SONY NW-WM1Z / WM1A
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Sep 4, 2018 at 8:25 AM Post #23,296 of 45,723
So if you felt the Sony was not strong enough to drive two 80 ohms headphones, should be even more noticeable with the 250 ohms DT990...

Did you try in balanced mode ?
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 9:21 AM Post #23,298 of 45,723
wm1a owners , do you perceive any sound changes (and if so what kind?) when moving from Low Gain to High Gain on the balanced port ?

i feel like there is a change in sound between those 2 Gain settings , not sure if it's just personal bias due to High gain being well more loud....
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:14 AM Post #23,299 of 45,723
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:17 AM Post #23,300 of 45,723
The MDR-Z1R must be slightly easier to drive than the Z7 even Form SE, but for better results balanced is the way to go
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:38 AM Post #23,301 of 45,723
wm1a owners , do you perceive any sound changes (and if so what kind?) when moving from Low Gain to High Gain on the balanced port ?

i feel like there is a change in sound between those 2 Gain settings , not sure if it's just personal bias due to High gain being well more loud....

There is a difference. More energy. Could be because of the extra current to the iems. Because of that the dynamics (is that the correct word?) seems to be better.

And definitely more louder. I use iems mostly and have to turn down the volume when on high gain. The battery lasting the same time though on both the gain modes. Mostly I use low gain with iems

I also upgraded to a Premium plus K-Mod (from Music Sanctuary) and for a week I had both the modded and unmodded WM1a. I didn't do a A/B test, but used the same audio tracks and used the same cable and the same iem to compare both.

The unmodded one and the modded one is equally relishable. So those that have unmodded wm1a need not feel that they've missed out any. It is just two different takes on the sound signature. There would be some that would prefer one and not like the other one.

Especially after the 400 hour mark, the unmodded WM1A started getting into its groove. Such addictive sweetness.

Now to the Premium plus modded Wm1a:

The punch and impact in the low end is improved. It doesn't boost it nor increase the quantity, but just has the extra impact. It extends slightly more too. Compared to it, the unmodded seems to have a soft, gentle bass.

The vocals don't sound thin nor lean. And the midrange is neither forward nor recessed. The vocals have good body.

The treble extends much better than the unmodded one. Also there's a lively sparkle without it getting too bright in the top. unmodded treble is a little smooth by comparison. Some may prefer it that way.

For those of you that have heard DX200, the difference in sound going from unmodded to modded is like going form DX200 + AMP4 to DX200 + AMP4S. Both are equally relishable.
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 11:53 AM Post #23,302 of 45,723
So if you felt the Sony was not strong enough to drive two 80 ohms headphones, should be even more noticeable with the 250 ohms DT990...

Did you try in balanced mode ?

My LCD2C 70 ohms sounded hollow with unbalanced and high gain with at 100 volume. It was loud enough but just doesn't sound right.

My Eikon 300 ohms is lively with balance and high gain with volume at 75-80 and DC Phase on. Not lacking compare with my Massdrop LCX but the battery drain is quite noticeable.

Itching to get the TA-ZH1ES. Less time with IEMs as I spend less time commuting to work and more time at home with full size cans.
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 12:05 PM Post #23,303 of 45,723
Oh my, so happy now :)


IMG_0795.jpg
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 12:28 PM Post #23,305 of 45,723
I had a pair of Sony noise canceling headphones. Wish I had them to test the high gain capabilities of the Walkman

They had a peculiarity, the impedance rose to 150 ohm when the NC circuit was off, but dropped to 32 ohm if the NC was turned on. Therefore these tended to sound hollow thus the need of having the NC always on
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 12:59 PM Post #23,306 of 45,723
Thank you Sony for making such wonderful device. Even though my unit is fresh out of box and using SE output it is still miles ahead of my previous daps.


IMG_0802.jpg
 
Sep 4, 2018 at 1:12 PM Post #23,308 of 45,723
Sep 4, 2018 at 2:18 PM Post #23,310 of 45,723
Wondering what is sony brewing for the Walkman next year
Seeing the trend ? The next Walkman would be priced 2.5X the price of the DMP-Z1 LOL!

Wm1Z was $3,200. The DMP-Z1 is $8000, and that is 2.5X multiplier.

The next Walkman will be $20,000 as you would follow this trend of $8,000 and apply the 2.5X multiplier
 
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