SONY NW-WM1Z M2 / WM1A M2
Feb 9, 2022 at 1:04 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17,369

leylandi

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https://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1zm2/specifications

https://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1am2/specifications



Designed to immerse you in sublime, nuanced sound, the NW-WM1ZM2 has been fine-tuned from years of audio mastery and crafted from the very best materials. This new addition sets a new benchmark for Sony’s award-winning signature series, offering an exquisite listening experience in an ultra-premium design.

The NW-WM1AM2 allows you to completely lose yourself in high-quality audio with a richer, smoother and more expansive sound field compared to its predecessor.

Both music players let you download and stream from endless catalogues of music with Wi-Fi compatibility, taking your listening enjoyment to the next level.

Extraordinary sound begins with exceptional components

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2


Throughout the history of Sony’s premium range music players, audio mastery has been accomplished through a combination of meticulous assembly of exceptional components. The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 are products of this philosophy.

Purer materials for a purer sound

The NW-WM1ZM2 has a 99.99% purity (4N) Gold-plated Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) Chassis. This realises a stronger digital ground and higher rigidity, enabling clear, expansive sound, so you can experience each instrument as if it were performing live.

The NW-WM1AM2 uses an aluminium alloy frame which provides a highly rigid case that’s resistive to electrical noise and other interference creating a stable, high quality sound.

Revel in authentic sound reproduction

With the use of S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 bring you stunningly faithful sound reproduction. The full digital amplifier further creates a rich and full-bodied sound, with the help of a high-quality lead-free solder.

Taking inspiration from the ground-breaking DMP-Z1, both music players feature an even stronger power supply than their predecessor models, both in the analogue and digital block.

The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 have upgraded fine-tuned capacitors – various FT CAP3 capacitors (High polymer Capacitor) and a large solid high polymer capacitor which offers large capacitance and low resistance. While an OFC milled block covering the digital block, allows both music players to bring you sound that appears to rise-up from silence.

Perfect Signal Integrity

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

To achieve a powerful and smooth sound quality, Sony has selected a thick KIMBER KABLE® to run from the amp base to the balanced headphone jack on the NW-WM1ZM2, much like the renowned DMP-Z1. This carefully selected component helps transmit high quality audio signals, leaving just you and the music.

The NW-WM1AM2 uses a low-resistance OFC cable which offers low distortion and superior channel separation.

To realise both music player’s evolutionary sound, a dual clock and fine sound register have been precisely placed within each Walkman®. For the first time, Sony has begun using a reflow solder containing gold, whose effect is significant in the overall improved sound localisation and wider sound space.

Get the most out of your music, whatever the source

The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 both integrate a DSD Remastering Engine where PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2 MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital), giving you even more ways to enjoy your music.

With the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 you can also inject more life into your music by upscaling compressed music files in real time with DSEE Ultimate™. This evolving algorithm now offers even more benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless audio. By restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, the user can experience a more complete listening experience.

Hear every note as the artist intended

Both Walkman’s are also compatible with Balanced Connection and High-Resolution Audio, allowing you to experience your most loved tracks, just how the artist intended.

Music on the Move

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 are now Wi-Fi compatible and run Android 11, giving you access to a vast collection of genres and artists, from all around the world. You can choose to either listen from your favourite music streaming and download services or connect to a PC to download tracks and playlists from your own personal collections, ensuring high quality sound playback.

All new optimised usability

With a larger 5.0” (12.7cm) display, both music players introduce a new smooth and responsive touchscreen that has been upgraded to HD (High Definition), optimising the user experience. You can also personalise your home display on the Walkman Home Screen to suit your individual needs, making your Walkman truly your own.
To ensure you can immerse yourself in your music wherever you are, both premium models give you up to 40 hours of non-stop 96kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback.
A USB Type-C port features on both models, offering fast music file transfer and easy connectivity with a range of devices.
The NW-WM1ZM2 offers 256GB of integrated memory and a microSD card slot, while the NW-WM1AM2 offers 128GB of integrated memory and a microSD card slot, allowing you to take even the biggest music collections, wherever you go.

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2
Sustainability matters


Sony’s products are not only designed to be stylish, but also with the environment in mind. Zero plastic is used in the packaging material for the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2, reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the impact of our products and practices.

Pricing and Availability

The NW-WM1ZM2 will be available from April 2022 and priced at approximately €3700.

The NW-WM1AM2 will be available from April 2022 and priced at approximately €1400.

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2
Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2


Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2
 
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Feb 9, 2022 at 1:27 AM Post #5 of 17,369
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Feb 9, 2022 at 1:43 AM Post #6 of 17,369
Gold-plated oxygen-free copper chassis of the WM1ZM2 Walkman on a dark background

Purer materials for a purer sound​

Despite oxygen-free copper (OFC) being notoriously difficult to machine process, the WM1ZM2 features a gold-plated OFC chassis – just like its predecessor. This time though, OFC purity has been upgraded to 99.99% (four nines), offering even greater benefits in terms of audio quality and high rigidity. Bass notes are clear and powerful, the atmosphere is more expansive, and mid to high range sounds linger beautifully.

