[Facta]

Indeed, no mods for A55 & ZX507.

Still, I don't think you can beat the WM1A with a modded A45. However, for the A45's price range, you can get incredible audio quality.

The DSEE Extreme feature of WH-1000XM4 can prove to be great when used in combination with DSEE HX AI of A55?

 

[Maxx134]

Still, I don't think you can beat the WM1A with a modded A45. However, for the A45's price range, you can get incredible audio quality

The price also makes it a good candidate for a hardware mod too.

with DSEE HX AI of A55?

Who says A55 has DSEE HX AI?
It only have DSEE HX.
Only the moded firmwares for the other units have AI.
A55 is not it.

 

[MrWalkman]

Who says A55 has DSEE HX AI?
It only have DSEE HX.
Only the moded firmwares for the other units have AI.
A55 is not it.

It has the same type of DSEE HX as the DMP-Z1, which is AI.

 

[vikibeats]

Edit: If you want to post this on other forums, it would be nice to provide a link to this post, and not
a direct Google Drive link or anything like that. Thanks!



Hello people,

There is a new (unofficial) firmware for the NW-A40Series. Please welcome...

NW-A40Series Reloaded and Reloaded+

This firmware mod is based on the firmware of the NW-ZX300, and it brings the following features:
- new, improved sound
- high gain setting
- Bluetooth Receiver function
- 10 band equalizer
- DSEE HX AI (from DMP-Z1) and other 4 selectable DSEE HX modes
- DC Phase Linearizer with 6 selectable modes
- Vinyl Processor with 4 selectable modes
- Visualizers: Spectrum Analyzer/Analog VU Meter/Digital Peak Meter
- hardware accelerated rendition of the UI

There are some removed features in exchange:
- FM Radio
- Noise cancelling
- Language study
- VPT Surround
- ClearAudio+

The Reloaded+ version brings a different sound than the normal version, and a slightly
improved battery life.

How to install the modified firmware

Spoiler

1. Connect the player to the computer using the USB cable, and enable
the Mass Storage mode.

2. Open the "Model Switcher" tool, and choose the first option.
The device will do an update, which should take around 1 minute.



3. After the device restarts, do a full factory reset.
(Settings > Device Settings > Reset/Format > Restore to Factory Configuration)

4. After the Reset is complete and the device restarted, install one of
the two firmware versions - "A40Series Reloaded" or "A40Series Reloaded+".

While in this "switched" state, you can freely switch between these two firmware versions.

How to get back to the stock firmware

Spoiler

1. Connect the player to the computer using the USB cable, and enable
the Mass Storage mode.

2. Open the "Model Switcher" tool, and choose the second option.
The device will do an update, which should take around 1 minute.



3. After the device restarts, do a full factory reset.
(Settings > Device Settings > Reset/Format > Restore to Factory Configuration).

4. After the reset is complete and the device restarted, install any version of the official Sony firmware.

Notes

Spoiler

Notes regarding the installation/model switching
- If (usually) Microsoft Defender detects the Model Switcher as having a virus, it does not
have a virus. Feel free to check the file with a more competent antivirus, or just don't try the mod I guess.

- You will not be able to just install the mod without switching the model first. Please
follow all the steps!

- Do not try to install an official firmware version without switching the model back first!

- A full factory reset will erase the "Hours played" counter (if you care about it),
and it will also erase anything in the internal memory. If you use a MicroSD card,
don't worry about it, as nothing from the MicroSD card gets deleted.

- Using the switcher itself will also reset the "Hours played" counter, but it will
not erase anything from the internal memory of from the MicroSD card.

- If you switched the destination of your player to J, doing a factory reset will make
it unable to change the language. To change the language, switch the destination
to another one, change the language as desired, and then you can change the
destination back to J. If you never heard of destinations, you have nothing to worry
about. (Rockbox destination tool)

- If you will still get any "Database issue" errors after doing the full factory reset,
just do another full factory reset. Once the error is gone, it will stay gone until you
will use the "A40Series Reloaded Switcher" tool again. The error is usually gone
after the first full factory reset.


Notes regarding the use of the mod
- Having "Direct Source" mode turned on while playing DSD files, will result in no sound
being played back.

Screenshots

Spoiler

LINK


I hope you'll enjoy this. Feel free to give it a try and leave your feedback.

I have my favorite Sony nw a-45, and custom firmware is what I dreamed of! Thank you very much!

 

[vikibeats]

Edit: If you want to post this on other forums, it would be nice to provide a link to this post, and not
a direct Google Drive link or anything like that. Thanks!



Hello people,

There is a new (unofficial) firmware for the NW-A40Series. Please welcome...

NW-A40Series Reloaded and Reloaded+

This firmware mod is based on the firmware of the NW-ZX300, and it brings the following features:
- new, improved sound
- high gain setting
- Bluetooth Receiver function
- 10 band equalizer
- DSEE HX AI (from DMP-Z1) and other 4 selectable DSEE HX modes
- DC Phase Linearizer with 6 selectable modes
- Vinyl Processor with 4 selectable modes
- Visualizers: Spectrum Analyzer/Analog VU Meter/Digital Peak Meter
- hardware accelerated rendition of the UI

There are some removed features in exchange:
- FM Radio
- Noise cancelling
- Language study
- VPT Surround
- ClearAudio+

The Reloaded+ version brings a different sound than the normal version, and a slightly
improved battery life.

