[ming387]

Dear DMP-Z1 owners, is this like heaven & earth compared to the WM1A or TA-ZH1ES?

Does the 4/5x price difference justifies? Is it really that much better?

 

[Whitigir]

Dear DMP-Z1 owners, is this like heaven & earth compared to the WM1A or TA-ZH1ES?

Does the 4/5x price difference justifies? Is it really that much better?

Well, first thing you would hear from DMP vs anything like Walkman would be the Dynamic, then the inner resolutions and then the textures and then the warmth. They have different signature as TA and Walkman are using S-Master and DMP is using AKM.

Is it worth 4x ? Well, it depends on the way you perceive it values then. You should give it a listen, comparison, and tell it for yourself. I have friends who love modified 1Z for portable and loving Z1 for desktop and around the house.

I would say that though, the Z1 is primarily for price is not an objective matters to the buyer, but rather it is the performances and the features

 

[Rob49]

Is the DMP-Z1 even being produced now ?? Not been available on Amazon U.K. for months now...

 

[slumberman]

Is the DMP-Z1 even being produced now ?? Not been available on Amazon U.K. for months now...

Yes, it’s being produced and it’s available for sale in Sony boutiques.

 

[Gamerlingual]

Dear DMP-Z1 owners, is this like heaven & earth compared to the WM1A or TA-ZH1ES?

Does the 4/5x price difference justifies? Is it really that much better?

I did a very comprehensive comparison of the DMP-Z1 vs the WM1Z with the TA and the answer is no. Far from it. You’re much better off listening to the TA in your space and the convenience of the pocket 1Z can be taken anywhere. It’s barely a difference if any at all. I tested the DMP-Z1 for at least 10 hours and it’s not worth it. Save yourself the money and go for the 1Z and TA. You’ll have lots of money left over for high res music. The DMP-Z1 is awesome, but $8k awesome? Nah. Else find a used one for $5k or less and yes, I can recommend it. Keep in mind the maintenance costs if the batteries ever need to get replaced and all the other expensive components inside the DMP-Z1. Gotta think long term for both. Whatever you decide, best wishes. Being here in Japan, the shops in Tokyo offer so many chances to sample players, I consider myself lucky.

 

[AngloApulian]

Yes, it’s being produced and it’s available for sale in Sony boutiques.

Here in the UK as has been stated, Amazon haven’t had any stock since some time in September I believe. The Sony boutiques, called Sony Centres here in the UK haven’t had any in stock for a similar amount of time.

Other European Amazon stores such as Amazon.de, Amazon.at, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es & Amazon.it all currently have none in stock with exception of one being sold as used from Amazon Warehouse.

It would definitely appear that at least for the UK and the rest of the European market, there seem to be possible supply chain issues for Sony at the moment.

I’m not sure if the reason for this is COVID related, but at present it seems very difficult to acquire a new Sony DMP-Z1 in this part of the world.

 

[slumberman]

I did a very comprehensive comparison of the DMP-Z1 vs the WM1Z with the TA and the answer is no. Far from it. You’re much better off listening to the TA in your space and the convenience of the pocket 1Z can be taken anywhere. It’s barely a difference if any at all. I tested the DMP-Z1 for at least 10 hours and it’s not worth it. Save yourself the money and go for the 1Z and TA. You’ll have lots of money left over for high res music. The DMP-Z1 is awesome, but $8k awesome? Nah. Else find a used one for $5k or less and yes, I can recommend it. Keep in mind the maintenance costs if the batteries ever need to get replaced and all the other expensive components inside the DMP-Z1. Gotta think long term for both. Whatever you decide, best wishes. Being here in Japan, the shops in Tokyo offer so many chances to sample players, I consider myself lucky.

your opinion, of course.
I own the 1Z , 1A ,and owned the TA. I purchased the DMP and to me there is a noticeable difference which is worth the investment.

 

[Gamerlingual]

your opinion, of course.
I own the 1Z , 1A ,and owned the TA. I purchased the DMP and to me there is a noticeable difference which is worth the investment.

Right back at ya. Cheers

 

[Damz87]

It’s barely a difference if any at all.

Sorry but I completely disagree with this particular statement. I own the DMP, TA & WM1Z and they most certainly sound different to each other, to my ears at least. The DMP uses AKM DAC’s compared to S-Master in TA & WM1Z. As @Whitigir said, they have different sound signatures. Perhaps this is harder to perceive with in-store demos, as they generally aren’t ideal listening environments.

Whether that “sound improvement” is worth 4-5 times the cost of a TA, well that is up to the individual and it’s very hard to give a definitive answer because it all depends on each persons budget/other gear/use case but for me personally, I have zero regrets of my purchase and get immense audio pleasure from my DMP-Z1. In fact, I’m listening to it at this very moment and it’s incredible!

 

[akãjerovia]

Sorry but I completely disagree with this particular statement. I own the DMP, TA & WM1Z and they most certainly sound different to each other, to my ears at least. The DMP uses AKM DAC’s compared to S-Master in TA & WM1Z. As @Whitigir said, they have different sound signatures. Perhaps this is harder to perceive with in-store demos, as they generally aren’t ideal listening environments.

Whether that “sound improvement” is worth 4-5 times the cost of a TA, well that is up to the individual and it’s very hard to give a definitive answer because it all depends on each persons budget/other gear/use case but for me personally, I have zero regrets of my purchase and get immense audio pleasure from my DMP-Z1. In fact, I’m listening to it at this very moment and it’s incredible!

Which one pairs better with the MDR Z1R in your opinion?

 

[Damz87]

Which one pairs better with the MDR Z1R in your opinion?

Definitely the DMP. I prefer the slightly cooler and more energetic tone from DMP compared to the warmer, overly smooth sound from TA. The staging and instrument layering on DMP is also a step up from TA to my ears. It could be due to the blacker background? Not sure. Either way, the Z1R just sounds incredibly expansive, dynamic and balanced from the DMP imho

 

[Rob49]

Sorry but I completely disagree with this particular statement. I own the DMP, TA & WM1Z and they most certainly sound different to each other, to my ears at least. The DMP uses AKM DAC’s compared to S-Master in TA & WM1Z

Not sure if i will ever own a DMP-Z1 now ?? - but i'm wondering if a FiiO M15 player may be a cheaper option ?? It uses AKM DAC's ( AK4499EQ ) It seems that most reviews are positive, from what i've read ?

 

[Damz87]

Good question, I have no idea how the FiiO M15 sounds unfortunately. Hopefully someone here can chime in. The only FiiO product I’ve tried is the Q5s and that was pretty impressive for its price, especially with the THX amp

 

[akãjerovia]

Definitely the DMP. I prefer the slightly cooler and more energetic tone from DMP compared to the warmer, overly smooth sound from TA. The staging and instrument layering on DMP is also a step up from TA to my ears. It could be due to the blacker background? Not sure. Either way, the Z1R just sounds incredibly expansive, dynamic and balanced from the DMP imho

Thanks man, i wish i had three kidneys. So, the Z1R sounds veiled on the TA?

 

[cosplayerkyo]

I also own a TAZ and a WM1A and can easily say the DMP is on a different level.

The TAZ tends to be a more laid back warm sound with a huge soundstage.
The DMP sounds razor sharp, much better separation, this crazy holographic imaging thing going on, all without being fatiguing somehow.