[Toronto699]

Does anyone here have any suggested leather case alternatives to Dignis for the nw-wm1am2? Seems they're just about all sold out on their website. Trying to track down either their patina brown case or otherwise something in basic black that isn't the official sony case.

https://www.amazon.ca/Genuine-Leath...wm1am2+wm1am2+case,electronics,96&sr=1-4&th=1

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

@osiris1
I don't think i've noticed any sibilance with the 7550s. But maybe because my source is an Ipod from ten years ago as well. Heading down the cable changing route sounds bad for my wallet haha.

@Vamp898
What I meant originally was if the M9's are worth a thousand bucks, vs a pair like the 7550 which cost me $250. Maybe I need to use them with higher quality players to notice flaws.

@Sonywalkmanuser
I listen to music at 60-75% max volume usually. So maybe that's why I don't notice flaws in the 7550. My main concern is buying the M9's and then Sony releasing a new series of IEMs that will replace those and will be superior, at a similar price range. Good to know they pair well with the 1AM2.

I will be surprised if Sony releases any new iems next year, given how badly the world economy is doing now with all these cryptocurrencies exchange bankruptcy fallout, soaring inflation and tech sector retrenchments. The ier-m9 is studio grade gears and Sony has historically kept their studio gear for long production cycles, seldom do they replace these productions, I suspect it could be take decade(count from 2018) or so before another new iem comes along.

 

[andrewski]

Also, I have the MDR-Z7M2, but read how many prefer the sound of the first Z7. It's a risk that newer is better.

 

[564070]

Question is why do they even need to address this?
Almost any modern good quality microsd cards will play audio files fine on the walkman without any drop outs or issues unlike the Lexar card. Though the question of sound quality is going to be a varying experience, not everyone has the same hearing abilties or the same audio gears.

Sony already made their point that microsd card matters for sound quality when they specifically approved the production of audiophile microsd back in 2015, although they already discontinued the product, as far as I have searched, Sony Engineer Mr Hiroaki Sato(who designed this M2 Walkman and this Sony Premium Sound Microsd) has never publically backtracked or deny microsd's card sound quality effect.

Also from a technical point of view, Industrial Microsd draw much less idle power than consumer cards. If you have some understanding of electrical engineering, any additional power draw on the battery does contribute to more noise effect on the other digital electronics in the chain.
https://goughlui.com/2021/02/27/experiment-microsd-card-power-consumption-spi-performance/


SanDisk Ultra: 1.25mA


Verbatim Premium: 1.45mA


Delkin Devices Industrial card: 0.15mA


There are also others who have heard microsd card affecting sound quality but it's your choice to believe him or view it as a case of sunk cost fallacy or whatever:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...ge-all-welcome.957426/page-2309#post-17135890
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...n-first-page-all-welcome.957426/post-17136444

also this post from @ttt123 is worth a read:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...n-first-page-all-welcome.957426/post-17137498

Well you can keep on googling, I’m not convinced. Yet. I’m an IT-Auditor and my first name is "Thomas"
Let’s see what Sony has to say about this.

 

[andrewski]

Also, Swissbit ROCKS!

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

Just something I discovered about Sony, they are very particular about their press releases. They would even go back to make statement revisions to the press release 6 months later:

https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202202/22-0209/

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

Also, Swissbit ROCKS!

Yup, still using this excellent microsd card on my 1AM2.

So far this is my long term usage impressions of the Swissbit S55U in combination of: DSEE Ultimate x DC Phase Linearizer Type B Std x Balanced IER-M9:
Pristine Transparency and Clarity
Silky smooth airy treble extension
Super Black background that allows for sound elements like vocals to stand out more
Fast, Clean and Clear(non-muddy) Quality Bass notes (the internal nand of the 1AM2 seems to have a more slower, but stronger bass note)

https://www.mouser.sg/ProductDetail/Swissbit/SFSD256GN1AM1MT-I-7G-211-STD?qs=sPbYRqrBIVmLv5sLjAf58Q==

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

Well you can keep on googling, I’m not convinced. Yet. I’m an IT-Auditor and my first name is "Thomas"
Let’s see what Sony has to say about this.

