to be some differences in the apps listed, use it as a reference point to optimise your A306.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-wm1am2-and-wm1zm2-android-walkman-optimization-guide.962975/

 

[gabrielt]

It regards the voluntary part (i.e. AVLS) that is user-deactivateable.
The main feature that makes the non-capped, non-EU model distinguishable from the capped EU model is the presence of high gain. The capped EU model has NO high gain.
If you want to have the more juicy model or not to be bothered by this warning message and automatic decrease of loudness volume, you have to buy the non-EU model.

I've just received the US version, bought from sony.com, and it doesn't have an option for high gain... perhaps it is available only for models with the balanced output?

Oh, and the alarm and warning, which were supposed to be only on EU versions, also appeared when cranking up the volume...

 

[InvisibleInk]

I've just received the US version, bought from sony.com, and it doesn't have an option for high gain... perhaps it is available only for models with the balanced output?

Oh, and the alarm and warning, which were supposed to be only on EU versions, also appeared when cracking up the volume...

Yikes. Sounds like the USA has joined the European Union and nobody told us.

 

[rlw6534]

I've just received the US version, bought from sony.com, and it doesn't have an option for high gain... perhaps it is available only for models with the balanced output?

Oh, and the alarm and warning, which were supposed to be only on EU versions, also appeared when cranking up the volume...

The A105 never had a high gain option, just the ZX507. Mine are the JDM model for A105 and US model for the ZX507.

 

[drgnfly]

Wait what? Since when SG and US joined EU in having this?

I am still hopeful after I found the following. It says you can continue increasing it. Will be like a warning.

https://helpguide.sony.net/dmp/1301/v1/en/contents/TP1000729472.html

 

[akso]

I've just received the US version, bought from sony.com, and it doesn't have an option for high gain... perhaps it is available only for models with the balanced output?

Oh, and the alarm and warning, which were supposed to be only on EU versions, also appeared when cranking up the volume...

Can you disable the alarm/warning by any chance?

 

[psikey]

Can you disable the alarm/warning by any chance?

No, always import Sony DAP's from Japan to be safe.

I'm in UK and had to get A105, ZX507 & WM1AM2 from Japan.

 

[psikey]

Having already got a WM1AM2 and seeing as ZX707 not much smaller/lighter, I've decided to go for a small silver NW-A307 64GB with case from Amazon.co.jp via buyee. Really liked the A105 apart from battery life so should be happy with this and UK price for an A306 32GB without case is £349 anyway.

£405.34 via PayPal inc buyee fees + ~ £20 shipping and then if unlucky, UK VAT/import fees.

I can't really hear much difference between 4.4mm balance & 3.5mm SE anyway (if any) and the A307 seems to have same audio path components as ZX707 anyway except no balance, and 36hrs max vs 24hrs max.

The uncapped Japanese A105 I had of 3.5mm was plenty loud enough for my IEM's anyway (not UK/EU crippled version), and not needed to use High gain on my WM1AM2.

UK version A300 shows

Maximum headphone practical output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)	0.4mW-1.1mW (32ohm)

vs A300 Japanese

Maximum headphone practical output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)	35mW＋35mW

Not sure what effect bracketed (32Ohm) on UK spec sheet means or why shown as a range ?

 

[JTTT]

Having already got a WM1AM2 and seeing as ZX707 not much smaller/lighter, I've decided to go for a small silver NW-A307 64GB with case from Amazon.co.jp via buyee. Really liked the A105 apart from battery life so should be happy with this and UK price for an A306 32GB without case is £349 anyway.

£405.34 via PayPal inc buyee fees + ~ £20 shipping and then if unlucky, UK VAT/import fees.

I can't really hear much difference between 4.4mm balance & 3.5mm SE anyway (if any) and the A307 seems to have same audio path components as ZX707 anyway except no balance, and 36hrs max vs 24hrs max.

The uncapped Japanese A105 I had of 3.5mm was plenty loud enough for my IEM's anyway (not UK/EU crippled version), and not needed to use High gain on my WM1AM2.

UK version A300 shows

Maximum headphone practical output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)	0.4mW-1.1mW (32ohm)

vs A300 Japanese

Maximum headphone practical output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)	35mW＋35mW

Not sure what effect bracketed (32Ohm) on UK spec sheet means or why shown as a range ?

Indeed. Not sure if we can directly compare the numbers, 1.1mW against 35mW, are they measured under the same condition?

 

[psikey]

Indeed. Not sure if we can directly compare the numbers, 1.1mW against 35mW, are they measured under the same condition?

Well I had a UK (returned) and a Japanese A105 and it was near double the output power to my ears, not 35x !!!

'A' series never had High-gain anyway.

Spec on crippled ones seems weird.

 

[gabrielt]

Can you disable the alarm/warning by any chance?

I can disable the alarm and then turn up the volume, however it will pop-up from time to time.

Having already got a WM1AM2 and seeing as ZX707 not much smaller/lighter, I've decided to go for a small silver NW-A307 64GB with case from Amazon.co.jp via buyee. Really liked the A105 apart from battery life so should be happy with this and UK price for an A306 32GB without case is £349 anyway.

£405.34 via PayPal inc buyee fees + ~ £20 shipping and then if unlucky, UK VAT/import fees.

I can't really hear much difference between 4.4mm balance & 3.5mm SE anyway (if any) and the A307 seems to have same audio path components as ZX707 anyway except no balance, and 36hrs max vs 24hrs max.

The uncapped Japanese A105 I had of 3.5mm was plenty loud enough for my IEM's anyway (not UK/EU crippled version), and not needed to use High gain on my WM1AM2.

UK version A300 shows

Maximum headphone practical output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)	0.4mW-1.1mW (32ohm)

vs A300 Japanese

Maximum headphone practical output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)	35mW＋35mW

Not sure what effect bracketed (32Ohm) on UK spec sheet means or why shown as a range ?

The US version also has the same specs as the EU version. I need to adjust the volume to around 80-90 out of 120 to drive the Supermoon.

 

[psikey]

I can disable the alarm and then turn up the volume, however it will pop-up from time to time.


The US version also has the same specs as the EU version. I need to adjust the volume to around 80-90 out of 120 to drive the Supermoon.

Yep, which is why I always buy from Japan and now US gone same daft way as EU by the looks of it.

The A300 is the same amp power as the A100 series and I had both the UK (returned) and Japanese import and to me the uncapped player had nearly twice the power.

If I recall correctly, with my super easy to drive SE846's I had to have 85+ on UK one while 45 on Japanese one.

 

[rlw6534]

I just received my US spec A306 today. I can confirm that the volume level is about 20-25 steps softer than my A105. Normal listening for me on the A105 is around 60 with my XBA-N3. With the A306 I am around 80-85 for a similar volume level. Not scientific of course, just by ear.

Note that it really isn't a problem with my IEMs as the volume does go to 120 which is still too loud for me. But, I don't like the imposed limit.