Sony NW-WM1Z Owner and Impressions !

[Whitigir]

92 hours to be precise....and this is where I observe the soundstage opening up and having better air/spaces....lower trebles also is showing improvements

 

[roses77]

Where can you buy the zx2 Dock. I Should have bought the Sony WM1Z instead of Astell&kern Daps, the sound is thin and dry. Well I am planning to buy the Sony WM1Z, this Sony Copper Gold version won't come back in future.

So how did you compare to the sound of AK380 Copper Version.

 

[denis1976]

Where can you buy the zx2 Dock. I Should have bought the Sony WM1Z instead of Astell&kern Daps, the sound is thin and dry. Well I am planning to buy the Sony WM1Z, this Sony Copper Gold version won't come back in future.

So how did you compare to the sound of AK380 Copper Version.

hello ,i never heard the 1Z but i have a ak380 copper plus copper amp and the sound is not thin and dry, is thick and huge

 

[roses77]

hello ,i never heard the 1Z but i have a ak380 copper plus copper amp and the sound is not thin and dry, is thick and huge

Ok so when you get the chance to listen to the Sony WM1Z you'll notice the difference in sound.

I'm sure the Sony has Thicker sound than Ak380 as I also have Ak380 + amp standard edition. And old Sony MP3 player, that plays only the bass goes deeper than Akdaps, I own 3 the AK120 + GloveA1 attached.

The AK240 Gokd editions that I'd like to sell to buy the Sony.

I find the Akdaps have detailed and has clarity, It's time for me to have different sound signature. This Sony WM1Z is impressive with an built in amp. I always loved Sony.

 

[roses77]

I meant my old Sony MP3 player only plays MP3's

 

[Whitigir]

S-master generally is thicker and more analog than DAC. Sony can tune it to be leaner but generally they don't. Regarding 1Z, yeah...it is thick...like tubes kind of thickness . If you love thickness, go for 1Z, it is even thicker than TA amp lol

 

[roses77]

S-master generally is thicker and more analog than DAC. Sony can tune it to be leaner but generally they don't. Regarding 1Z, yeah...it is thick...like tubes kind of thickness . If you love thickness, go for 1Z, it is even thicker than TA amp lol

Sorry I meant thickness in sound quality. Not the design of the dap. Sonys sound signature is aimed for mainstream music you hear on the top 50 charts. I'm not sure how classical and soundtrack film score music sounds on this new Sony WM1Z and it has Buiilt in amp. As Akdaps don't.

The old Sony MP3 players had an built in Amp, if has so much power.

 

[roses77]

And another thing to add. Sony isn't used in dac mode.

 

[Whitigir]

Sorry I meant thickness in sound quality. Not the design of the dap. Sonys sound signature is aimed for mainstream music you hear on the top 50 charts. I'm not sure how classical and soundtrack film score music sounds on this new Sony WM1Z and it has Buiilt in amp. As Akdaps don't.

The old Sony MP3 players had an built in Amp, if has so much power.

I also meant thickness of the sound quality...there is no way WM1Z can be physically thicker than Ta amp

 

[denis1976]

Ok so when you get the chance to listen to the Sony WM1Z you'll notice the difference in sound.

I'm sure the Sony has Thicker sound than Ak380 as I also have Ak380 + amp standard edition. And old Sony MP3 player, that plays only the bass goes deeper than Akdaps, I own 3 the AK120 + GloveA1 attached.

The AK240 Gokd editions that I'd like to sell to buy the Sony.

I find the Akdaps have detailed and has clarity, It's time for me to have different sound signature. This Sony WM1Z is impressive with an built in amp. I always loved Sony.

ok you have the standard ak380 not the copper...i never eard the standard version but from what i read the sound is more detail and thin than the LPG for exemple, i have a Lotoo paw gold and the sound of the ak380 copper with the copper amp or not is much more on the musical side and is thick not thin

 

[warrior1975]

How did I miss this thread. Whitigir Great impressions bro, thanks.

 

[bharat2580]

if  get the WM1A, coming from an DX90. is battery replacement after a few years possible or its a use and throw thing, 
my upgrade could be
 
1. the sony WM1A
2. basso dx200
3. ak 300 or the 70
 
 
need clarity , musical prsentation , mids and mids and airy highs and something different then the DX90 which is a great bang for the buck.

