[Gamerlingual]

The 7506 is kind of outdated, being around since 1983 - that isn't to say they're bad, just superceded...

FWIW, the MDR-V6 is exactly the same headphone, just without the "Professional" stickers on, and - with a lower sticker price

Oh. Good to know. I’ll look at that instead. How is the audio quality tho? Mediocre with the 1A and 1Z?

 

[Mfalcon]

Really? Cause other online reviews I'm reading say the MDR-z1rs heat up just like every other closed back headphone even though Sony claims they don't as much. I'm not quite sure who to believe. I do know my ears heat up quicker than others, which is why I'm gravitating towards the HD800S's. I do have iems, the SE846s. I do like them, but wanted to invest in some hdphs. So, another noobie question: Can the MDR-Z1r's sound good right off the WM1A without using a headphone amp?

I will second what some are saying here. I have a 1Z, Z1R and HD800S. The z1r are driven effortlessly but the 1Z. The HD800S need more juice and are very different sounding from a higher powered desktop vs the 1Z. I use a 300b amp and the sim audio moon neo 430a. I think you need atleast 2w to drive the HD800S properly. Otherwise your bass response sucks and the tonal balance throughout is way off. It’s like taking a Lamborghini around the neighborhood.

 

[Gamerlingual]

According to this, there are later models surpassing it with just updated pads and wires but essentially the same headphones?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6

 

[Gamerlingual]

So the cable isn’t detachable and it’s 10 Feet long. Better just stick to my 1AM2

 

[JerryHead]

I will second what some are saying here. I have a 1Z, Z1R and HD800S. The z1r are driven effortlessly but the 1Z. The HD800S need more juice and are very different sounding from a higher powered desktop vs the 1Z. I use a 300b amp and the sim audio moon neo 430a. I think you need atleast 2w to drive the HD800S properly. Otherwise your bass response sucks and the tonal balance throughout is way off. It’s like taking a Lamborghini around the neighborhood.

I see, soo, you're saying the WM1A alone won't be sufficient to power the HD800s, but probably the TA-zh1es would?

 

[Ravenous]

So, I'm wondering why are their nearly no reviews of the 1A and 1Z compared to other players like the A&K 380/SP1000? I find reviews for the top A&K players all over youtube and tons of reviews for the product pages of A&K players on here, yet their are practically no reviews on youtube for these players and no product page for these players on headfi.

 

[Duncan]

According to this, there are later models surpassing it with just updated pads and wires but essentially the same headphones?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6

That wiki page isn't strictly true, the V600 was terrible, and not a stable mate

 

[Krutsch]

I wouldn't go as far as to say "wrecking" the sound signature, I personally didn't care for it and there are multiple other regions that support the BT remote; J, CN, CA, etc. Best thing to do is try and see which you prefer best, even if the region does not support the BT remote you can try and always set the player to another later on.

Many have settled on region J so should be a safe bet and the remote is supported

Q-6

That's where I landed... the tool was easy to use and I switched to region J. Now the listening tests can begin with the new Remote Commander.

All in, that was an expensive upgrade for my office rig, including accessories, but I am pleased with the result:

 

[Layman1]

It was £41 including shipping - thankfully I got it in country so saved on customs etc.

Agreed though, is a very cool little remote

I too am in the UK, and have been thinking about getting one of these.
Was it a private trade, or are there more for sale? If so, would you be able to PM me a link?

 

[Layman1]

The HD800S need more juice and are very different sounding from a higher powered desktop vs the 1Z. I use a 300b amp and the sim audio moon neo 430a. I think you need atleast 2w to drive the HD800S properly. Otherwise your bass response sucks and the tonal balance throughout is way off. It’s like taking a Lamborghini around the neighborhood.

I get your analogy. Still, I have to say, if I had a Lamborghini, I would *totally* drive it all round the neighbourhood

 

[bana]

Those 2 are my favourite tunings and it is hard to chose as they bring different things to the table but I’m leaning towards Solis

+Solis

 

[mwhals]

So, I'm wondering why are their nearly no reviews of the 1A and 1Z compared to other players like the A&K 380/SP1000? I find reviews for the top A&K players all over youtube and tons of reviews for the product pages of A&K players on here, yet their are practically no reviews on youtube for these players and no product page for these players on headfi.

Twister6 reviews of top daps usually does a comparison of them to the WM1Z, so that is one way to get some flavor of how it compares.

 

[Duncan]

I too am in the UK, and have been thinking about getting one of these.
Was it a private trade, or are there more for sale? If so, would you be able to PM me a link?

Sorry, was a lucky spot on eBay

 

[Hinomotocho]

Thanks. That's actually why I'm returning the Shure SRH1840s, too neutral, too clinical, intended for studio work, as you describe. I think I'm going for the HD660S then. These are perhaps the best of both worlds. Easily powered by the 1A, not too neutral, as they're made for DAPs, but can also be brought out more fully by using a desktop headphone amp. And with the $ I save, I'll be closer to getting the TA-ZH1ES to make even better use of them. Sensitivity of the HD660S is close to the MDR-Z1R and the impedance is right in the middle (150) of the Z1R and the HD800S.

I have tried but have never considered Sennheiser because I require a closed back design, also if you have been around here for a few years the much loved HD650 seem to require a decent amount of power to sound their best.
I very briefly tried the HD660S because they were lower ohm and wanted to see what they sounded like - I was really impressed and although, like many headphones may sound better with more power, they sounded very good out of my less powered ZX300's 4.4mm output.
It would make sense to get the more easy to drive HD660s for straight up use with your WM1A, perhaps you could research if a higher end cable may bring benefits to the HD660s as a future upgrade as you are saving on the HD800.

 

[Ravenous]

Twister6 reviews of top daps usually does a comparison of them to the WM1Z, so that is one way to get some flavor of how it compares.

Thanks for the reponse! Didn't see any review for the Sony NW-WM1A there though.