[UselessInf0]

Just want to say, You guys have been handling this like bosses.
First person giving feedback didn't drag this on forever with some "I know what I heard", and worked out a measurement to support his experience in a matter of days.
Then there was help on how to try using the USB DAC function in a loop with a computer and REW. I gave a really cheap low precision but easy method(thinking anything more involved would discourage everybody) for when the loop thing wasn't an option, and counting on the 10dB low shelf to still be visible. Look at all the people who looked into it, actually tried and shared their results. \o/
You have been more rational, hard working, and providing better diagnostic material in a few days with whatever was available to you than, I believe, anything I've seen in any other topic.
Even in threads dedicated to measurements with people who know what to do, it's hard to find more than a handful of motivated people to try a particular thing. I've watched this from the sidelines and you almost gave me hope for the hobby. (I have to end being a dick, otherwise this just looks like pandering ).


Anybody tried putting a sweep in the DAP and measure it from different audio apps or with different output methods to check that it's system wide EQ? No need for 10 people trying this one, just one would do and even then it's mostly to satisfy my sick curiosity and see if you guys have a possible EQ free solution until Sony wakes up.

I tested on two different computers both using Line In with precisely the same test results.

The very first time I did the sweep I forgot to turn DIRECT on and the graph is similar. If interested I can post that graph.

 

[rlw6534]

Just want to say, You guys have been handling this like bosses.
First person giving feedback didn't drag this on forever with some "I know what I heard", and worked out a measurement to support his experience in a matter of days.
Then there was help on how to try using the USB DAC function in a loop with a computer and REW. I gave a really cheap low precision but easy method(thinking anything more involved would discourage everybody) for when the loop thing wasn't an option, and counting on the 10dB low shelf to still be visible. Look at all the people who looked into it, actually tried and shared their results. \o/
You have been more rational, hard working, and providing better diagnostic material in a few days with whatever was available to you than, I believe, anything I've seen in any other topic.
Even in threads dedicated to measurements with people who know what to do, it's hard to find more than a handful of motivated people to try a particular thing. I've watched this from the sidelines and you almost gave me hope for the hobby. (I have to end being a dick, otherwise this just looks like pandering ).


Anybody tried putting a sweep in the DAP and measure it from different audio apps or with different output methods to check that it's system wide EQ? No need for 10 people trying this one, just one would do and even then it's mostly to satisfy my sick curiosity and see if you guys have a possible EQ free solution until Sony wakes up.

I don't mind measuring if you could be more specific on what you are suggesting. I did test my Hiby R5 as a control.

 

[emilsoft]

Anybody tried putting a sweep in the DAP and measure it from different audio apps or with different output methods to check that it's system wide EQ? No need for 10 people trying this one, just one would do and even then it's mostly to satisfy my sick curiosity and see if you guys have a possible EQ free solution until Sony wakes up.

That’s what crossed my mind, perhaps the Sony music app itself doesn’t have this problem, but then likely if usb dac is an issue it’ll be across the board problem. Alas I returned my player now to Sony so can’t do anymore tests

 

[kumar402]

Just want to say, You guys have been handling this like bosses.
First person giving feedback didn't drag this on forever with some "I know what I heard", and worked out a measurement to support his experience in a matter of days.
Then there was help on how to try using the USB DAC function in a loop with a computer and REW. I gave a really cheap low precision but easy method(thinking anything more involved would discourage everybody) for when the loop thing wasn't an option, and counting on the 10dB low shelf to still be visible. Look at all the people who looked into it, actually tried and shared their results. \o/
You have been more rational, hard working, and providing better diagnostic material in a few days with whatever was available to you than, I believe, anything I've seen in any other topic.
Even in threads dedicated to measurements with people who know what to do, it's hard to find more than a handful of motivated people to try a particular thing. I've watched this from the sidelines and you almost gave me hope for the hobby. (I have to end being a dick, otherwise this just looks like pandering ).


