1. Sony WM1Z K-mod Ultimate
2. Sony WM1Z
3. Sony WM1A NPAudio mod
4. AK SP3000
5. Hiby RS6
6. Sony WM1A
7. Shanling M9
8. P6 Pro
9. iBasso DX300 MAX
10. Shanling M8
11. iBasso DX220 MAX
12. FiiO M15
You must only use IEMs. The WM1A just can’t compete with the DX220 Max at all with full size headphones IMO. I own a mod WM1A and it clearly beat the stock 1Z, of course, your mileage may varies.
You must only use IEMs. The WM1A just can’t compete with the DX220 Max at all with full size headphones IMO. I own a mod WM1A and it clearly beat the stock 1Z, of course, your mileage may varies.
.... and - I mentioned that in my last ranking: My rating is always 90% about musicality (easy flow of music, foot tapping etc). Everybody has his very personal priorities when it comes to technicalities vs. musicality.
1. Sony WM1Z K-mod Ultimate
2. Sony WM1Z
3. Sony WM1A NPAudio mod
4. AK SP3000
5. Hiby RS6
6. Sony WM1A
7. Shanling M9
8. P6 Pro
9. iBasso DX300 MAX
10. Shanling M8
11. iBasso DX220 MAX
12. FiiO M15
Yes, this is the older Cayin N8, it still sounds the best to me, even though I've had endless software problems with it. You had to get the right SD card, and it would crash unexpectedly. And there are certain parts of the DAP I just can not get access to, but stick to the normal stuff, and it sounds great. The Sony sounds great, but it has no power.
Yes, this is the older Cayin N8, it still sounds the best to me, even though I've had endless software problems with it. You had to get the right SD card, and it would crash unexpectedly. And there are certain parts of the DAP I just can not get access to, but stick to the normal stuff, and it sounds great. The Sony sounds great, but it has no power.
Based on subjective impressions of how they made me feel about the music and not necessarily technicalities nor user interface
1) Hifiman R2R2000 Black (usually use with IEMs,)
2) Lotoo Paw Gold
3) Lotoo Paw Gold Touch (generally good with all my headphones and IEMs, though a little dry/boring with the Aeons)
4) Luxury & Precision LP6Ti (only use with headphones - good with Utopias, Auteur & MHP1000)
5) Cayin N8 (solid state balanced with Utopia, tube for NT-6)
6) Sony WM1A
7) Fiio M15 (good synergy with Aeons, with Cascades bass becomes a bit overpowering for my liking)
8) Ibasso DX200
9) Astell & Kern SP1000M
10) Fiio M11Pro
11) Astell & Kern AK380
12) Hiby R3Pro (generally use for BT)
but recommendations for buying would be based on the whole package - I love the sound of the R2R but the firmware, software ,user interface, support makes it a harder recommendation to spend money on!
Probably need to update my list - their have been a few ins & outs! Also depends on budget - difficult to get R2R2K & LP6Ti now. LPGT is an excellent device, now dwarfed in size by most of its competition, plenty powerful enough for the Utopia - they are not a particularly hard to drive headphone.
Currently I find the AK SE300 and the FIIO M15S to pair well with the Utopia, though the M15S is more neutral than the SE300. I nejoy using both, for differing types of music, these are my 2 most used DAPS.
I have also been trying the Shanling H7 with smaller streaming DAPS - also a very good option. H7 has ample power for other headphones too.
Need to give the WM1ZM2 a listen too, never had either version of the 1Z. How is it with full size headphones? I know Sajid over at Amplify Audio loves his (& I got an SP2000T based on his love for that!) but tends to be with IEM's.
Need to give the WM1ZM2 a listen too, never had either version of the 1Z. How is it with full size headphones? I know Sajid over at Amplify Audio loves his (& I got an SP2000T based on his love for that!) but tends to be with IEM's.
Only downside of 1Z is limited power as compared to other DAPs. Perfect for IEM but not so great with demanding full sized headphone. I would avoid Sony if headphone is the primary use case except for efficient one.
Probably need to update my list - their have been a few ins & outs! Also depends on budget - difficult to get R2R2K & LP6Ti now. LPGT is an excellent device, now dwarfed in size by most of its competition, plenty powerful enough for the Utopia - they are not a particularly hard to drive headphone.
Currently I find the AK SE300 and the FIIO M15S to pair well with the Utopia, though the M15S is more neutral than the SE300. I nejoy using both, for differing types of music, these are my 2 most used DAPS.
I have also been trying the Shanling H7 with smaller streaming DAPS - also a very good option. H7 has ample power for other headphones too.
Only downside of 1Z is limited power as compared to other DAPs. Perfect for IEM but not so great with demanding full sized headphone. I would avoid Sony if headphone is the primary use case except for efficient one.
Honestly.. not sure why people are saying this. my wm1a sounded amazing with the dt990 pro 250 ohms, and that's out of the 3.5mm on 90volume.
I think the wm1a/z, especially hardware modded, can definitely pull off most most headphones unless they're seriously hard to drive or are planars, and usually those options are huge bulky open back.. in which case, might aswell get a desktop rig because you're not going outside with that on your head.
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