 

[SabreToothBunny]

Well it's late but a happy New Year to all. Christmas was busy and level comparisons were put on the back-burner. Since then, I can't imagine many haven't seen it but the ability to unlock the 'High Gain' settings for the EU version of the WM1Z mean the unit is now a definite keeper for me and renders any volume camparisons redundant.
It was mentioned in the 'other' thread by Cagin and Zakalwe but full details were very kindly posted by CraftClown in this post:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/815841/new-sony-nw-wm1z-wm1a-flagship-hi-end-dap/6765#post_13151365

I'm posting my initial impressions here despite not being fully burned in. I've thus not gone into so much depth because things might be different if the unit were completely burned in and I realise that. My WM1Z is probably about 120hrs in. I am hoping the high detail will be more apparent and the sound will open up with some more usage but we'll see. The reason I'm still posting these early impressions is because I have a couple of new desktop rigs and am also waiting for some 4.4mm components, so my burn-in will go back to zero and the sound presentation will be different anyway; it will likely be months before I reach even 200hrs of burn in once I switch to the Pentaconn output;
Can I believe that the WM1A would be more to some people's preferences than the WM1Z? I can because the WM1Z has quite a unique signature which pairs better with some of my headphones/IEMs than others and to that end there are some sources I definitely prefer with certain pairings to the WM1Z but I'll cover that a little later;

Currently single-ended, no EQ, the WM1Z conveys exactly like it feels in the hand; extreme density. So to quantify that the sound is big and weighted not syrupy and unresolute. The soundstage is decently wide (with wide sounding recordings) but what is initially striking is the depth and ability to layer.
Bass; for my preferences, it's the only DAP to dethrone my Lotoo Paw Gold in this department; deep, fast, solid and extremely textured. There is no bleed into mids, instead male vocals are provided a solid level of gravitas and female vocals convey more emotion than some of my more analytical sources.
For now, I'm going to have to put a pin in the presentation of the highs because I imagine (and hope) that this will open up with a little more sparkle in time. For now, I can't imagine that the WM1Z will sound bright with even the harshest of headphones/earphones and to be frank, a little more air and energy is what I would really like to see with more burn-in.
Because of the soundstage width and depth, orchestral work is particularly well presented with superb instrumental positioning and accuracy. It really does have the ability to put you in the middle of a hall with a nice quality recording. Organs, cello and piano forte works are particularly rich sounding but higher pitched instruments are currently lacking a little bite, like the sharpness of violas and piccolos. For electronica and the right pairing the basshead in me is truly satisfied. The warmer presentation is also forgiving with poorer quality recordings and the rich mids are excel for vocal work. Metal, blues and jazz are beautifully presented with good separation, rich crunchy bass and drums... though again it's those cymbals and hi-hats which are currently suffering for what I like. Acoustic work has a nice resonance and that separation really does highlight the rich presentation of vocals. Not sure I've encountered a DAP which has the ability to convey music quite this way before. There aren't any genres I'd say it is weak with.

Though I'm sure there are other units which do this, this is the first DAP I've come across which pairs a high level of speed and resolution while maintaining that warm, analog presentation in a way I've only come across from desktop rigs. The Lotoo Paw Gold was about as close as I imagined DAPs would come but the WM1Z surpasses it in that respect. The wider, bigger soundstage certainly helps and this is the most apparent weakness of the LPG in comparison. For now the mids of the LPG are behind the WM1Z because of those different soundstages, particularly with separation and more air on the Sony but I have to say I do currently prefer the sparkle in the presentation of the highs on the LPG. Because of that, despite my preference in the presentation of bass and mids of the WM1Z, due to the unit not being fully burned in, the LPG is the more balanced sounding unit across the entire frequency spectrum - maybe this will change with time. Where the WM1Z pulls ahead as a complete package is its soundstage and layering capabilities which provide a far larger landscape to present music in. For now there are things I will always like about the LPG and why it will remain in the collection:
- It's such a compact package for what it delivers compared to the WM1Z
- Cheaper and larger volume full SD cards available
- Slightly more driving power
- Equally well balanced but slightly more intimate sound presentation due to narrower soundstage
- No card scanning when turning on
- Dedicated line-out and very nice, clean transport especially with Chord Mojo, Chord Dave and Shure KSE1500 system - currently a personal preference as source compared to the WM1Z