Anybody tried putting a sweep in the DAP and measure it from different audio apps or with different output methods to check that it's system wide EQ? No need for 10 people trying this one, just one would do and even then it's mostly to satisfy my sick curiosity and see if you guys have a possible EQ free solution until Sony wakes up.

not sure about A300 but in WM1Z, EQ works across all apps be it Walkman music app or Qobuz or Tidal.
I think it might be same for A300 as well.

 

[psikey]

Just want to say, You guys have been handling this like bosses.
First person giving feedback didn't drag this on forever with some "I know what I heard", and worked out a measurement to support his experience in a matter of days.
Then there was help on how to try using the USB DAC function in a loop with a computer and REW. I gave a really cheap low precision but easy method(thinking anything more involved would discourage everybody) for when the loop thing wasn't an option, and counting on the 10dB low shelf to still be visible. Look at all the people who looked into it, actually tried and shared their results. \o/
You have been more rational, hard working, and providing better diagnostic material in a few days with whatever was available to you than, I believe, anything I've seen in any other topic.
Even in threads dedicated to measurements with people who know what to do, it's hard to find more than a handful of motivated people to try a particular thing. I've watched this from the sidelines and you almost gave me hope for the hobby. (I have to end being a dick, otherwise this just looks like pandering ).


Anybody tried putting a sweep in the DAP and measure it from different audio apps or with different output methods to check that it's system wide EQ? No need for 10 people trying this one, just one would do and even then it's mostly to satisfy my sick curiosity and see if you guys have a possible EQ free solution until Sony wakes up.

as Head-fi "Sound Science Forum Moderator" do you have any contacts in Sony to raise this more directly ?

 

[dedero]

I could finally perform the tests and it seems mine is half ways but seems to have the same issue, but in this case the curve is quite different to the ones from the other tests.

My tests were using a behringer uca202 with the RCA input (detected as microphone, not as line in) running windows 11 and the A307 set as USB DAC in the walkmann app, the strange thing is even though I set to the maximum volume I couldn't get up to the -12 dB to match the sweep parameter, I could reach up to -15 dB, not sure why is that

Here the results:

So I would say mine also has the issue, the updated list is (mine is 1001704):

EDIT: set to no issue as it gets flat starting at 10hz

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: no issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

 

[psikey]

I could finally perform the tests and it seems mine is half ways but seems to have the same issue, but in this case the curve is quite different to the ones from the other tests.

My tests were using a behringer uca202 with the RCA input (detected as microphone, not as line in) running windows 11 and the A307 set as USB DAC in the walkmann app, the strange thing is even though I set to the maximum volume I couldn't get up to the -12 dB to match the sweep parameter, I could reach up to -15 dB, not sure why is that



Here the results:



So I would say mine also has the issue, the updated list is (mine is 1001704):

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

Your's would be classed as OK as human hearing is 20Hz-20KHz typically and yours is flat by 10. Update above as no issue for yours.

 

[castleofargh]

I tested on two different computers both using Line In with precisely the same test results.

The very first time I did the sweep I forgot to turn DIRECT on and the graph is similar. If interested I can post that graph.

No that's fine thank you, I doubt sighted impressions and professional reviewers, not your type of information.

I don't mind measuring if you could be more specific on what you are suggesting. I did test my Hiby R5 as a control.

Well, anything confirming system wide EQ. Sound from a browser, sound from the Sony player(when I say player I mean the app in the walkman, not the walkman itself ^_^), sound from some other audio app to try your luck. Sometimes some apps have a DSP turned on by default and people don't pay attention, and on rare occasion(all the crap by Dre on computers for example) have a dumb EQ active when it's allegedly turned off, just so that when turned ON you go "wow this really is better!".

If it's on how to get the sweep test file, Google, or the "generator" pop up in REW. You find the sweep tab, set whatever, save the .wav and put it in the DAP to play.
Or, I can't right now, but if there is some issue I can't think of, I can do this tonight(France night time) and upload the sweep that would work.

