[newworld666]

I exchanged some PMs with @Nayparm he has several options. Including preserving both 3.5 and 4.4 (upgraded with better cables) as I asked him if I can preserve 3.5 output as I use it from time to time

Same question here .... I need to keep the 3.5mm output too.. as I have no issue with BT too.
But it seems he is "overbooked" to take new orders .... I am not in a hurry and waiting, he gets some more time.

 

[Amber Rain]

Yes, it seems able to do DSD rather nice? It’s funny as you would think there would be greater DSD and FLAC support for the Mac. I mean yes any VLC player or Movie software will work, but I have yet to come across many Mac software players that do as well as Foobar2000 for the PC. Interestingly enough Foobar does make a Foobar2000 for the Mac, but it’s nothing like the PC version as far as control. There is Amarra too, of course. There are a couple more too, I still need to try, but I may not as Colibri seems to work well?

https://www.sonicstudio.com/amarra/products.php

I've just downloaded and used the Sony Hi-Res Audio Player on my Mac to play DSD files! Worked fine, need a USB DAC linked up to the Mac to make it work. I used my WM1A, which is kinda pointless as I have all my SACDs on the WM1A. I'll try it with my proper amp another time, but at least it's another option for Mac owners.

Couldn't figure out how to import all my SACDs, had o play an album at a time (there is a facility to create a playlist).

 

[nc8000]

I've just downloaded and used the Sony Hi-Res Audio Player on my Mac to play DSD files! Worked fine, need a USB DAC linked up to the Mac to make it work. I used my WM1A, which is kinda pointless as I have all my SACDs on the WM1A. I'll try it with my proper amp another time, but at least it's another option for Mac owners.

Couldn't figure out how to import all my SACDs, had o play an album at a time (there is a facility to create a playlist).

You’ll need special hardware to rip dvd’s, a Mac or PC can’t do that

 

[Amber Rain]

You’ll need special hardware to rip dvd’s, a Mac or PC can’t do that

Yes, sorry, should have fully explained... play my dsd/dsf files on a Mac (ripped / downloaded from wherever).

 

[Lookout57]

You’ll need special hardware to rip dvd’s, a Mac or PC can’t do that

I rip my SACDs using my OPPO BDP-103 Blu-Ray player. There are numerous Blu-Ray DVD players that can play SACDs that you can use. Check out https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/forum/10-software/ for more options.

 

[Lookout57]

Yes, sorry, should have fully explained... play my dsd/dsf files on a Mac (ripped / downloaded from wherever).

I use https://audirvana.com to play all my media (AIFF, FLAC and DSF) on my Mac mini.

 

[nc8000]

I rip my SACDs using my OPPO BDP-103 Blu-Ray player. There are numerous Blu-Ray DVD players that can play SACDs that you can use. Check out https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/forum/10-software/ for more options.

yes special hardware and not the Mac or PC

 

[gerelmx1986]

yes special hardware and not the Mac or PC

I use pioneer BDP-170

 

[MrWalkman]

A tip for someone who decides to give a try to the new sound of the WM1A/WM1Z mods - expect a different sound, and give it a chance by listening to more than just one song.

For example, the soundstage, while wide and tall, it's more at the level of your head, and not so much in front of you - at least this is my experience. I personally think this is one of the things which makes the sound more realistic.

Anyway, long story short, be open-minded. Open-mindness is always good, it's something which can enable you to discover new things that you may like

 

[WAmadeusM]

Because EMI emission from an LCD panel and battery consumption is ALSO a real thing. To eliminate flickering in LCD the accepted PWM frequencies is at 3kHz to fully eliminate flickering that can be perceived by humans. Anything that pulses/cycles at such a higher frequency generates noise that are harder to block out - that's an even less desirable effect for a DAP. Also a higher frequency/refresh rate sucks more battery for a device that isn't designed to be stared at unlike a phone. The only reason modders or reviewers notices screen flickering is because during the review process they spend hours playing/starring at the screen, so essentially it's a self-selection bias that can easily be binned in the "even less than 1%" user bracket that don't need fixing because the undesirable side effects of fixing it for that minority is going to cause more inconveniences for the majority.

