[denis1976]

You already had it. It depends on what you look for from the players. There are trade offs as it is all portable player, so you can not have it all. Hugo 2 is a stand alone and not a DAP...so it is a little unfair to compare. You will need a transport to make Hugo sing

soundstage and clarity, sp2k is easily the best at the moment....tonal balances and timbres density/fidelity is WM1Z strength. Beside the differences in the main signatures, the Wm1Z would be in a warmer and more musical signature Where as SP2K is I to clarity, transparency and Neutral

If you talking about the SS or the OB version you may by right, the CU version is even more dense and musical than the 1Z, the SP2000CU is the best player I ever heard, the 1Z is the second, both are top DAPs

 

[Whitigir]

If you talking about the SS or the OB version you may by right, the CU version is even more dense and musical than the 1Z, the SP2000CU is the best player I ever heard, the 1Z is the second, both are top DAPs

True that, I speaks for OB only, I don’t even hear the SS yet , neither the Cu

 

[denis1976]

And the nw-wm1A having more bass than the sp2000 not a chance, at least the CU version, now the 1Z is without a doubt a Dap that was made to last, when it was released it was much ahead of all others and after 3 years or more still stand has one of the best daps ever, this is not for everyone, Sony Rocks

 

[nc8000]

Apart from the fact that there would be no way I could afford a SP2000 I would not buy something based on the 2.5mm balanced jack and with at the most 8 hours play time per charge

 

[siruspan]

And the nw-wm1A having more bass than the sp2000 not a chance, at least the CU version, now the 1Z is without a doubt a Dap that was made to last, when it was released it was much ahead of all others and after 3 years or more still stand has one of the best daps ever, this is not for everyone, Sony Rocks

I've had SP2000 copper demo unit borrowed for 2 weeks.

Here's next to my WM1A and DX160


Out of the three the WM1A had the most bass and SP2000 the least, nevertheless it didn't stop him to outclass both of them in every category. The biggest soundstage, the most natural, the most resolving, efortless and liquid, very holographic and three dimensional sound.

I've read in the SP2000 thread that users reported quite dramatic changes in sound with different software versions. I can't comment on that as I tested using only 1.16 version. You can't go back after the update so its hard to verify.

 

[Vitaly2017]

I've had SP2000 copper demo unit borrowed for 2 weeks.

Here's next to my WM1A and DX160


Out of the three the WM1A had the most bass and SP2000 the least, nevertheless it didn't stop him to outclass both of them in every category. The biggest soundstage, the most natural, the most resolving, efortless and liquid, very holographic and three dimensional sound.

I've read in the SP2000 thread that users reported quite dramatic changes in sound with different software versions. I can't comment on that as I tested using only 1.16 version. You can't go back after the update so its hard to verify.

My impressions are exactly the same as yours!
Sp2k is one smooth natural beast very silky sound

 

[524419]

True that, I speaks for OB only, I don’t even hear the SS yet , neither the Cu

What Caps did you use to replace the stock 1A ones? Can you give a quick breakdown please..

 

[Whitigir]

I agree about the bass claims as it is exactly what I hear.

 

[gazzington]

I would say wm1z and sp2k is a more fair fight. Still trying to work out which one I like best

 

[Vitaly2017]

I would say wm1z and sp2k is a more fair fight. Still trying to work out which one I like best

It is also a 2.5 vs 4.4.
What are A&K waiting for ?

 

[Whitigir]

What Caps did you use to replace the stock 1A ones? Can you give a quick breakdown please..

Defintely can !

 

[gazzington]

It is also a 2.5 vs 4.4.
What are A&K waiting for ?

That's the think, I much prefer the 4.4. wm1z is not beaten by the sp2k. The sp2k is a seriously good dap though

 

[denis1976]

I've had SP2000 copper demo unit borrowed for 2 weeks.

Here's next to my WM1A and DX160


Out of the three the WM1A had the most bass and SP2000 the least, nevertheless it didn't stop him to outclass both of them in every category. The biggest soundstage, the most natural, the most resolving, efortless and liquid, very holographic and three dimensional sound.

I've read in the SP2000 thread that users reported quite dramatic changes in sound with different software versions. I can't comment on that as I tested using only 1.16 version. You can't go back after the update so its hard to verify.

Maybe the demo unit was with some problem, the 1Z has more bass than the 1A in quantity and quality, the SP2000CU outclasses the 1Z so take your conclusions...the 1z with 3.01 firmware the SP2000CU with 1.19, with campfire Atlas

 

[iamdman]

Keep in mind that you'll pay $150 sales tax for that on eBay. Amazon UK with 3 day shipping is still a better deal.

I don’t see that price in amazon UK site. Looks it was on sale or something?

 

[bflat]

Besides sound there are major differences with Sony and AK

1) 2.5mm versus 4.4mm - really wish AK would standardize since 4.4mm also supports line out with proper grounding instead of the hacked 2.5mm + 3.5mm ground work around.

2) AK streams wirelessly. Sony needs another streaming device that can stream and also output LDAC or Apt-X HD.

3) Sony receives BT, AK does not.

4) Sony works as a USB DAC without needing to charge (option to turn on or off). AK USB DAC requires charging so doesn't work with most hand held devices. Have to use optical out instead for hand held devices like Chord Mojo.

5) AK supports single playlists across both internal and SD card memory. Sony can only support playlists in the respective physical storage locations and you can't edit playlists on the SD Card (real head scratcher on this).

6) Sony has 2-3x the battery life of AK, but AK has more power.

7) AK has optical out. Sony only has WM-Port out.

8) Sony uses proprietary WM-Port. New ZX-500 series has USB C but no USB DAC or BT receive functionality. In fact, ZX-500 is more like AK.

9) Sony supports Album Artists sorting. AK does not and folder view is no substitute since you have 2 storage locations. I've asked AK for 5 years to add this. I mean how hard could it be?

10) AK support is slow but Sony support is non-existent (outside of warranty issues) and depends on authorized 3rd parties. However, Sony spare parts are generally easy to find.

I was an AK user for 3 generations of AK240 to AK380 to SP1000. Differences #1, 3, 4, 6, and 9 were enough for me to switch to Sony.