That’s what crossed my mind, perhaps the Sony music app itself doesn’t have this problem, but then likely if usb dac is an issue it’ll be across the board problem. Alas I returned my player now to Sony so can’t do anymore tests

That would also be my guess, but one can hope.

not sure about A300 but in WM1Z, EQ works across all apps be it Walkman music app or Qobuz or Tidal.
I think it might be same for A300 as well.

Same. that wouldn't be cool.

as Head-fi "Sound Science Forum Moderator" do you have any contacts in Sony to raise this more directly ?

Nah, I'm nobody, I'm the mall cop of the section, I don't even have a real gun. Some real admin though, one who goes to all the cool international events, might know a lot of things and people that I don't.

 

[castleofargh]

I could finally perform the tests and it seems mine is half ways but seems to have the same issue, but in this case the curve is quite different to the ones from the other tests.

My tests were using a behringer uca202 with the RCA input (detected as microphone, not as line in) running windows 11 and the A307 set as USB DAC in the walkmann app, the strange thing is even though I set to the maximum volume I couldn't get up to the -12 dB to match the sweep parameter, I could reach up to -15 dB, not sure why is that



Here the results:



So I would say mine also has the issue, the updated list is (mine is 1001704):

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

You're OK. The issues is a 10dB low shelf that's centered somewhere around 200Hz. What you have is a small roll off below 20Hz. It's nothing. Your DAP for all intent and purposes is flat.

 

[Mmet]

I could finally perform the tests and it seems mine is half ways but seems to have the same issue, but in this case the curve is quite different to the ones from the other tests.

My tests were using a behringer uca202 with the RCA input (detected as microphone, not as line in) running windows 11 and the A307 set as USB DAC in the walkmann app, the strange thing is even though I set to the maximum volume I couldn't get up to the -12 dB to match the sweep parameter, I could reach up to -15 dB, not sure why is that



Here the results:



So I would say mine also has the issue, the updated list is (mine is 1001704):

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

No , your walkman is fine .. it doesn't have the problem ... Cheers

 

[psikey]

Corrected from above

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: no issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

 

[abitdeef]

I could finally perform the tests and it seems mine is half ways but seems to have the same issue, but in this case the curve is quite different to the ones from the other tests.

My tests were using a behringer uca202 with the RCA input (detected as microphone, not as line in) running windows 11 and the A307 set as USB DAC in the walkmann app, the strange thing is even though I set to the maximum volume I couldn't get up to the -12 dB to match the sweep parameter, I could reach up to -15 dB, not sure why is that



Here the results:



So I would say mine also has the issue, the updated list is (mine is 1001704):

EDIT: set to no issue as it gets flat starting at 10hz

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: no issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

Looks good you're safe

 

[glward]

US Model right from the Sony store, seems to have the same issue: https://imgur.com/xS8G5Zy

1000443: a306 | US | Best buy : issue
1000613: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | US | sony.com | REW Graphed : issue
1001704: a307 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: no issue
10033xx: a306 | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : no issue
1003647: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1005860: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue
1006471: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
1100033: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | UAE | Sony Store | Graphed: issue
20002xx: ? | ? | ? : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: ? | ? | ? : issue
3000840: a307 | YY1301B2 | Grey | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : no issue
30039xx: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed: issue
5000078: a306 | YY1301B1 | Black | Singapore | REW Graphed : no issue

I've already generated my return label due to the volume limits (which apply even if you're connected to a USB DAC!). Hoping I get lucky with my Amazon.co.jp A307 -- should be here Monday

 

[dstaley]

For those wondering if only the DAC is affected, unfortunately that's not the case. I got the same results in the W app, the music player from the Files app, and Plexamp.

 

[abitdeef]

Can someone please tell me how to do a sweep with the youtube and microphone with REW? My old Dell won't recognize my a306 and it doesn't have a line in either. It's mic in? Or external mic out?
I can play the file on YouTube with my a306, just don't know how to record the sweep.