SONY NW-WM1Z / WM1A

[musicday]

Is the Sony worth? How is the weight, can be out in the pocket and walk with?

people are saying it's really really really heavy lol

I know about the weight but what does it compare to in real life being a small package?
Sony 1Z is 465 gr and Chord Hugo is 400 gr but is bigger so more comfortable to Carry around, and better weight distribution.

 

[purk]

   
Maybe the premium priced WM1Z also comes with an extra luxury leather belt to hold up your pants for when it's in your pocket

 

I want a dent resistant chassis.  If I ever own the WM1Z, I would so afraid of dropping it. 

 

[Replicant187]

I know about the weight but what does it compare to in real life being a small package?
Sony 1Z is 465 gr and Chord Hugo is 400 gr but is bigger so more comfortable to Carry around, and better weight distribution.

you can't carry around the demo unit so who knows but my friend said it felt way way heavier than expected so just expect the heaviest DAP you'll be ok lol

 

[nc8000]

I'll never use it portable but the same way I'm using ZX2 and before that dap or pcdp plus amp combos which is packed in luggage and then used at the hotel for my +100 nights each year and as bed side rig at home

 

[Cecala]

For all the Sony os hype...all the youtube videos I've seen of its ui....it's the same speed as zx2

 
I raised this very point some pages ago although was told it was an earlier and not final software version, will wait and see.

   
My friend, I can personally guarantee you the 1Z only took 10 min longer to "Research & Develop" than the 1A did. And I'm also sure AK380 took no longer to R&D than the AK's before it, given each AK release happened within a 1 year window, yet each still got an unhealthy price hike...
 
As you already know, there is only 4 simple changes to the 1Z over 1A, I will now give you the play by play of what happened at Sony HQ between lead designer Hiroaki Sato and his helper disciple:
 
-R&D for Copper chassis: Disciple-" Oh noes Master, AK have an all copper dap". Hiroaki- "Oh yeah? We'll go all copper AND gold plate that ****". (But I'm sure they would have gone copper regardless of AK as it was the logical step from the ZX2 design ethos). 2 min "R&D" to switch out CNC bit for one to mill copper.
 
-R&D for Jack wiring: Disciple-"Um Master, what should we do with all this spare Kimber Kable we have lying around?". Hiroaki- *Thinks about strangling disciple with kimber kable, eventually says "We use it in the 1Z genius, while the 1A can use the same cable as ZX2." 2 min "R&D".
 
-R&D for Power supply capacitors: Disciple- "Master, we have these new FT caps from the lab". Hiroaki- "For 1A we partially use FT caps to help secure it's performance above ZX2, for 1A we'll use FT caps for the amps(4+4=8x FT caps), but for the power supply we use os-con caps from ZX2 . For 1Z we'll use FT caps for the amps and power supply both, which will give 1Z an edge over 1A. Disciple-"You are so wise Master, But which capacitors should we change?" Hiroaki- *Glares at disciple, "Idiot there are only 5 power supply capacitors, 5x FT caps for 1Z and 5x os-con caps for 1A. 2 min "R&D".
 
-R&D for Output resistors: Disciple-"Master you know how we use "fine sound" copper resistors in some of our AV receivers?(str-dn1070)" Hiroaki- *Slaps disciple, "Tell me that sooner you swine, we can use these on the 1Z amp's output." Disciple-*Cowers with hands above head "But which resistors do we change Master". Hiroaki-*Barely controlling the impulse to get out his Kendo stick and beat the crap out of disciple finally says "There are only 6 resistors total for single ended and balanced amp (2+4), so just change all 6 output resistors to "fine sound" resistors for the 1Z and have the 1A use 6 MELF resistors from the ZX2 instead. What I have to put up with ***..." 2 min "R&D"
 
The End
Based On a True Story (Probably) 
 
Total R&D Time and Cost of 1Z over 1A: <10 min, $5.65.
 
Thus there is nothing in 1Z that would take any significant time to develop over the 1A as the changes are straight forward component swaps for higher performance parts that do the same thing, and these 4 changes alone must be responsible for any difference one hears between 1Z and 1A. These component swaps are indeed enough to obviously change the sound, but I'm not prepared to pay through the nose for them. I have nothing against those that are willing to, in fact I'm envious of you (in a way). But I'm awesome.
 
 
Now for actual R&D, engineering the circuit which both daps share, engineering the new FT caps and engineering the new S Master HX, would all need serious R&D time and cost, I see two scenarios:
 
1. R&D costs of this venture are all accounted for in the price of 1A seeing as it makes use of all said developed tech, meaning the 1Z is just a cash cow (AK style).
2. R&D costs of this venture are only accounted for between combined pricing of 1Z and 1A, making the 1A excellent value given it uses all said developed tech while being priced below singular profitability level, relying on 1Z to make up the profit margin. (Obviously this could be happening in various amounts, eg, half the profit on 1Z could be to comfortably cover margins in conjunction with all profit from 1A, while second half of 1Z profit is pure profit., etc. Either way it would make 1A good value comparatively.

 
This is a believe it or not, a very accurate rendition of what actually happens in real life. If people believe for one second that men in white coats at Sony are busy scarring around labs looking through microscopes or working out the isotopic notation for the isotope carbon-14, then you are deluding yourself or you work for the trade and have a vested interest.
 