Close-up of circuit board showing the S-Master™ HX digital amp technology

Faithful sound reproduction​

S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, is compatible with the Native DSD format, and supports balanced and high power output. It reduces distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies, for rich and full-bodied sound, further enhanced by new high quality sound lead-free solder.

Circuit board showing the power supply

An even stronger power supply​

Taking inspiration from the DMP-Z1, our flagship digital music player, the WM1ZM2 features an even stronger power supply than its predecessor, both in the analog block and the digital block.

Close-up of circuit board with large solid high polymer capacitor

Large solid high polymer capacitor​

Adopted as battery assist for the amplifier block, the newly developed large solid high polymer capacitor offers large capacitance and low resistance. Able to instantaneously supply large amounts of power, it can accurately output signals by preventing sudden falls in voltage. This contributes to clear, powerful and accurate bass sound, as well as clear vocals.

Circuit board featuring FT CAP3 (High polymer capacitor)

FT CAP3 (High polymer capacitor)​

Custom-made for Sony and tuned by Sony engineers, FT CAP3 is adopted for all bypass capacitors in the audio block power supply. Drawing on know-how cultivated in high-end home audio development, it has helped to improve sound expression and create a smoother sound, with a wider sound space, more transparency, and tighter bass.

OFC milled block on a dark background

OFC milled block​

An OFC milled block covers the digital block, helping both to strengthen digital ground and improve noise shielding from digital block elements such as the application processor and memory devices. The result is a clearer sound that appears to rise up from silence.

Circuit board featuring high polymer capacitors

High polymer capacitors​

The high polymer capacitors within the WM1ZM2 are used to strengthen the power supply of the amp block for unbalanced output, enhancing low-range reproduction performance for a more expansive listening experience.

Circuit board featuring film capacitors

Film capacitors​

High quality film capacitors deliver voltage with a linear response across frequencies, resulting in reduced distortion and noise.

Circuit board featuring winding inductors

Winding inductors​

Replacing the conventional laminated capacitor, winding inductors in the digital block power supply contribute to a pure sound.

Cutaway of WM1ZM2 Walkman showing internal components, including thick KIMBER KABLE®

KIMBER KABLE®​

The wiring material from the amp base to the balanced headphone jack has been upgraded to thick KIMBER KABLE®, just like on the flagship DMP-Z1 music player. This helps to shut out external noise, transmit high quality audio signals, and achieve powerful and smooth sound quality.

Fine Sound Register on a white background

Fine Sound Register​

The surface mounted Fine Sound Register ensures even, effective distribution of power to the circuit components, for consistent sound quality.

Circuit board featuring crystal oscillators

Crystal oscillators​

Two compact low-phase-noise crystal oscillators ensure precision clock stability at sampling rate multiples of 44.1kHz and 48kHz. The crystal electrode piece is formed with gold vapour deposition for enhanced electric characteristics and improved instrumental separation. This helps remove a veil and reduce noise to realise clear, open sound reproduction.

Circuit board featuring reflow solder containing gold

Newly developed reflow solder containing gold​

This is the first time Sony has used reflow solder containing gold, and it features extensively across the circuit board surface – so the overall effect is significant, including improved sound localisation and a wider sound space.

A spool of high quality sound solder containing gold

High quality solder containing gold​

The exceptional conductivity of gold ensures absolute minimum signal loss. For clearer sound and vocals, a premium, audio-grade lead-free solder with a small amount of gold connects the circuit of the WM1ZM2 to the battery.

Image comparing normal via with filled via

Low dielectric circuit board and filled via​

The printed circuit board uses low dielectric material to realise accurate signal transmission, while the via holes are filled with copper to further reduce impedance. The result is a wide sound space with clear, bright sound. [A] Normal via Filled via

Optimised circuit board layout​

By dividing the Audio block and the Power/Digital block, the circuit board layout has been optimised to ensure sound quality is unaffected by digital interference.

Graphs showing how the DSD Remastering Engine affects PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio

DSD Remastering Engine​

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital) ultra-high-frequency 1-bit audio stream. The single-bit stream delivered to the DAC has a character far closer to that of analogue, giving you even more ways to enjoy your music.

Logo for DSEE Ultimate

DSEE Ultimate​

Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time. And the evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless codec audio. Restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, it provides a richer, more complete listening experience.

Icon for Vinyl Processor

Vinyl Processor​

Give the warmth and character of vinyl back to your digital tracks. Enjoy subtle reproduction of the low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resistance and surface noise to deliver an authentic listening experience.

Graph illustrating the effects of DC Phase Linearizer

DC Phase Linearizer​

Our DC Phase Linearizer works to effectively replicate a wide variety of sonic signatures. It applies digital-signal processing to match the phase characteristics of various types of analog amplifier to deliver a purer, more analog-like sound. Choose from six phase character settings.

Close-up of the balanced connection and the 3.5mm audio jack on the WM1ZM2 Walkman

Balanced connection​

The Walkman® features a balanced single plug, designed for the Ø4.4mm balanced connection cable. This separates left and right sound signals, while minimising signal transmission loss and resulting sound deterioration.

