[psikey]

I really cannot understand the music that the young ones of today are listening to:



How is this considered good music?
I am sorry if you happen to be Billie Eilish fan but I totally cannot find myself to be listening to this kind of poorly produced music that has almost zero rhythm and the lyrics consist of just a few simple words that is sung in a very monotonous manner.

Its depression music to match the world mood!

Maybe she's overheated "want to hurt me, want to kill me" lyrics

 

[Whitigir]

I found out a reason why GAN FET is not used in Walkman. The dedicated Gan FET are not produced for portability yet. The GaN being used inside quick charger and other stuff are different and not the same as Sony used on SA Z1, which is dedicated to audio integrity. In order to use those, the voltage rails will have to be a lot higher than even tube amplifiers. We will not see those new technologies anytime soon. Especially, with all the pandemic and constrained supplies going on.

It seems the M2 will be in for a long run like the last one as well

 

[maddib]

Its depression music to match the world mood!

Maybe she's overheated "want to hurt me, want to kill me" lyrics

IMHO, esp. current mainstream pop music is not meant to be 'listened' to from a DAP . You don't need a high-tech unit for that. Such music is not made for high-res. Usually extremely compressed dynamic range, with rather computer generated instruments than real ones.

 

[gLer]

I really cannot understand the music that the young ones of today are listening to:



How is this considered good music?
I am sorry if you happen to be Billie Eilish fan but I totally cannot find myself to be listening to this kind of poorly produced music that has almost zero rhythm and the lyrics consist of just a few simple words that is sung in a very monotonous manner.

May I suggest some light reading

 

[Whitigir]

@Whitigir
This is a highly technical pdf on direct digital amplifiers(like the S-master HX?), I think this is something that you will enjoy reading:

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:23244/fulltext01.pdf

From this article, I further confirmed that the best S-Master to listen to is the TA-ZH1ES… as of and at this moment.

The reason being is that it is Direct Pulse Drive generators, and with analog Amplifications together with Feedback just for the Pre-amp out, or Line out.

When paired with my Tube amplifier, usually I love Non feedback, but with TAZ as a source, I enjoy Feedback a lot more on my amplifier as well. Tonal balances is awesome

 

[Whitigir]

Lady and gentlemen, as a subjective hobby, there is no right and or wrong. We are all into it, and so we are subjected to our own preferences. We are all here posting and sharing because we have the same hobby

 

[Liono]

A few things...

Discovered a case that others maybe interested in:

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004131407372.html?spm=a2g0n.shopcart-amp.item.1005004131407372&

Question: I believe the WM1A/1Z couldn't combine both the internal memory and ext mSD card files into one library and one had to manually switch. Does the M2 now create one library, or does it split like the original?

On the subject of streaming, check out Solo: A Star wars story in 24-bit 192KHz. If there was an album that shows of Hi-Res surely this is one of them.

 

[Andricop]

Question: I believe the WM1A/1Z couldn't combine both the internal memory and ext mSD card files into one library and one had to manually switch. Does the M2 now create one library, or does it split like the original?

You'll have everything in one library

 

[nc8000]

A few questions for my headfi friends.

1. Can you equalize at all on the Walkman?
2. What is the best planner magnetic headphone which is properly drivable by the walkman? I imagine a LCD-5 or Meze Elite is properly drivable- but not sure...

1. Yes there is either classic bass/mid/treble tone controls or a 10 band fixed frequency graphic eq
2. I dont know

 

[Liono]

You'll have everything in one library

Brilliant, many thanks

 

[Lookout57]

A few things...

Discovered a case that others maybe interested in:

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004131407372.html?spm=a2g0n.shopcart-amp.item.1005004131407372&

Question: I believe the WM1A/1Z couldn't combine both the internal memory and ext mSD card files into one library and one had to manually switch. Does the M2 now create one library, or does it split like the original?

On the subject of streaming, check out Solo: A Star wars story in 24-bit 192KHz. If there was an album that shows of Hi-Res surely this is one of them.

The OG 1A/1Z has one library that is comprised of the internal and microSD. However playlists are limited to tracks only on one medium.

 

[Liono]

The OG 1A/1Z has one library that is comprised of the internal and microSD. However playlists are limited to tracks only on one medium.

Thanks for clarification. I thought I read they had separate libraries, which I always thought was rather odd. Cheers.

 

[DJ Core]

Please kindly ignore this post if you have the fixed notion that Microsd cards CANNOT change the sound quality of a high quality music reproduction device.

