[abitdeef]

Yes there is some Frankenstein software builds on the A300 units I wonder if the Toyo, engineers need some defective sample units to test??

You know it wouldn't surprise me if they already knew about it

 

[jolivhires]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and I am a newbie to the Audiophile world. My A306 (no. 1000992, black model: YY1301B1) that I ordered from Amazon Germany came today and I did the testing with the graph. I had a Cowon J3 and a Cowon M2 DAP before the purchase of the Sony A306.

I could not get the volume to -12db like shown in the guide. With maximum volume of 120 I could only get to -29db. Is it because of the volume cap or did I do something wrong? The mainboard Line-In was used for the test.

It would be nice if somebody could tell me if I did the testing correctly and if the unit is alright.
Unfortunately, I could not really listen to music on the device, yet. But will find time tomorrow after work.

Hope to be as lucky as you… ordered same Amazon.de arriving next Monday: still have to figure out correct testing as I don’t have any line in in my laptop- have a cheap Behringer which I tested and has a poor FR above 8k (!?!)-but should be enough to test below 250Hz. Last case will try REW on my Mac Mini as it has line in (still learning how to in MacOS ). Strange thing is that it was fulfilled from France looking to tracking info…

 

[psikey]

I know this has probably been mentioned but cant really find anything apart from sonys wording. what does the hi res streaming toggle in settings actually do?

Not relevent for Walkman Music app or UAPP app, but all other apps go through Android audio system, not bit-perfect, and default Android is 24/48Hz so for Tidal HD or other streaming HD audio its getting downsampled loosing resolution/audio data. Its no problem being at 24/48Hz in Spotify.

By selecting Hi mode the whole Android system then works at 32/192Hz so HD music is not downsampled but lower tracks such as 24/44, 24/48, 24/96 are padded up to 32/192 but you arn't loosing music file resolution.

Downside of 32/192 mode is more battery use vs 24/48 mode.

 

[gjc10212]

My unit is from Accessoryjack, volume level on device hits 120 max (uncapped, I believe).

I've tinkered with this for a while and still continue to scratch my head in order to get an image similar to others here (i.e not a chaotic, fluctuating mess...)

My results, weird (likely my testing). Audio source via the YouTube app on the device playing the 20-20000 hz sweep. DAC lights up green. Will try this again tomorrow.

 

[abitdeef]

My unit is from Accessoryjack, volume level on device hits 120 max (uncapped, I believe).

I've tinkered with this for a while and still continue to scratch my head in order to get an image similar to others here (i.e not a chaotic, fluctuating mess...)

My results, weird (likely my testing). Audio source via the YouTube app on the device playing the 20-20000 hz sweep. DAC lights up green. Will try this again tomorrow.

Hi, if you've got a line in and are using dac mode you don't need to do a sweep file. I don't even know how you could. But follow rlw6534's instructions on around pg 50. You've got to calibrate you're soundcard too. If you're doing a sweep it's just line in from the Walkman and RTA tab. There's instructions for that too. But I think the REW is more accurate. It puts a test tone through your walkman and analyzes it.

 

[cliffjnr]

Not relevent for Walkman Music app or UAPP app, but all other apps go through Android audio system, not bit-perfect, and default Android is 24/48Hz so for Tidal HD or other streaming HD audio its getting downsampled loosing resolution/audio data. Its no problem being at 24/48Hz in Spotify.

By selecting Hi mode the whole Android system then works at 32/192Hz so HD music is not downsampled but lower tracks such as 24/44, 24/48, 24/96 are padded up to 32/192 but you arn't loosing music file resolution.

Downside of 32/192 mode is more battery use vs 24/48 mode.

thank you. so if i play tidal thru uapp then its bit perfect if i select it, and as loud as the walkman app?

 

[cliffjnr]

thank you. so if i play tidal thru uapp then its bit perfect if i select it, and as loud as the walkman app?

i just did a test, not really any difference. cheers

 

[jolivhires]

Not relevent for Walkman Music app or UAPP app, but all other apps go through Android audio system, not bit-perfect, and default Android is 24/48Hz so for Tidal HD or other streaming HD audio its getting downsampled loosing resolution/audio data. Its no problem being at 24/48Hz in Spotify.

By selecting Hi mode the whole Android system then works at 32/192Hz so HD music is not downsampled but lower tracks such as 24/44, 24/48, 24/96 are padded up to 32/192 but you arn't loosing music file resolution.

Downside of 32/192 mode is more battery use vs 24/48 mode.

Hummm… “By selecting Hi mode the whole Android system works at 32/192…” this also affects Tidal ? If yes, then better to keep it off while listening to Tidal-I saw some MQA tracks that once unfolded play at 352.8. Will test with Audirvana and see what it shows

 

[cliffjnr]

Hummm… “By selecting Hi mode the whole Android system works at 32/192…” this also affects Tidal ? If yes, then better to keep it off while listening to Tidal-I saw some MQA tracks that once unfolded play at 352.8. Will test with Audirvana and see what it shows

for me i use tidal family which gives hifi files which I believe are flac 16 bit, so no need for me to turn it on anyway

 

[abitdeef]

I listend to Amazon HD the last 2 nights and it does sound a bit better with HD streaming on. And honestly I'm not noticing a drop in battery performance with it on. Been really pleased with the battery life since I'm using the EQ, HR streaming is on and my volume is past 100. And it's still way better than a105.

 

[ductue89]

Hi, I just did the REW test, does my unit has the bass problem?

 

[rlw6534]

Hi, I just did the REW test, does my unit has the bass problem?

I'm afraid so. Maybe Sony can fix soon.

 

[unkindness]

Just to keep it updated:

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
2000246: a306 | YY1301B1 | Blue | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | Masterteamhk : 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
2001129: a306 | YY1301B1 | Blue | Japan | Bic Camera | REW Graphed : no issue
3003915: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | Amazon.jp | REW Graphed : issue

--

Unrelated but for people interested in the official case for the a306/307, I got it from AliExpress for 44AUD/29USD (currently unavailable), and from what I can tell, if it is not the original it is very close to it. Checking some reviews from the original Sony store on Ebay jp I can see a lot of people complaining about it not being the best quality product Sony could offer for the original price, so I'm more than happy to have only spent half of the price of the original.

 

[starter15]

Just to keep it updated:

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
2000246: a306 | YY1301B1 | Blue | Japan | eBay | REW Graphed : issue
20037XX: a306 | ? | Blue | Japan | ? | REW Graphed: no issue
3000045: a306 | HK | DMA Store | issue
3000108: a306 | YY1301B1 | Gray | Japan | Masterteamhk : 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
2001129: a306 | YY1301B1 | Blue | Japan | Bic Camera | REW Graphed : no issue

--

Unrelated but for people interested in the official case for the a306/307, I got it from AliExpress for 44AUD/29USD (currently unavailable), and from what I can tell, if it is not the original it is very close to it. Checking some reviews from the original Sony store on Ebay jp I can see a lot of people complaining about it not being the best quality product Sony could offer for the original price, so I'm more than happy to have only spent half of the price of the original.

I have the original as well as the version from AliExpress and I cannot tell any differences between the two. Packaging and item are identical to official one.

 

[gandesh]

For Sony Walkman devices(I have NWA306) does using a non-stock music player(I use Blackplayer) reduce music playback quality?

Also I do not have a PC with a line in. Only have a laptop with a standard 3.5mm jack. How can I test for bass drop? I compared its sound to Hidizs Ap-80ProX DAP i have and it sounds fine.