The truth is as pointed out already, the difference in parts amounts to absolutely no more than $10 (caps, resisters & Kimble). The remainder of that 2K is now leaning on the Copper block, Do I need to go on?
 
Kudos Trance, well done.

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

Btw, I've already explained that I have nothing against the 1Z, I only wanted to make sure that people understand that these very expensive daps from Sony or AK have artificially inflated prices that don't reflect the actual time or cost to develop, as such I previously compared them to "fine art" and paying a (big) premium for the very best a company has to offer, a notion to which I do not subscribe. The 1Z is the best dap Sony can possibly design, intentionally over priced to compete with other over priced daps like AK. While the 1A is a very slightly downgraded 1Z at a reasonable price point. That's all. I look forward to getting 1A myself, and envy those getting the 1Z. Capish

 

[Cecala]

  Btw, I've already explained that I have nothing against the 1Z, I only wanted to make sure that people understand that these very expensive daps from Sony or AK have artificially inflated prices that don't reflect the actual time or cost to develop, as such I previously compared them to "fine art" and paying a (big) premium for the very best a company has to offer, a notion to which I do not subscribe. The 1Z is the best dap Sony can possibly design, intentionally over priced to compete with other over priced daps like AK. While the 1A is a very slightly downgraded 1Z at a reasonable price point. That's all.

No matter how many times you repeat yourself or how diplomatically you state your case, it will be lost on some.
I am now wondering what ever Sony can muster up for their next Dap in 2 years time.

 

[thanatosguan]

  Btw, I've already explained that I have nothing against the 1Z, I only wanted to make sure that people understand that these very expensive daps from Sony or AK have artificially inflated prices that don't reflect the actual time or cost to develop, as such I previously compared them to "fine art" and paying a (big) premium for the very best a company has to offer, a notion to which I do not subscribe. The 1Z is the best dap Sony can possibly design, intentionally over priced to compete with other over priced daps like AK. While the 1A is a very slightly downgraded 1Z at a reasonable price point. That's all. I look forward to getting 1A myself, and envy those getting the 1Z. Capish

You instantly discredit yourself when you compare fine art to something that has "artificially inflated prices that don't reflect the actual time or cost to develop"
 
lol.

 

[Mimouille]

I raised this very point some pages ago although was told it was an earlier and not final software version, will wait and see.

This is a believe it or not, a very accurate rendition of what actually happens in real life. If people believe for one second that men in white coats at Sony are busy scarring around labs looking through microscopes or working out the isotopic notation for the isotope carbon-14, then you are deluding yourself or you work for the trade and have a vested interest.

The truth is as pointed out already, the difference in parts amounts to absolutely no more than $10 (caps, resisters & Kimble). The remainder of that 2K is now leaning on the Copper block, Do I need to go on?

Kudos Trance, well done.

Btw, I've already explained that I have nothing against the 1Z, I only wanted to make sure that people understand that these very expensive daps from Sony or AK have artificially inflated prices that don't reflect the actual time or cost to develop, as such I previously compared them to "fine art" and paying a (big) premium for the very best a company has to offer, a notion to which I do not subscribe. The 1Z is the best dap Sony can possibly design, intentionally over priced to compete with other over priced daps like AK. While the 1A is a very slightly downgraded 1Z at a reasonable price point. That's all. I look forward to getting 1A myself, and envy those getting the 1Z. Capish

Guys, when you a couch 2000$, it costs 800$ to the store selling it to you. And maybe 400 to build at most. Are they all criminals? This is the nature of every business with such a value chain.

But it is nice to have such business experts to enlighten us poor foolish consumers.

 

[Toolman]

Guys have no question in upgrading their handphone to the latest and most expensive on an annual basis, then complain about the price of DAP.

How much do you think a 5-figure price-tagged LV, Gucci or a Hermes bag cost to manufacture? do you see the trend slowing down? this consumerism are nothing new so why all the hue and cry?

* no way I'm gonna spend that sum of money on the 1Z myself just so we're clear 

 

[audionewbi]

I think all this premature impression of the current walkman are unfair when in theory they only will sound their best when used in balance. I for one do not see the point of single ended users (those who will never used balance connector) to buy a balance source if they will never use it. There are arguably better single ended daps out there. 

To me if I was to get this dap I will be making sure to use it at its best possible way and that would be its balance out. While the justification for single end to single ended impression is valid ultimately the important question is 'how good does it sound using the best possible setup it can offer?'

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

  You instantly discredit yourself when you compare fine art to something that has "artificially inflated prices that don't reflect the actual time or cost to develop"

 
Lets see you describe it better genius. Most supposed "fine art" has no great value in and of it self (to me), the price is artificially set based on the notion of it being a "masterpiece" etc, in the eyes of a some (aka subjective). I would never pay big money for a famous painting, when I have an artist uncle that spits out paintings that look better than some of these supposed "masterpieces"... 

 

[shockwaver]

if I burn in these models using only the balanced connection, does SE circuit need break-in time?

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

  if I burn in these models using only the balanced connection, does SE circuit need break-in time?

 
I would say yes, seeing as the balanced and single ended circuit's are separate, aka separate capacitors to burn in.

 

[shockwaver]

   
I would say yes, seeing as the balanced and single ended circuit's are separate, aka separate capacitors to burn in.

thank you. 
whoa, then these models take months to break in completely under normal usage.