But to go back to the WM1Z, aside from the sound described above, features which aren't necessarily unique but nevertheless I like:
- Rock solid build quality and nice attention to detail on the design such as nodules on buttons so you can work it in your pocket
- 256Gb onboard memory, bar modded units, the largest I've had in a DAP
- Scanning speed of a newly filled card is fast even with a full 256Gb card
- Immense battery life
- Excellent level of driving power (once unlocked), very limiting otherwise
- Feels/performs like a truly pocketable 'desktop' level rig
- Button controls with screen off
- Does not run hot at all nor get hot charging

Things I'm not so keen on:
- No screen protector provided
- supplied case isn't ideal and particularly don't like not having a cut-out for the power socket
- Huge compared to what I'm used to
- Perhaps it's a standard Sony thing but... *yawn*, yet another type of power plug connection and another cable for me to have to keep to hand
- Couple of fixable UI things (currently on 1.02) eg. UI delay, have to hit on-screen back button twice to register when playing music and after turning screen on
- Don't think it can be disabled and though it's quicker when there have been no changes I'd prefer the unit not re-scanning my collection every time I start-up
- Could have done with a dedicated line-out. There is a small amount of noise I can detect on very sensitive IEMs but for the most part it's 'invisible' when playing music
- Yes the internal 256Gb is generous but dual MicroSD would have been nice
- The unit is so so heavy! I usually carry my DAPs in cargo pockets but this is having to go in my jackets as I am not really into being an underwear showing 'rudeboy'

 

[SabreToothBunny]

Other Select DAP Comparisons

I'm more of a desktop user thus I own very few DAPs at this sort of TOTL level and to be frank the LPG is the only one I feel is directly comparable to the WM1Z out of what I own - both being no compromise pure music players. Nevertheless there are still a select few DAPs I'd like to draw comparisons to as they contrast/share similarities to the WM1Z and I feel may still be interesting propositions depending on what one might be looking for. Pricing is pitched more at the WM1A price levels. None of these offer balanced output and all units, to save repeating each time, run warm, battery life is between 8-12hrs and I don't use an EQ:

Acoustic Research AR-M2:; There is one thing in particular I don't like about the M2 which is it's large volume control location which is on a corner at the bottom; perfect for accidentally destroying ears. It's also a large unit but slightly unweildy compared to the WM1Z being a very thick, large angular mobile phone shape. Also only a single MicroSD slot with 64Gb internal memory, nevertheless build quality is top-notch.
M2 has more power to hand, it's the only DAP I own which seems to have more power than the LPG. Soundwise the M2 has the most potent bass of any of the DAPs I'll mention here but also lacks some of the resolution in those low frequencies. Layering capabilities of the WM1Z are well ahead. Mids aren't quite as rich as the Sony. Highs are currently a bit more vivid but that might change with time. The M2 can sound a little grainy at times but extremely powerful, energetic and visceral. Overall the WM1Z is a more mature sounding, more resolute package.
What the AR-M2 has got going for it is that it's an android based device with wifi and bluetooth. Caveat being it's not a full Android firmware but bar Google Music (because of there being no Google Services) I've been able to sideload most other streaming apps onto the AR-M2. If streaming is a must and preference is for a warm but less analog sound, or one were a basshead looking to make the transition to a more reference package this is worth looking at. The amp is too powerful for decent control on many of my IEMs except the least sensitive ones but it is the only portable I own which can just drive my Abyss AB-1266 if you're looking to drive hard to drive headphones without an external amp