I think It's good to be on the skeptical side of things, given how much deceptions and lies that can be made by any company. Anker used to have solid reputation for their power banks and chargers but look at them now:

Anker has built a remarkable reputation for quality over the past decade, building its phone charger business into an empire spanning all sorts of portable electronics — including the Eufy home security cameras we’ve recommended over the years. Eufy’s commitment to privacy is remarkable: it promises your data will be stored locally, that it “never leaves the safety of your home,” that its footage only gets transmitted with “end-to-end” military-grade encryption, and that it will only send that footage “straight to your phone.”

Despite claims of only using local storage with its security cameras, Eufy has been caught uploading identifiable footage to the cloud. And it’s even possible to view the camera streams using VLC.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/30...oud-private-encryption-authentication-storage


Even Apple as well:
https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-privacy-dsid-analytics-personal-data-test-1849807619

 

[Not so fat head]

Also, I have the MDR-Z7M2, but read how many prefer the sound of the first Z7. It's a risk that newer is better.

I have the Z7, and have listened to the Z7M2 at Best Buy... not a night/day difference, so don't sweat it...

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

@Whitigir @ttt123

This is interesting stuff, someone actually did a some kind of time domain read noise comparison between microsd card:

https://junkerhq.net/MDFourier/notes/note5-sdcardnoise.html
https://junkerhq.net/MDFourier/notes/note6-sdcardnoise-2.html

Sandisk Ultra 400GB:

Transcend 300S 256GB:

Samsung EVO 128GB(top) & 256GB(bottom):

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

There's also some noise floor information:

https://junkerhq.net/MDFourier/notes/note7-sdcardnoise-3.html

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

​

https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/587042029?utm_id=0​

This wave of recharge: Sony NW-WM1AM2 (black brick second generation) experience​

4 days ago · From Column Voice of Goblin

Goblin Kanshan
A rose in the sky
Pay attention to
Emmm Sony high-resolution music player NW-WM1AM2 has been used for more than half a year. I remember that these two reasons that I decided to buy at that time:
1. I'm used to streaming media on my mobile phone, and I hope the player can also stream it;
2. The upgrade range is very large, and the software and hardware have improved significantly.
If there is more, it is faith. Don't ask me why I don't buy gold bricks. If you ask, you just can't afford it...

As a enthusiast party who usually uses mobile phones + TWS headphones, I only use them outdoors at most. Nowadays, the domestic network is developed. You can get inexhaustible resources on the Internet by taking out the mobile phone casually. A pair of wireless headphones can start quickly. There is no denying that this is the best plan for travel at present, and it has become more people. I'm used to it. But at home, I prefer to use the combination of traditional players + wired headphones to calm down and enjoy music. A black brick 2, a pair of Just Ear, this is the most expensive and satisfying set of matches I have at present. Admittedly, there are more expensive equipment in the world than them, but as a person with more than 20 years of fever, reason tells me that it is the right choice to suit me. In fact, if you can focus on the interpretation of music, it is less important to pursue the ultimate of equipment. This article mainly shares with you my experience of using Sony's high-resolution music player NW-WM1AM2 (the name is so long ~ hereinafter referred to as Black Brick 2).

Let's talk about the system first. It should be said that this is one of the most important reasons why I have upgraded from generation to generation. I use NetEase music and Himalayan listening to books most commonly on my mobile phone, so this time I installed it into Black Brick 2. The system is based on Android11, and the fluency is not bad, but after all, it is not a mobile phone. Don't install any APP in it. You will cry when you stuff dozens of them into it. The sound quality of playing streaming media with Black Brick 2 is much better than that of mobile phones. Of course, the premise is that you have to spend money to buy a member~. So I'm used to streaming software, and it's really difficult for me to spend time looking for lossless music documents, but after all, I spent tens of thousands of yuan on the player, plus nearly 20,000 Just Ear, Emmmmm... No matter how good the streaming media is, it is not as good as local broadcasting, so I still have a lot of albums collected N years ago in my machine.
Speaking of its local file playback, I have to say that it comes with its own Walkman player. The unique feature is that some sound optimization functions are exclusive to Sony. They can truly improve the sound quality of local playback! For example, DSEE Ultimate can use Ai technology to accurately reproduce the frequency response and dynamic range of the original sound source. This function can bring infinitely close to the CD-level sound quality level when playing MP3 back. Although the sound quality of DSD is good, the sound of most portable players is light and sharp. Normally, turning on the DSD master reset engine can make DSD music more flexible and pleasant; DC phase linear is used to make low-frequency features closer to traditional analog amplifiers. These three are my most commonly used function points, so I save them into three sound profiles. Just scratch the sound settings page on the playback page and then quickly switch.

