Hi there,
Just to add my 2€ to the range of comments here (I saw you are in Spain)
Well, I have owned both WM1Z and LPGT.
I've heard the SP1000 for a short demo at CanJam. It sounded good but didn't blow me away at first listen.
But then, as I said, it was only a short demo in a non-ideal listening environment, so I'll focus on the WM1Z and LPGT with which I have a lot of experience.
There are some factors that you might wish to consider before making this decision.
1) With the WM1Z, if you read around this thread, and the companion thread about modding the WM1Z, you will find there has been a LOT of information posted about hardware modifications (mods) that can be done to the WM1A or WM1Z.
There are different levels of hardware mods, ranging from upgrading some of the internal wires, to swapping (and even adding) capacitors, etc.
These mods can cost from a relatively small amount, up to several hundred pounds.
A pretty heavily modified WM1A can, from reports here, very much exceed the performance of the WM1Z.
A heavily modified WM1Z can approach the level of Sony's flagship desktop/transportable DMP-1Z ($7k or so!).
The best value (and we're talking EXTREMELY good value for money) option seems to be to get a new or used WM1A and then have it modded with a medium to heavy level of hardware mods.
Also, with such mods, you have the chance to customise the sound signature of the DAP to your preferred signature.
Choices of wire materials and capacitors can make it sound more organic and warm, or more reference or bright, etc.
There's always a risk that something could go wrong, but if you go to a recommended modded, those risks are low, and I imagine they'd do everything they can to help you in the event of repairs being required etc. Only you can decide if that's a risk you're willing to take.
I personally think that for the potential upside, balanced against the level of risk (including the likelihood of that risk event occurring), it IS a decision worth considering.
2) Then, on top of that, you will again find in these two Head-Fi threads people posting firmware mods.
They are mostly ones that can be easily added with little to no risk onto the WM1Z and can just be swapped back easily to the Sony official ones if you wish.
They all offer different kinds of sound signatures, so again the key here is the ability to heavily customise the DAP to your personal preferences.
3) of course, on top of that, both LPGT and WM1Z offer the ability to digitally alter your DAP's sound.
Sony has an outstanding range of 'effects', and the LPGT has legendary PMEQ (advanced graphic equaliser) function.
Sony has it's S-Master stuff and sophisticated digital processing.
LPGT has discrete hardware/power sections for different functions, including a Blackfin chip (see their thread for more info - I'm no expert on this stuff, but I just know it sounds great!). Anyone interested should take a look at the hardware architecture for the LPGT, it's something that I haven't seen elsewhere.
4) Finally, if you're not interested in any mods, whether FW or hardware, then here's my comparison of the two players.
They are both built like a tank, but the LPGT is significantly smaller and lighter (still weighty in the hand, but less of a gold brick than the WM1Z).
I haven't held a WM1A, but I imagine it would be more similar in weight to an LPGT.
If you like using digital effects to modify the sound signature, Sony has a comprehensive range.
I never really explored those options on the LPGT, but I'd imagine it has some too, and based on it's other functions and performance, I'd imagine they're excellent too.
Regarding appearance, this is going to be even more subjective to most of us than all the other things I suppose
Personally, I love gold when it's classy and understated (not too shiny and bling-like). I find the LPGT pretty unappealing in appearance, only the gold volume wheel was good for me. However, when I take the case of the WM1Z, and gaze upon it on all it's naked glory, it's just an object of utter beauty to me
Regarding battery life, I can't remember what it is for the LPGT, but based on my usage, I'm guessing a more normal 7-10 hours.
With these Sony DAPs, I don't know how they do what no one else in the market seems to be able/willing to do, but they last for crazy amounts of hours (22-32 hours?).
Regarding UI and speed.
Sony has a fast and polished UI of course, being a huge company with money to throw at such development.
I've had some issues with album art not appearing (which I never had an issue with on the LPGT).
However, there's various posts on here about how to resolve it (and in another related thread helping people with any such issues); I've just been too busy to read and do it.
Sony start up takes.. I don't know how long, but it seems like 2-3 minutes, as it says 'creating database' whenever it's powered on.
LPGT start up (from powering on) is the stuff of legend. They've developed their own OS, and you can be playing files in 2 - 5 seconds from powering on
Regarding sound, I have to say I think the LPGT sounds better out of the box than the WM1Z.
Meaning if I had to choose one of the other based solely on its default sound signature, with no hardware mods, FW mods or DSP/EQ tweaking, then I felt the LPGT was just better, and a fair amount better too.
With the LPGT, it just made every IEM I plugged into it (at any price) sound like it was one tier better.
So a midrange one sounded more like TOTL, cheaper one sounded more like mid-range, etc.
Also, it just did it in an effortlessly natural way. Just big holographic soundstage and separation, superb layering and imaging, terrific detail levels and a sound signature that's somehow addictively musical and engaging but without excessively colouring the sound signature in any way. Really, it's just astonishing.
So you'd have to weigh up all these various factors to make a decision.
I've seen places doing offers on the LPGT (I think I saw one well known website selling it at around $2500?).
I think if you're open to the idea of modding FW or hardware, then based on all my reading thus far, I suspect the WM1Z has the ability to scale higher than the LPGT.
And if you get a new or used WM1A and have that modded, then you can get a similar result for a MUCH lower cost
Well, that's my thoughts. I know you weren't initially considering the LPGT, but it's what I have experience with, plus I've seen it on sale at prices around your budget range, so I felt these comparisons might be worth posting. And of course if they can help anyone else on here, then great!
Hope you (and anyone else) found this helpful. All constructive questions/comments welcome