Soundaware M1 Pro: I mention this here because despite being a far cheaper unit, I feel out of all the DAPs I own this is the one which shares the closest sound characteristics, specifically to the WM1Z (rather than the WM1A). It has an FPGA dac which is designed to sound more warm and analog. It is, confusingly, a mixture of the presentation of two other units; the M1 (Digital) and M1 Analog... specifically the soundstage width of the digital with the warmth and 'roundness' of the Analog. Build quality is a mixed bag with a solid body marred by a very poor MicroSD card cover and a somewhat odd button configuration. I've even got a large piece of dust under my glass screen, which is something I've never encountered before in any unit, no matter the cost. The unit does, however, have dual MicroSD slots. The worst thing about the unit is the UI which isn't buggy but just poorly thought out. If you're used to those odd boutique DAP UIs and can live with that, it's a very unique offering but hopefully SoundAware will just tweak the UI with firmware revisions. Size wize the M1Pro is far smaller, far more pocketable. We are speaking about completely different levels of quality between the Sony and SoundAware but then they're different prices.
Soundwise it also has a warm liquid like presentation. Detail levels are superb despite that warmth but micro-details are just not up to the levels of the WM1Z. Currently both units exhibit a polite presentation to their high frequencies so you won't encounter harshness but the mids of the WM1Z are still richer and more emotive. Soundstage is about the same in width but not quite as layered in depth. In the same way that the WM1Z has the same level of detail retrieval as the WM1A but in a thicker sounding package, the M1Pro has an almost as resolute but even more rounded presentation than the WM1Z. Where the Soundaware really excels is as a line-level source/transport as the output is extremely clean and musical and to that extent it seems even cleaner than using the WM1Z as a line-out.
As a source for the Shure KSE1500 I was hoping that the WM1Z would be a beautiful pairing but possibly because it's not burnt-in properly it just sounds a little flat compared to some other sources. I know few people will hear it but the M1Pro really does excel with the KSE1500, which (for my preferences) can be a little harsh and unforgiving with certain other sources. It's size as a nice stack also helps here and because of that I can't see myself using the WM1Z with the KSE1500 as it will just be too unwieldy even if the sound improves overtime.

Questyle QP1r I absolutely hate the scrollwheel on this unit. Considering the level being pitched at the choice of mechanism here is diabolical but there you go. The other thing I do not like is the recessed micro-USB socket. Internal memory is 32Gb but there are Dual MicroSD slots. The UI is quite nice, clean does the job and build quality (bar the wheel) is excellent.
Sound wise, this is an interesting comparison as this is where I feel personal preference come into play. Compared to the WM1Z the Questyle is not as warm sounding and has a slightly more analytical presentation with less weight thus more air. In that respect it occaisionally seems faster than the WM1Z. Despite my saying that the WM1Z doesn't lack detail, with the QP1r it's easier to pinpoint certain instruments because of that perceived clarity. If you're less into a sweet presentation and more into separation and pure clarity, I can see the QP1r being more appealing. Bass isn't thin by any means, it's just tight, controlled and fast but still, less in terms of volume, compared to the WM1Z. Mids aren't conveyed as emotionally as with the WM1Z but they are clear, distinct and equally front. The usual pre-burn-in story with the highs which are wonderfully balanced on the QP1r. Soundstage is about equally wide and there is good depth to its presentation while lacking some of the weight of the WM1Z.
So for the most part I preferred the LPG with my headphones to the QP1r. The same remains true here with my preferring the WM1Z with the majority of headphones I've compared. IEMs is a different story and what I've found is that with particularly denser sounding IEMs I do prefer the QP1r. Initially I had the JH Audio Layla paired with the WM1Z; with the pots turned down to the 9pm position the Laylas have the largest soundstage and depth of any IEM I own. Paired with the WM1Z it made for the most 'out of the head' synergy I've had from the Laylas. Now the Laylas are/were tuned for use with A&K DAPs which as has been pointed out, a different kind of tuning to the WM1Z, the Laylas are a very full sounding IEM compared to others and paired with the WM1Z it can just sound a little heavy. It's not outright bad but there's a slight lack lightness and separation and the thing which suffers the most are the mids which lack some clarity. Even with the bass pots turned down the 4xlow drivers seemingly receiving far more emphasis than the 4xhighs. For very large symphonic pieces, despite the large soundstage, it can sound a bit congested and here the QP1r's more airy presentation makes for a far stronger pairing.

 

[SabreToothBunny]

Headphone/IEM pairings

For the most part, I think this is where preference is important. I'll have to admit I haven't tried and compared every combination of what I own because it would take too long and I have little appetite to try this simply for curiousity's sake but nothing has paired outright badly with the WM1Z. If you're all about separation and layering then the WM1Z provides that in buckets even with heavier sounding headphones/IEMs but for me, a few dense IEMs/headphones benefit from a lighter source to ease some of that overall heft and I suspect the WM1A may pair better in that respect unless a dense presentation is your preference because for these select few, I find myself preferring the QP1r as a source. So of what I have, things I think would pair better with a lighter source are the JH Audio Layla, JH Audio Angie, Earsonic Velvets and Sennheiser HD700.
That said the one 'dense' sounding IEM which I do think works well is Final Audio Design's Lab 1. This pairing is not the last word in resolution but it's an unusual, atmospheric sounding IEM and there's something particularly alluring in the rich presentation of the mids specifically with vocal music. It is quite breathtaking and slightly magical.