By the way, it also has a highly playable sound effect: vinyl record processor, which has four styles. As a person who perfectly misses the vinyl era, I think it is more like the taste of MD in those years. The simulation flavor is strong. If you don't like "violent analysis music", you must try it. But if your audio file is excellent enough and prefers the original pure output, just Direct (direct source, no sound has been modified).

You can feel a lot of shadows on the first generation from the shape design of Black Brick 2, but when I picked it up for the first time, I obviously felt the weight change, so I deliberately checked the parameters. The weight of Black Brick 2 is 299g, which is slightly heavier than the previous generation. Although the weight does not play a decisive role in improving sound quality, It is not as lighter as the mobile phone, the better. In the Walkman category, in addition to representing the harsher the material, it can even play an auxiliary bonus to the sound. For example, this visible aluminum alloy body can obtain lower resistance and increase the permeability of the sound. Please don't doubt this statement. It is an indisputable fact that the shell material is used to improve the sound quality! In addition, the larger 5-inch display screen is also more eye-catching. Although it still can't catch up with the size of a mid-end mobile phone, it is enough to display the cover.

In addition to the more solid weight, it is a comfortable sense of holding and pinching. Both sides of the fuselage have been treated with curvature, and the curvatures on both sides have cross-sections. Holding it with one hand, you won't feel too wide. At the same time, the thumb and middle finger can almost fit the concave buffer position under the section and non-switching curve. Combined with scientific physical button arrangement, volume adjustment, song cutting, boot bright screen and other blindness. It seems very simple to ****.

In order to improve the core part of sound quality, Black Brick 2 is reflected in the interior. In my opinion, the core upgrade is to follow the S-Master HX digital amplifier used on DMP-Z1 (NW-WM1ZM2), and Sony has strengthened it systematically. The decentralization and optimization of core technology have directly made a qualitative leap forward in sound. In addition, the polymer capacitor FT CAP3, auxiliary power supply is equipped with 8mm large solid polymer capacitors, gold-containing lead-free solder, etc. Digital-to-analog separation and oxygen-free copper filling wiring holes are escorted by high-resolution audio.

Finally, everyone is most concerned about the sound performance. The main combination is Just Ear (NW-WM1M2 special edition) in the picture. In terms of sound quality improvement function, I use the three modes mentioned above: DSEE Ultimate, DSD master reset engine and DC phase linearity. B STANDARD, Direct is never turned on. Although the sound is purer and straightforward after opening, I always feel that there is a little soul flavor. In fact, Sony's player has a very personalized color in tuning. Direct mode will completely erase these flavors. You can follow Your preference decides whether to turn it on or not. Without further ado, just use a few music to talk about personal feelings.
"Live in America" (selected from "Voice of Berlin II"), this track gives me the first impression of the enthusiasm on my face. The style is very similar to a street entertainment performance in Mexico. Although the instrument only simply uses a guitar, the guitar is accompanied by a rhythmic drum. The sound of palms and feet stepping on the floor is very high. For the interpretation of the guitar, every detail will not be missed. It is bright, soft and ductile. The applause beats with the rhythm is separated from the guitar, as if the guitar is in the middle of the stage, and the rhythmic applause comes from both sides of the stage. In addition to these sounds, there are also voices from time to time. The shout seems to be an expression of excitement when the dancer is having fun. The rest is the sound of stepping on the wooden floor under his feet. This part of the sound is mainly medium and low frequency parts, and the reverberation is relatively obvious, with good low frequency dynamics, so you can imagine that these sounds are almost perfect in each perform their respective functions. It should have characteristics, and at the same time, it is very flexible to make it easy for listeners to integrate into such an emotion similar to street music performances. However, what surprised me most was the applause and shouting of the masses at the end of the song. The sense of direction and space were too huge, as if I were in it and felt the cheerful atmosphere in all directions. It was very wonderful!
As a user who began to come into contact with Sony in the CD era 20 years ago, I have always emphasized that Sony's equipment has its own unique style. If it is simply described, "emotional expression" is one of them, but this way of expressing emotions is actually different inclined among different brands of equipment. Sony interprets its understanding of "emotion" in a way that is not very strong, but it always creates an atmosphere. If you want to talk about it in detail, it is really difficult to explain it in words. This just right emotional music can only be empathized if you experience it in person.
Then when I cut another type of music: pure voice is popular, and it is still full of enthusiasm. This is "aibo" from Koji Yuzhi, which is a real music that can make people indulge in it, and this set of matching can fully express Yu Zhihaoji's emotions. The atmosphere of background music is particularly strong. The high and low-frequency sound seems to be completed in one go. When the voice sound, the details of the singer's voice are completely presented in his ear. It is worth mentioning that the low frequency in this track is really the finishing touch, thick but not gorgeous. It just integrates this music into the "slightly drunk" tone, which is enough. With satisfying and touching.

