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I'm really, really tempted to sell my Z... I just do not use it anymore
I really must try and arrange a mini meet with OK-Guy (assuming London based) to see if it is the EU volume cap issue that is putting me off, or - if it just that I'm not a fan of the device outright...
Talking of 'slaughtering' things, my portable setup (in my sig below) absolutely decimates the Z for sound quality
How do you find the Z with just iem's HP out and if you have how did you find the MDR-Z1000's with the Z Walkman HP out or when amped?
I find the my Z1070 a good combination with my JH16's and the low bass end is more controlled and defined compared to the X series walkman.
My concern was actually the pairing of my MDR-Z1000's with the Z1070, even though the Z drives them okay with some room left on the volume scale I found they were sounding as if it was not retrieving all the micro detail from each instrument as it should be and did not have a full bodied sound, almost anemic in the way it presented itself as if it was not been driven with real authority even though these MDR-Z1000's are an efficient 24 ohms.
Problem I have had up until now was I no longer have a desktop head amp to of verified my thoughts on this and sold my only porta amp (ibasso PB1) a while back so had been waiting in suspense to see if an amp would change things.
I have now had for the last two weeks a TTVJ Slim amp (non dac version) and thankfully this has been what my ears have been waiting for with the MDR-Z cans. Using this amp in conjunction has transformed the Z cans and has brought more fuller sound with it rendering detail more effectively without it ever struggling even with faster paced segments which the MDR-Z1000 can be accused of struggling at times has improved to a noticeable degree.
The TTVJ has brought a warmer side to the proceedings which is reminiscent more back towards the X series Walkman whilst retaining a good level of air and space around each instrument been played.
The Slim amp brings the mids to the fore, which is what I tend to not dislike (loved my old Shure SE530's for that reason) same for vocals which are more in my face now, more up front rather than slightly withdrawn but still not sure if an amp should really be the one deciding if it can bring colouration to the table or not, but have to say listening to the Z line out with the TTVJ slim my MDR-Z's are transformed like I have not heard them before.
Have to note the improved soundstage the Z had over the X Walkman has gone to another level also with the slim amp and precision and accuracy of channel steering now bring a chill to my spine when certain sounds pan left to right and back again with some songs.
So for me the Z line out with an amp goes to another level for sure and has definitely help me decide at long last my MDR-Z's are a keeper as they do improve vastly with a amp ( a portable one at that) so cannot wait to get a dedicated top end desktop amp in the future.
I have no qualms with the Z with my JH16's, which to me has refined on the X series in some areas such as more controlled bottom end, treble a bit more sparkle, clarity on top end which I think is down to a more powerful amp with the MXmaster with iem's, and a wider sound stage presence but it is the signature that has changed more than anything but still find my self turning to my X series quite a lot as I still enjoy the analog warmish but yet detailed non veiled/dark sound it produces despite hearing some of the improved refinements the Z has brought.
I personally like the sig of both the X & Z but with the Z not really be truly pocket friendly or physical hard buttons for on the move the Z is becoming a flashy home walkman to be used with an amp (with the MDR-Z's) and just wonder for that reason alone long term if I will keep the Z long as I have my X.
That won't happen until the Z replacement from Sony for me but if you can I would try a non EU cap before pulling the trigger and firing it out of the cannon.
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