[psikey]

I would save for a 1Z or worse case get a second 1A.

Why? premium in price is too high for the difference in SQ from what I've read, its too heavy and the Gold coating will be nowhere as durable as black passivated aluminium. In its leather case what's point of it being gold! You won't see it. Do we really value 256GB over 128GB internal RAM when we end-up putting large mSD cards inside them.

You want DAP* only streaming support with good battery then you get the M2 over the M1. (ZX507 ruined by low battery life IMO).

* not need mobile phone in BT mode.

NOTE: I've been trying to justify £3399 vs £1299 just because I love the look of the Gold one this time, but unless your wealthy or money means little to you its just too big a premium to logically justify without turning "my money sense" off, its not about having money to afford it either, but perceived value.

At £2299 I may have took the leap! Material cost of copper, Gold plating, thick Kimber wire and extra 128GB should materially add less than £300 I'd have thought (guessing at low thickness gold plating 1-2um).

PS. Unless someone can really say what your getting better for the extra £2100! Don't really believe "better Sound quality" as it will be a tiny "variation" compared to the A. With Mark 1 didn't people manage to make the A sound like a Z with MrWalkmans firmware. Tuning/Firmware obviously makes a significant impact. Apart from denser gold plated copper and thicker wiring on balanced isn't it identical at board level (and 128GB more RAM).

PSS I appreciate there must be plenty of wealthy people in these forums and £3K could be like pocket change to them.

PSSS Plus, the Gold isn't inconspicuous so wife will ask question! Black will be less noticeable to have to explain the purchase

 

[drgnfly]

Don’t forget to create a “MUSIC” folder in the microSD card to hold the music files. Or the DAP won’t recognise it.

Lucky you! Did you order directly from Japan as well?

Nope. I ordered directly from Sony Singapore during the CanJam Singapore 2022
Will just transfer directly from PC ... since I don't have micro SD card

 

[drgnfly]

Unboxed. The box is really high quality and thick.

Hard to believe it’s recycled material

The velvet material is a bit rough though. But it’s ok

I’m glad that there’s a dust protector plug for the audio jack

Really feels premium for the unpacking experience. Seems like they took a clue from Apple style

 

[psikey]

Unboxed. The box is really high quality and thick.

Hard to believe it’s recycled material

The velvet material is a bit rough though. But it’s ok

I’m glad that there’s a dust protector plug for the audio jack

Really feels premium for the unpacking experience. Seems like they took a clue from Apple style

This Japanese spec and if so did you buy from Amazon Japan? Any writing on the black plastic bit on the back that I'm expecting other regions (UK/EU/US) to have regulatory info printed across.

 

[drgnfly]

This Japanese spec and if so did you buy from Amazon Japan? Any writing on the black plastic bit on the back that I'm expecting other regions (UK/EU/US) to have regulatory info printed across.

There’s isn’t any marking
The marking are beside the USB C port

I bought this from Sony Singapore
How to determine whether it’s Japanese spec or not

I thought everything will be the same?

 

[psikey]

There’s isn’t any marking
The marking are beside the USB C port

I bought this from Sony Singapore
How to determine whether it’s Japanese spec or not

I thought everything will be the same?

Thanks. Maybe they aren't putting info on the plastic part!

Wonder why Gold version doesn't have the plastic part on the back cover and why the A version does? Anybody know?

 

[MrWalkman]

not need mobile phone in BT mode

Sure, but if you're not at home you still need phone in Hotspot mode

In any case, the M2 players seem like a good choice, and I would like to have one of them someday.

 

[Whitigir]

So they are made in China now. I wonder why no more Malaysia

 

[Andricop]

Because Sony decided to close its plant in Malaysia end of 2020

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Electronics/Sony-to-close-audio-product-plant-in-Malaysia-by-2022

 

[gLer]

In any case, the M2 players seem like a good choice, and I would like to have one of them someday.

It would be cool if Sony gave the option of booting into "pure music mode" (OG Walkman software + any additional features the M2 is capable of) as well as Android mode. Shouldn't be too difficult to do, and would make the M2 the most awesomesauce DAPs on the planet! All the benefits of your FW mods + all the benefits of Android streaming, but only when you need them. No more having to choose either or.

 

[goody]

I'm not fussed either way. I'm only ordering to try out before I most likely return ready for importing a Japanese one unless they haven't ruined it with an excessive volume cap.

Looking forward to your observation psikey if it is not terribly capped i might jump on board

 

[MrWalkman]

It would be cool if Sony gave the option of booting into "pure music mode" (OG Walkman software + any additional features the M2 is capable of) as well as Android mode. Shouldn't be too difficult to do, and would make the M2 the most awesomesauce DAPs on the planet! All the benefits of your FW mods + all the benefits of Android streaming, but only when you need them. No more having to choose either or.

Even if it would be the Walkman OS again, we'd probably not be able to do anything at the moment regarding any firmware mods.

 

[gLer]

Even if it would be the Walkman OS again, we'd probably not be able to do anything at the moment regarding any firmware mods.

That's a shame. The extra high gain mod has transformed the OG 1Z into one of the most powerful/versatile DAPs I've heard, given it can drive just about anything now.

 

[psikey]

Sure, but if you're not at home you still need phone in Hotspot mode

In any case, the M2 players seem like a good choice, and I would like to have one of them someday.

No, I use offline Tidal/AmazonHD. When I had the ZX507 I rarely had the wifi/BT/NFC on at all.

 

[MrWalkman]

No, I use offline Tidal/AmazonHD. When I had the ZX507 I rarely had the wifi/BT/NFC on at all.

Yeah, but you mentioned "not need mobile phone in BT mode", which implies that you would have to stream audio from the internet through your smartphone, and this is why I mentioned the Hotspot thing