In fact, the combination of Black Brick 2+Just Ear is roughly biased towards the popular colors of atmosphere creation in terms of sound style, but I listened to various styles of music and found that it seems to be very "humane" for all types, and even in the large system, it can make good use of power to make dynamics. The interpretation is very immersive, which is very different from the sharp scalpel-like resolution and extremely wide sound field that many domestic players pay attention to. These Sony also have them, but they bring more warm colors, so it sounds obviously more flexible and emotional.

At the end of the audio content, I still want to talk about its driving force. Admittedly, this player, which sells for nearly 10,000 yuan, is not good at the thrust, which is completely opposite to that of other players. The Just Ear, which has only balance plugs on hand, doesn't sound like anything wrong, but when I change it. With Titanium Bell Plus, the single port is a little weak. However, when I changed to the 4.4 balance plug, Titanium Bell Plus suddenly became lively! In particular, the solid sense of intermediate frequency and low frequency dynamics seem to be chicken blood, and even the density is even higher, which is what I have felt on the desktop with Titanium Bell Plus. I also found an unexpected feature. The single-end output of Black Brick 2 is surprisingly consistent in style, which is a point that many players at the same price have never done. However, the single end of Black Brick 2 may only be driven by earbuds with low impedance and sensitivity, which is also recommended that you need to pay attention to when choosing earbuds for Black Brick 2.

In the final summary part, if you ask me if Black Brick 2 is worth buying, I must say it's worth it. In terms of comprehensive strength, Sony's player has never lost. It is worth mentioning that it also has its battery life. I have tested the WAV lossless format for 15 hours, and finally there is still 25% of the power left... ... The charging speed is also extremely fast. I didn't specifically measure it. I just used a 65W gallium nitride, which was full in about an hour. Such endurance and charging efficiency are definitely the best in the walkman world. But to be honest, the full price of the full set has gone by 30,000 yuan. It is difficult for me to recommend this set of equipment to every friend who likes music. However, Sony's belief is worth guarding, and the right is regarded as the most colorful part of my personal fever process (consumption...) Let's do it.
Ending

 

[jjss]

Can u try checking apple music setting, try set the audio quality to lossless, might help. Please remember to lower the volume first.

Thanks for the response.
Indeed the AM setting is already lossless. It’s just that the sound level doesn’t sound right to me that apparently there isn’t enough output to drive an efficient HP. this sounds abnormal to me. I might take it to Sony and ask them if the unit is ok.

 

[ducnsh]

Thanks for the response.
Indeed the AM setting is already lossless. It’s just that the sound level doesn’t sound right to me that apparently there isn’t enough output to drive an efficient HP. this sounds abnormal to me. I might take it to Sony and ask them if the unit is ok.

Have you checked the "Media Volume" inside Setting > Sound? This setting affects to streaming applications

 

[osiris1]

@osiris1
I don't think i've noticed any sibilance with the 7550s. But maybe because my source is an Ipod from ten years ago as well. Heading down the cable changing route sounds bad for my wallet haha.

@Vamp898
What I meant originally was if the M9's are worth a thousand bucks, vs a pair like the 7550 which cost me $250. Maybe I need to use them with higher quality players to notice flaws.

@Sonywalkmanuser
I listen to music at 60-75% max volume usually. So maybe that's why I don't notice flaws in the 7550. My main concern is buying the M9's and then Sony releasing a new series of IEMs that will replace those and will be superior, at a similar price range. Good to know they pair well with the 1AM2.

there are good budget cables as well... check out the bang for buck thread. and if you do get a Sony Walkman, you owe it to yourself to get a balanced cable for the 7550