[ttt123]

I have the 1AM2 which I almost exclusively use only on my off days. The ZX507 is, to me, the sweet spot for sound quality, portability/pocketability and handiness/convenience, as well as aesthetics, in terms of daily use. ZX707 falls far behind the 507 for those considerations/purposes viewed as a whole.

Agree, the ZX507 is a nice size to carry around. I still have a ZX507 and a ZX300. Though I've become lazy, and when outside, use a WF-1000XM5 (TWS), with an iPhone. It works well vial BT connected to the A306 also, which is a nice compact solution.

 

[Valrhona]

Some details in this discussion from 2012
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-eu-volume-cap-mystery.600111/post-8211599

In short EU passed laws to protect people's hearing. This is a wrong use of law, impractical, and impossible, which I see as no different than passing a law on what/how much people can eat so they will not get obese. But regardless, a law it is.

But it is a mess, as mandating a specific decibel limit, without taking into consideration that different amps/headphones could need more or less power for the same decibel output. So manufacturers (large ones that have a lot of revenue that can be penalized) have implemented a cap, mostly with the goal to reduce the risk of large fines, and they err on the side of caution. The law itself is badly defined, as the DAP manufacturer has no way of knowing what headphone/earphone the user will use, so have no way to tell what the decibel output will be. So the implementation is often brute force, as the EU enforcement could be arbitrary, so companies choose not to take chances with the implementation. They will err on the side of too much, rather than not enough.

Another question people ask is why so many small DAP companies do not implement a volume cap. The general understanding is that they are too small (footprint/revenue) to be targeted by the EU for extra revenue, and they can always just pull out of the market at any time, if they have to. In addition, even the distribution network could be grey market, so they can say they are not officially releasing products into the EU.

People also ask why the manufacturer does not provide a way to defeat the volume cap, like with a setting, alternate Firmware, etc. The answer is obvious, of course. Any bypass provided by a manufacturer would absolutely be interpreted as breaking the law, and would leave the company open to punitive fines.

That this law is stupid, and badly/not thought out properly? Yes, it absolutely is. But anybody who tries to argue with the government will lose. First by spending a fortune on lawyers and courts, and then by forced product changes/recalls, and penalties.

That the EU passes many mandates, and regularly assesses large fines against corporates, should not be news to anybody. A quick search online will find many examples.

What a detailed response! Much appreciated.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

A306 plus XBA-N3... 90% of AM2 plus Z1R... and 25% of the price...

I wonder if most people in this thread would agree with this percentage about the difference between the a306 and the AM2. I know that sometimes, in this hobby, the quest is just to get that final 10%. But, I really want to know the sound of the Sony house. I have some DAPs and I've had others... but I've never had a Sony... Having a collection of IEMs... like listening to music and not having a Sony DAP? This cannot happen under my own laws.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

I have another question:
I'm in Europe.
My DAP use case will truly only be with my IEM collection.
I use desktop amp for my open back headphones. And in extreme cases, if I need to use a DAP with headphones, I can take advantage of the power of the DX300.

So, my simple question is:
Can I live with an AM2 with the gain limitation imposed by the EU if I am going to use only IEMs?
Is there a difference in dynamics or overall sound when using high gain on the AM2?
I don't know if it will be easy to get an Uncapped version.
I would have to deal with imports and taxes.
And maybe I can get a European version at a good price.

So, would you buy a version without the high gain, if only this option existed?

As an example, I only use low gain with my IEMs on the DX300. But, of course, the DX300 has much more power.
But, I also have good volume on the M300, which doesn't have a gain option, for example... despite not having much dynamics and quality.

Anyway, do I lose anything in terms of sound quality when using the limited EU option only on my IEMs?

 

[boodi]

Is there a difference in dynamics or overall sound when using high gain on the AM2?

No. Not in my experience.

So, would you buy a version without the high gain, if only this option existed?

Mm probably not ..if I had to get one I 'd get the full package/options..

Anyway, do I lose anything in terms of sound quality when using the limited EU option only on my IEMs?

Not really in my exp ( 1am2 with gain cap )

 

[boodi]

I wonder if most people in this thread would agree with this percentage about the difference between the a306 and the AM2. I know that sometimes, in this hobby, the quest is just to get that final 10%. But, I really want to know the sound of the Sony house.

In fact, Sony house paradigm sound is quite peculiar ,.. worth a listen for sure .

 

[boodi]

The 'capped' 1am2 is not that shy of power..not for IEMs.. Anyhow , since there's option , it's better to account for that day that you'd want to try that headphones / anything on it , and you may be left asking for else ( more power ) ; that day you would be happy to have option to do and try it on high gain

 

[Gww1]

I agree with the above, the capped WM1Am2 sounds amazing and easily drives my IEMs with plenty of headroom (64 Volur, Hisenior Mega5est, Campfire Ara).
I actually compared it with the Cayin N7 while I owned both at the same time and chose the Sony, but I only intended to use it with IEMs so didn’t need much power.

I would however recommend finding an uncapped one if you can to be honest as it just covers you for more headphones if you need it in the future.

 

[justanut]

Some details in this discussion from 2012
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-eu-volume-cap-mystery.600111/post-8211599

In short, EU passed laws to protect people's hearing. This is a wrong use of law, impractical, and impossible, which I see as no different than passing a law on what/how much people can eat so they will not get obese. But regardless, a law it is.