How to install the modified firmware

Spoiler

1. Connect the player to the computer using the USB cable, and enable
the Mass Storage mode.

2. Open the "Model Switcher" tool, and choose the first option.
The device will do an update, which should take around 1 minute.



3. After the device restarts, do a full factory reset.
(Settings > Device Settings > Reset/Format > Restore to Factory Configuration)

4. After the Reset is complete and the device restarted, install one of
the two firmware versions - "A40Series Reloaded" or "A40Series Reloaded+".

While in this "switched" state, you can freely switch between these two firmware versions.

How to get back to the stock firmware

Spoiler

1. Connect the player to the computer using the USB cable, and enable
the Mass Storage mode.

2. Open the "Model Switcher" tool, and choose the second option.
The device will do an update, which should take around 1 minute.



3. After the device restarts, do a full factory reset.
(Settings > Device Settings > Reset/Format > Restore to Factory Configuration).

4. After the reset is complete and the device restarted, install any version of the official Sony firmware.

Notes

Spoiler

Notes regarding the installation/model switching
- If (usually) Microsoft Defender detects the Model Switcher as having a virus, it does not
have a virus. Feel free to check the file with a more competent antivirus, or just don't try the mod I guess.

- You will not be able to just install the mod without switching the model first. Please
follow all the steps!

- Do not try to install an official firmware version without switching the model back first!

- A full factory reset will erase the "Hours played" counter (if you care about it),
and it will also erase anything in the internal memory. If you use a MicroSD card,
don't worry about it, as nothing from the MicroSD card gets deleted.

- Using the switcher itself will also reset the "Hours played" counter, but it will
not erase anything from the internal memory of from the MicroSD card.

- If you switched the destination of your player to J, doing a factory reset will make
it unable to change the language. To change the language, switch the destination
to another one, change the language as desired, and then you can change the
destination back to J. If you never heard of destinations, you have nothing to worry
about. (Rockbox destination tool)

- If you will still get any "Database issue" errors after doing the full factory reset,
just do another full factory reset. Once the error is gone, it will stay gone until you
will use the "A40Series Reloaded Switcher" tool again. The error is usually gone
after the first full factory reset.


Notes regarding the use of the mod
- Having "Direct Source" mode turned on while playing DSD files, will result in no sound
being played back.

Screenshots

Spoiler

LINK


I hope you'll enjoy this. Feel free to give it a try and leave your feedback.

But which version would you recommend to install?
Reloaded or Reloaded+ ?


I liked the sound in Sony nw a45, and in general I like the proprietary sound from Sony, but trying something new is also interesting

 

[MrWalkman]

But which version would you recommend to install?
Reloaded or Reloaded+ ?


I liked the sound in Sony nw a45, and in general I like the proprietary sound from Sony, but trying something new is also interesting

Reloaded is more like a stock sound, the ZX300. Of course, the exact sound of ZX300 cannot be replicated on A45.

Reloaded+ is the different sound. I like this the most on my 1A (called WM1A/Z+).

Feel free to try them both, of course.

 

[vikibeats]

Reloaded is more like a stock sound, the ZX300. Of course, the exact sound of ZX300 cannot be replicated on A45.

Reloaded+ is the different sound. I like this the most on my 1A (called WM1A/Z+).

Feel free to try them both, of course.

Thank you!

 

[zxczxc2]

Thank you MrWalkman, never expected this, it's great news!

 

[bizkid]

Im currently on my Smartphone, once i get back to my PC i will add a link to the custom Firmware post in the first post.

Thanks alot!

 

[Ivan4you]

Where can i find the high gain settings in the reloaded+ version?I have the EU version.

 

[JackyWH]

Thank you @MrWalkman!! I've never expected the proprietary firmware have customized version, which is making the device software lifespan more longer! Although I have already bought A105, but I'm still missed the battery life on A45. Now I can have more fun on this modded version A45!

Keep up the good work!

 

[MrWalkman]

Where can i find the high gain settings in the reloaded+ version?I have the EU version.

EU region devices don't show the high gain option.

You can change the region by following this guide: https://thewalkmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/volume-cap-remove-from-EU-walkman.html?m=1

 

[AlexCBSN]

Been using this all week, seriously @MrWalkman whats up with that bass? The rumble brother, the rumble!

 

[Facta]

Been using this all week, seriously @MrWalkman whats up with that bass? The rumble brother, the rumble!

There ought to be a Hall of Fame for HeadFi Contributors that made a big difference to users' lives. À la Oscars for Technical Achievement.

 

[Maxx134]

I have the NW-A45 with " Reloaded+" on it, and will compare Monday to my wm1a with "WM1A/Z++" on that one.