Finally, these premium devices sell a lot less units than smartphones, so they subscribe to the "more profit per unit, but less unit sold" model of business to stay afloat because the market size is several factors smaller. Using smartphone production/pricing criteria to judge them is simply wrong to begin with.



If that's the case then it's going to be somewhere between 1kHz and 2.6kHz, it's not going to be something you can record unless you have specialise equipment.
If that's the case then the issue is definitely WAY overblown for a DAP.

was going to let this one go....but the claim you need "specialised equipment" is simply factually wrong.

And anyone that uses the phrases about someone else's concerns as 'self selecting bias' or should be 'binned' should just be just root and branched.....

so for anyone that is interested - this is a very good short description of the issue - by a woman - so an utter novelty for this thread.....showing the PWM effect on recent phones without any magic equipment, and a bit of the engineering behind it....and how some companies are responding by including options (optional DC dimming).

You don't need to stare a the screen for hours. The effect is pretty much instantaneous.



you can see plain old daytime realtime flicker at 2.50 Great Description of Screen PWM flicker and solutions

and yes this is a 'minority' issue - but given the lengths that were gone to - to engineer the WM1s in the first place - and the fact they are are still being made - surely there would be an interest withing the Sony Walkman team - to investigate what is - as @MrWalkman says - is a software option issue.

An interest, especially, to improve such a flagship 'synonymous' product...like a gold plated Walkman. [A&Ks direct rep response to issue for flagship issues on headfi has been illuminating]

Anyways....it's at least diverting to break up the palindrome of thought that "its' great" .... "no....I can say it's great better than you"....now hang on a minute....

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

Did some microsd card subjective sound quality review in the zx507 thread, do check it out if you have yet to.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-sony-nw-zx500.914486/page-320#post-15850503

 

[nanaholic]

was going to let this one go....but the claim you need "specialised equipment" is simply factually wrong.

It isn't.

Check out the FULL answer before jumping the gun.

Sonywalkmanuser said:
Tried slow motion 960fps video recording on my Xperia 1. Still no visible flickers on my ZX507 screen at 0% brightness.

If that's the case then it's going to be somewhere between 1kHz and 2.6kHz, it's not going to be something you can record unless you have specialise equipment.
If that's the case then the issue is definitely WAY overblown for a DAP.

Sonywalkmanuser said he couldn't capture ZX507 flickering using 960FPS on his Sony smartphone. So in order to capture flickering on the ZX507, he'll need specialise equipment because it is obviously flickering at a rate that is above 960FPS, in which case not many consumer equipment is able to do so unless you have an expensive high speed camera setup - which is specialise equipment.

I'll leave the rest of your post because you obviously didn't read nor digest any of it.

 

[gerelmx1986]

Did some microsd card subjective sound quality review in the zx507 thread, do check it out if you have yet to.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-sony-nw-zx500.914486/page-320#post-15850503

I heard a difference between sandisk and samsung, I like both, but prefer sandisk

 

[MrLocoLuciano]

Just received IBasso DX220 MAX, I'll take some time to compare it to my Sony WM1A (1Z WM1A/Z++) NP Audio Mod.
So far I like what I'm earing !

 

[Redcarmoose]

Well...........just went over to 1A/1Z++ as I want to make sure I’m not missing anything using 1A/1Z+ exclusively? The 1.4 edition was also something I haven’t tried. Played around with the AI enhancement on the few MP3s I have..........tried AI on some 24bit files I use. The reduction of top and bottom soundstage is interesting none the less. And yes, 1A/1Z++ has a detailed clarity, which may come from the concentrated imaging?

Probably what’s fascinating is how the soundstage on the two firmwares is so absolutely different. Much personal success with either might depend on both IEMs/headphones and personal goals.

Also maybe it’s just me, but 1A/1Z++ seemed to have slightly less bass than 1A/1Z+? I’m using a U region 1Z stock switched to “J” region.

The model switcher was a cool feature though the 1A model switch from the units stock model was again another reduction in bass.

So after doing the return to stock return program I then put back the original first edition of MrWalkmans 1A/Z+ 3.02. Normally I will put regular Sony 3.02 first on the return but this time I didn’t, and it sounds great as always.

It’s good to be home again. Though I have to say there is no right or wrong with this stuff. Thank you MrWalkman for all the choices!

Something like the vocals here and soundstage found here are an example I’m back with the right firmware.