But it is a mess, as mandating a specific decibel limit, without taking into consideration that different amps/headphones could need more or less power for the same decibel output. So manufacturers (large ones that have a lot of revenue that can be penalized) have implemented a cap, mostly with the goal to reduce the risk of large fines, and they err on the side of caution. The law itself is badly defined, as the DAP manufacturer has no way of knowing what headphone/earphone the user will use, so have no way to tell what the decibel output will be. So the implementation is often brute force, as the EU enforcement could be arbitrary, so companies choose not to take chances with the implementation. They will err on the side of too much, rather than not enough.

Another question people ask is why so many small DAP companies do not implement a volume cap. The general understanding is that they are too small (footprint/revenue) to be targeted by the EU for extra revenue, and they can always just pull out of the market at any time, if they have to. In addition, even the distribution network could be grey market, so they can say they are not officially releasing products into the EU.

People also ask why the manufacturer does not provide a way to defeat the volume cap, like with a setting, alternate Firmware, etc. The answer is obvious, of course. Any bypass provided by a manufacturer would absolutely be interpreted as breaking the law, and would leave the company open to punitive fines.

That this law is stupid, and badly/not thought out properly? Yes, it absolutely is. But anybody who tries to argue with the government will lose. First by spending a fortune on lawyers and courts, and then by forced product changes/recalls, and penalties.

That the EU passes many mandates, and regularly assesses large fines against corporates, should not be news to anybody. A quick search online will find many examples.

I believe it was targeted at “noise” but lawmakers started implementing it for personal audio products. I agree that it’s a stupid law - you don’t see them limiting how loud music can be played at concerts, clubs and the such that are at levels of loudness (100, 110db?) that can cause permanent hearing loss even for the 60-90mins that we are exposed to.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Friends, would a new ZX507 with European gain limitation for €550 be a good buy? I will only use with IEMs. I have no intention of using it with headphones.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

How is the battery life of the ZX507? And the system's tactile response?

 

[ttt123]

Friends, would a new ZX507 with European gain limitation for €550 be a good buy? I will only use with IEMs. I have no intention of using it with headphones.

Sounds too expensive for an older model. In HK, I see a 2nd hand one listing for about HKD1700 (about US$200).
The fact that it is a volume capped model is another point against.

Better to put the money towards a newer model.

 

[ttt123]

How is the battery life of the ZX507? And the system's tactile response?

User Interface is fine, as it is a standard Walkman UI. As it is a DAP for playing music, and not for youtube, email, etc., and music is all I use it for, it has been fine for me.

EDIT: As it is an older player, you will not know what state the battery is in. The ZX507 was released in Nov 2019, which was 4 1/2 years ago.

 

[ttt123]

I have another question:
I'm in Europe.
My DAP use case will truly only be with my IEM collection.
I use desktop amp for my open back headphones. And in extreme cases, if I need to use a DAP with headphones, I can take advantage of the power of the DX300.

So, my simple question is:
Can I live with an AM2 with the gain limitation imposed by the EU if I am going to use only IEMs?
Is there a difference in dynamics or overall sound when using high gain on the AM2?
I don't know if it will be easy to get an Uncapped version.
I would have to deal with imports and taxes.
And maybe I can get a European version at a good price.

So, would you buy a version without the high gain, if only this option existed?

As an example, I only use low gain with my IEMs on the DX300. But, of course, the DX300 has much more power.
But, I also have good volume on the M300, which doesn't have a gain option, for example... despite not having much dynamics and quality.

Anyway, do I lose anything in terms of sound quality when using the limited EU option only on my IEMs?

There is a major difference in the maximum output power available for a capped player versus a non-capped player.
(The spec for an uncapped player only lists the output power for high gain, so the output power spec for low gain is not published/available. Maybe the low gain power is similar to that for a capped player? Don't know...)

Will an IEM sound loud enough? - Yes for most?
Will there be a difference in the Dynamics? - Theoretically, I believe there would be a difference from not having the high gain power available for some IEMs. Whether there is any difference, overall, and/or for a specific IEM, and how much, depends on system/usage, and whether it is acceptable, is also up to each user.
Will it be performing at it's best, with the reduced power? - Good enough for some users/IEMs. No for others.
Will this be acceptable? Up to each user, the IEMs used, the volume used, the individual person's ears/hearing, the music listened to, what they listen for in the music. - For some, yes, good enough/acceptable. For some, no.

******************************************************************************************************************************
EU-UK (capped):
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1am2/specifications

Headphone Out (Stereo mini-jack)​

FREQUENCY20-40,000 Hz
MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT (JEITA 16Ω/MW)0.4-1.1mW (32Ω)

Headphone Out (Balanced standard-jack)​

FREQUENCY20-40,000 Hz
MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT (JEITA 16Ω/MW)0.4-1.1mW (32Ω)

*********************************************************************************************************************************
Hong Kong (uncapped):
https://www.sony.com.hk/en/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1am2/specifications

Headphone Out (Stereo mini-jack)​

FREQUENCY20-40,000 Hz
MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT (JEITA 16Ω/MW)60mW+60mW (High Gain)

Headphone Out (Balanced standard-jack)​

FREQUENCY20-40,000 Hz
MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT (JEITA 16Ω/MW)250mW+250mW (High Gain)

 

[MrWalkman]

The output power of an uncapped player at low gain is also higher than that of a capped player.