Logo for Hi-Res Audio

Every note as the artist intended​

Take your digital music collection to another level with High-Resolution Audio. By capturing and reproducing digital audio at a higher rate than CD (24-bit/96kHz and beyond), High-Resolution Audio allows you to get closer to the original studio recording.

Logo for DSD (Direct Stream Digital)

11.2 MHz DSD Native / PCM 384kHz1​

Supreme quality with 11.2MHz DSD native using balanced headphones and PCM 384KHz/32-bit support.

Logo for Hi-Res Audio wireless

Hi-Res Audio wireless​

Enjoy High-Resolution Audio quality without wires thanks to LDAC, our premium wireless codec. With 3x the bitrate of standard BLUETOOTH® technology, you can enjoy a superior listening experience for all your music.

Logo for MQA

MQA™​

The Walkman includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files.

Close-up of left hand side of WM1ZM2 Walkman on a dark background

Familiar features​

Key design elements include the twin headphone jacks on the top and the intuitive side key, both inherited from its predecessor.

Detail of the distinctive rear section of the WM1ZM2 Walkman

Distinctive rear section​

The OFC frame with machine carved aluminium rear contributes to the high-quality sound and creates a premium feel. In addition, the distinctive rear section – thicker and more pronounced than its predecessor – reflects the larger, superior quality audio parts that are housed within.

Front view of WM1ZM2 Walkman on a dark background, showing analog-style volume UI

Echoes of analog​

Every element of the WM1ZM2 is dedicated to the pure joy of music listening, right down to the volume UI, which recalls classic analog design.

Front view of WM1ZM2 Walkman showing Android™ UI

Wi-Fi lets you stream and download even more music​

Supported by Android™ and compatible with Wi-Fi, the WM1ZM2 gives you even more freedom to enjoy music. Listen to your favourite streaming and music apps on your Walkman or connect to a PC to download tracks and playlists from your music collection.

Front view of WM1ZM2 Walkman - display shows music playing interface

Large 5.0” display​

Smooth and responsive, the large 5.0” (12.7cm) touchscreen display has been enlarged from its predecessor’s 4.0” (10.2cm) display and upgraded to HD.

Icon for battery life

Long battery life​

Immerse yourself in your music with up to 40 hours of non-stop 96kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback.

Front view of WM1ZM2 showing Walkman Home Screen

Walkman® Home Screen​

With the Walkman® Home Screen, you can customise the home display to suit your needs.

Underside of WM1ZM2 Walkman showing USB Type-C® port

USB Type-C® port​

A USB Type-C® port, compatible with USB 3.2 Gen1, offers fast music file transfer and easy connectivity with a range of devices.2

Icon for SD card

Expandable storage​

With 256GB integrated memory and an SD card slot, the WM1ZM2 lets you take even the biggest music collections on the go.3

WM1ZM2 Walkman and MDR-Z1R headphones on a dark background
 
Feb 9, 2022 at 2:21 AM Post #8 of 17,369
I know that Android 11 allows this time a perfect Hires path to avoid any android up sampling or down sampling, but I am wondering why Sony didn't try to keep/upgrade their very good WM1A/Z OS with just adding some DLNA rendering feature and/or make LDAC BT receiver being compatible with an external USB-C DAC output (link toTA-ZH1ES).
I think our smartphones are already Android 12, and they can already be linked to any music streaming providers and feed any dlna renderer or BT receiver with even bitperfect/DSD256 Hires Files (DLNA) transfer.

I am not sure if I want to spend, €3700 for an Android 11 DAP, missing 512Gb or 1Gb memory for music files.
 
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Feb 9, 2022 at 2:35 AM Post #9 of 17,369
Sony didn't give us what I was hoping for, but I'm still excited to see these out in the wild and read some impressions. I don't stream music, so have no need/desire for Android; any desire on my part to upgrade from my WM1A was tied to increased output power (which we didn't get). I'll be looking at other DAPs now as I've been in a holding pattern til this release.

I'll forever remain a Sony fanboy, and I highly doubt I'll ever sell my WM1A. I just want something a little more capable, power output-wise for more difficult to drive transducers.
 
Feb 9, 2022 at 2:41 AM Post #10 of 17,369
Initial thoughts…

Which one is gold?
I‘ll buy the black if it’s the NW-WM1AM2.
Otherwise pricing is beyond ridiculous.
 
Feb 9, 2022 at 2:44 AM Post #11 of 17,369
Quite interesting Sony have gone back to a bevelled rear like the ZX1, I guess due to the increased size, it helps with holding it with one hand. Would have liked a silver case. I love dual tone contrasting colours, but not paying for the NW-W1ZM2 for that.

I have to say, we are quite fortunate that Sony are still making such things when most people are content with their phones! Well done Sony.
 
Feb 9, 2022 at 3:12 AM Post #13 of 17,369
Great looking overall.
Missing more power, hoped for 500mW at least.
Seemes alot bigger and not sure how this "golden" sharp edge on the back will hold up.. or use it only in case?

What are the differences between Gold and black this time?
Can it be connected to TA-ZH1ES?
 
Feb 9, 2022 at 3:16 AM Post #14 of 17,369
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