Ok, time to spend some quality time to analyze the Wm1Z with new firmware. Yes, definitely the layering and separations has improved as the transparency level of the whole spectrum has became more crisp and clear. The 1Z appears to be even more neutral than it was with me since before 2.0 firmware.
Soundstage has became wider due to the separation and layering performances which has improved, and also the depth of staging is more pronounced. If before, the depth of stage was deep, and the width was more narrowed. This time, the Depth seems remain the same, but as the transparency and crispness has been improved, together with the wider soundstage, the depth also seems to be improved, but overall I think the depth stays the same. It is just that a lot has been cleared up, the improved of the depth come from the more accurate positioning of the instruments, which comes from the clearer imagines of the whole presentation and together with the Dynamic capability of 1Z, the imagines and cues of positioning is more vivid.
If before all this, the 1Z was slightly warm and approaching Neutral, this time it is ever closer to being Neutral, but the Bass slam is still Authentic, Powerful, the sub bass and deep bass rumbles remains, the mid bass is cleaned up being more dense, punchy, tighter.
How come ? Well, what I observed is mainly the more snappy and speedy mid spectrum and the tightened mid bass.
The mid spectrum used to feel a little sleepy before. Now, Overall speed of the mid spectrum seems to be faster, and awoken, energized. These 2 areas really did clean up the air and space presentations to bring us the improvements, better soundstage, layering, separations.
Trebles, perhap it still remains what it once was, but they cleaned up and a bit more speed did really improve and results into a more airy presentation in trebles tonality and details.
Vocal is still sweet, intimidating, full of emotion
All in all, my favorite in this firmware is that it really did bring more transparency And crispness into the 1Z signature over all. That sub-bass rumbles and explosive mid bass !!! An awesome presentation of bass signature here.
There have been 2 Players, that totally transformed with firmware upgrades, and previously it was Opus 3. However, it wasn’t this obvious and dramatic like the 1Z and 2.0.
Let me just put it in a simple way Wm1z used to be a middle aged romantic gentleman. The 2.0 transformed the 1Z into a younger version of this gentleman. Still gentle, romantic, but more energetic and fun!
**Now, What is that your 1A feel like**
If the 1A was speedy and faster before 2.0, and if the 1Z was the one aimed on this firmware, then how would the 1A be affected ? More airy ? More analytical ? Boring ? Or did it get more resolving with better details
, but boy oh boy. On carefully crafted modern recordings, the resolution & presence is something else.
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