As expected my dedicated desktop headphones don't fair so well. Hifiman HE1000 and Sennheiser HD800 really require better pairings and more power. The HD800 was driven better than I expected but... it's not the best pairing... but then the HD800 is the 'fusspot' of the headphone world. HE1000 even if there were more power on tap requires a far more energetic source due to its laid back presentation and frankly sounds a little boring to me. To this end, again, the HE1000 actually pairs far better with the QP1r. The Abyss AB-1266 is simply a no... but then I didn't expect anything less. Even by nature of its design it's not a headphone you'd want to take anywhere and the only way to listen to it, due to its fit, is in a similar stance to having a gun to your head ie. don't move.
I don't want to speculate about headphones I don't yet own but I'd be very curious as to how the Focal Utopia pairs with the WM1Z given it is one of the few easy to drive proper summit-fi fullsize headphones available and I think the signature would be a good match.

Headphones and IEMs which pair fine with the WM1Z as they do with anything else are the Grado PS500, and Flare Audio R2Pro. I don't think they quite have the resolution to show the benefits of the increased quality of source. The Grado PS500 pairs nicely, wider sounding than with the LPG and very rich presentation, I'd be curious how the PS1000(e) pairs as that is a clear improvement over the PS500(e) series while retaining the same visceral and musical presentation.
The one oddball headphone here is the Audeze Sine which though sounding OK pairs far better with sources with emphasis in the lower frequencies. This may well be due to it's low range stopping at 30Hz but it sounds a bit flat with the WM1Z while completely excelling with one particular mid-fi source I have.

So where there is a particularly nice synergy I have these headphones/IEMs on rotation; Like the Lab 1 (above), if the signature is able to convey rich mids, it makes for a pretty good pairing. For the most part easier to drive planars benefit from the wider soundstage and headphones/IEMs which are clear, slightly V-Shaped while retaining good mid presentation pair particularly nicely.
The dynamic Fostex TH900 is often described as being slightly V-shaped. Mine's a recabled V1 for starters but even so I've never found the mids to be recessed, more the lows and highs to be emphasized. It pairs very well with a heap of power available. It is the widest sounding closed headphone I own or have yet heard, presentation is strong with some serious meat in the low frequencies and a nice richness to the mids. Treble energy is reigned back a bit which does help for some clarity in the mids. There is very little between this pairing and even a good dedicated amp setup.
The Audeze LCD-X and Kennerton Odin planars are particularly nice with plenty of overhead and a very full sound. The Odin is my current favourite fullsize headphone with the WM1Z edging out the LCD-X because of the slightly wider soundstage, more clarity and peceptably textured lows.
IEM wise it just happens that my two other favourie IEMs pairings happen to be by Rhapsodio ie. the Galaxy (V1) and Solar IEMs. The Galaxy is a single dynamic driver with a monitor like presentation. Due to the WM1Z's warmth, the Galaxy maintains it's detail retrieval without sounding over-clinical. The overall response is pretty flat but mids are particularly sweet sounding with this pairing with far more speed and clarity than the Lab 1.
The Solars are a more musical, slightly V-shaped, fun presentation... in a way similar to the Fostex TH900 in that respect. For everything I consider a short-coming with the Layla pairing, I consider the Solar to do right while still retaining a nice layering in the low frequencies with enough clarity to not sound congested.

One last thing about 'pairings'. The amp module in the WM1Z is fine and there's little reason to add an amp into the line unless it's a must; more power or tuning for a particular headphone. To that end the Fostex HP-V1 does provide a slightly richer mid presentation with the TH900 than the WM1Z.
Purely out of curiosty I put the WM1Z into my Woo Audio WA8; if you get the opportunity to try this I would highly recommend it as it makes for an impressively rich, colourful and musical combination... albeit being a 'transportable' setup more in terms of description than any practicality.

Overall, looking for a pure music player and craving a detailed but still warm sound, the WM1Z is about as close a completely portable analog sounding, all-in-one package (with as little compromise compared to a good desktop setup) as I've ever encountered. Extremely impressive and I look forward to finding out what the fully burnt balanced output will bring to the table.