Initial Impression of the Swissbit Industrial S-55u 256GB Microsd vs Sandisk Extreme Pro 256GB Microsd on a 190hour aged WM1AM2:

Both cards do offer better sound quality in comparison to the on-board storage of the WM1AM2, the main takeaway is a more Dynamic sound with more improved sound-staging using the microSD cards

Sandisk Extreme Pro has a very dynamic sound with quite alot of bass and very strong transient dynamics. Soundstage is very 3D-like. It is definitely an excellent sounding card in my books.

How is the Swissbit? I feel it is a step up from the Sandisk Extreme Pro. More resolving, more holographic, better soundstage imaging.

First listen gave me the impression of better clarity(less grain) and more resolution in the sound. The improved clarity is more evident in acoustic music which the instruments sounded even more transparent and silky smooth.

The Extreme Pro is already really very smooth and clear, however the Swissbit has a slight edge up in overall holographic feel. If comparing these two cards critically, I can't help but to notice a very slight grain to the sound on the Sandisk.

If listening to a complex music track with many instruments in the mix, the Swissbit has a better coherency/harmony to the sound. Not sure if it is related to jitter/timing or clarity, I just felt that I can hear individual instruments more clearly/easily on the Swissbit over the Extreme Pro.

Do note that the differences I mentioned above between these two microsd cards are less dramatic and rather subtle, there is much bigger differences for
Extreme Pro vs Internal Storage
Swissbit vs Internal Storage

I would think the Swissbit would make for an excellent sounding Microsd if the maximum size of 256GB is enough for your usage. The cost per GB for the Swissbit is 2 times higher than Sandisk Extreme Pro.

My Subjective Rating:
Swissbit S-55u 256GB: A++
Sandisk Extreme Pro 256GB: A+
1AM2 Walkman Internal Storage: B

FYI on this impression for those who heard differences in microsd:
@ttt123
@DJ Core
@TonyStarks
@ExpatinJapan

Bought the recently released DX240 2 months ago. Dropped the same Michael Jackson Thriller DSD on internal memory and compared the sound quality with my Micron 256GB Industrial Card and the differences are even more evident on this DAP due to it's "Live Sound" signature vs ZX500 Walkman. You can hear the differences with all kinds of music.

Will never use regular consumer cards again for music.

 

[DJ Core]

I have really scoured through tons of datasheets, website whitepapers and various other scientific papers on Microsd manufacturing, technology and implementations of the various manufacturers.

There's also other brands that produces Industrial Microsd that I have considered like Apacer, Greenliant, Flexxon.

The choice for Swissbit came down to it's website which has very detailed information about their quality controls and testing:
https://www.swissbit.com/en/blog/post/the-secret-of-swissbit-product-quality-part-i/
https://www.swissbit.com/en/blog/post/the-secret-of-swissbit-product-quality-part-ii/

This is the price difference:

In USD$
Sandisk Industrial IX QD342 256GB 3D TLC(?) $262.78
Apacer CV110-MSD 256GB 3D TLC $219.92
Sandisk Edge 256GB 3D TLC(?) $210.07 (out of stock, 20 weeks wait)
Swissbit S-55u (Industrial model, not Extended) 256GB 3D TLC: $151.15
Micron I300 256GB QLC $113.01
GreenLiant 256GB QLC $85.29

So you can see, the Swissbit is actually the lowest costing 3D TLC on the mouser site.
I would likely try out the Micron I300 in the future.

Just to share my insight into the Industrial Microsd cards after doing so much research into them:

These Industrial cards are used in the medical, military and financial sectors, so they must be able to store and retrieve data with extreme reliability and as well as able to operate in the harshest condition like in desert or inside automotive vehicle engine bay area or inside a search and rescue drone flying in the winter.

Conformal Coating which resist corrosion and humidity (though some consumer professional cards have them too)
Wider working temperatures (right down to -40 degrees Celsius)
EMI and Vibration tested
Better data protection against sudden Power failure
More powerful Error Correction Engine, normal consumer grade cards usually uses BCH error correction, more advanced industrial cards uses LDPC (like Micron)
Better Wear Leveling implementation which means the card can last longer for intensive writes
Software Health Monitoring Tool (some brands)
More thicker Gold coating for pinouts, exceeding the standard SDA spec of 10,000 insertions. Some cards like Swissbit is spec to 20,000 Insertions.

So how does all these affect the sound quality of the walkman? To be honest, I don't know exactly. Your guess is as good as mine.

You should also look at operating current...Micron for example uses very low current vs other industrial cards which means less noise thus a cleaner sound.

 

[rsbrsvp]

can I put a 1tb card in the walkman?