[Quadfather]

I love the 1z...almost tempted to keep it.

I would just keep it. I have been tempted to sell some of my players and I'm so glad I have kept all three of my main players.

 

[NaiveSound]

I once had a 79 Les Paul Standard. I was moving and had too much stuff so I sold it. I have always missed that guitar. You won’t know till you miss it.

Tell me about the TA and what about it has significant improvement over 1z

 

[Redcarmoose]

Tell me about the TA and what about it has significant improvement over 1z

Strangely it’s an IEM amp. You get it and it comes with cables and a small remote, but it’s probably best suited suited as a DAC and amp with a computer or the 1A/1Z. It’s not the best going analog in or Toslink SPDIF in RCA, from a transport with 16/44.1 disks.

It’s maybe not going to be the total best with layed back dark IEMs; the treble enthusiasm of the 1Z adds some energy getting the signature to slip out of the woods.

Remember though this is just my opinion using the Z1R, Z7, N3, Z5 and Anole V3 and Encore. It’s nice with everything but maybe slightly too dark with the Anole V3.

Though word on the street is they are great to hook a DVD player up optical; I have not tried it. But as a DAC it does the DA conversion then takes the analog back into the digital realm in a DSD envelope. So it uses an effect much like upsampling, along with proper DSEE HX. It has very few controls really. No EQ. I leave the DSEE HX and DSD remastering engine on all the time. It has 3.5mm single ended, 1/4” single ended, XLR 4pin, 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mmX2 balanced.

As a preamp it has a choice of line out or volume control out. Strangely you could plug an analog vinyl preamp into it and upsample the signal to DSD. Have not tried that yet. But in daily use HD sounds especially nice, though I mainly use 320 kbps and FLAC. I especially like how it makes MP3 sound...........................I know that is silly, but MP3s are special with it.

It’s super heavy with a EMF enclosure and the connections like gold plate RCA are comparable to the highest end gear you will ever see. Though it is only as powerful as my Asgard One. Which it’s way more than you need with the Z1R and Z7, but couldn’t drive a k701 very well. I leave it on low gain for the Z1R and Z7. What’s truly amazing is what it can do to the Z5. Just an experience where the soundstage opens and this thick buttery bass in a fixed lockdown image prevails. Z5 soundstage gets the best I have ever heard too. All and all it’s just blacker in background but also is more flat than the 1Z. The 1Z has a treble spike that enhances some IEMs and is a detriment to others. Also it’s kinda warm, warmer than the 1A. Remember it’s made by the TA team, who have been making amps ever since, I don’t know, the late 1970s? It’s their first headphone amp.

It’s a nice compromise as it’s dead quiet with IEMs.

As far as sound goes it’s a noticeable improvement over the 1Z-1A. Better stable image production and blacker background; both notable qualities with IEMs and headphones. Tighter bass on the headphones and of course amazing synergy with Sony headphones, taking them to a place few products can. Super easy to use too, never ever gets more warm than body temperature.

 

[NaiveSound]

Strangely it’s an IEM amp. You get it and it comes with cables and a small remote, but it’s probably best suited suited as a DAC and amp with a computer or the 1A/1Z. It’s not the best going analog in or Toslink SPDIF in RCA, from a transport with 16/44.1 disks.

It’s maybe not going to be the total best with layed back dark IEMs; the treble enthusiasm of the 1Z adds some energy getting the signature to slip out of the woods.

Remember though this is just my opinion using the Z1R, Z7, N3, Z5 and Anole V3 and Encore. It’s nice with everything but maybe slightly too dark with the Anole V3.

Though word on the street is they are great to hook a DVD player up optical; I have not tried it. But as a DAC it does the DA conversion then takes the analog back into the digital realm in a DSD envelope. So it uses an effect much like upsampling, along with proper DSEE HX. It has very few controls really. No EQ. I leave the DSEE HX and DSD remastering engine on all the time. It has 3.5mm single ended, 1/4” single ended, XLR 4pin, 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mmX2 balanced.

As a preamp it has a choice of line out or volume control out. Strangely you could plug an analog vinyl premamp into it and upsample the signal to DSD. Have tried that yet.

It’s super heavy with a EMF enclosure and the connections like gold plate RCA are comparable to the highest end gear you will ever see. Though it is only as powerful as my Asgard One. Which it’s way more than you need with the Z1R and Z7, but couldn’t drive a k701 very well. I leave it on low gain for the Z1R and Z7. What’s truly amazing is what it can do to the Z5. Just an experience where the soundstage opens and this thick buttery bass in a fixed lockdown image prevails. Z5 soundstage gets the best I have ever heard too. All and all it’s just blacker in background but also is more flat than the 1Z. The 1Z has a treble spike that enhances some IEMs and is a detriment to others. Also it’s kinda warm, warmer than the 1A. Remember it’s made by the TA team, who have been making amps ever since, I don’t know, the late 1970s? It’s their first headphone amp.

It’s a nice compromise as it’s dead quiet with IEMs.

As far as sound goes it’s a noticeable improvement over the 1Z-1A. Better stable image production and blacker background; both notable qualities with IEMs and headphones. Tighter bass on the headphones and of course amazing synergy with Sony headphones, taking them to a place few products can. Super easy to use too, never ever gets more warm than body temperature.

I appreciate you

 

[Redcarmoose]

I appreciate you

Honestly it’s one of the nicest pieces of gear I have ever owned.....and I’m almost 57. Cheers!

 

[flyer1]

Anybody uses Dynamic Normalizer?

Just tried it for longer and didn't expect to like it this much as it is supposed to compress dynamics.

As most of my tracks are well mastered it seems to give a nice boost to them and I can lower volume and not notice lesser dynamic range.

 

[AllenWalker]

WM1Z with K-mod. Pairs well with most of the IEM/CIEM I paired it with.

CustomArt Harmony 8.2. 64Audio A18. Both paired with Effect Audio Leonidas Ver1 & 1960 2 wire.

AAW A3H Ver2 with null audio 8 wire copper cable. Campfire Audio Comet with Kimber Audio cable.

If without K-mod, what do you recommend?

 

[AllenWalker]

You seems to go towards Dynamic Drivers, maybe try those with at least 1 DD iems, eg Campfire Audio Solaris.

Oh that's nice idea. Maybe got bored of BA drivers...thanks

 

[AllenWalker]

Not that I can afford the 1Z but, a question for those that have both... If you used one on day one exclusively, and swapped to the other on day two (ie a break from listening, rather than a direct a/b) is the difference still very obvious, you feel that something is missing or extra versus the day before?

Why do those that have both have both? Does one seem to suit some genres better than the other? (As in does the 1A actually beat out the 1Z at any point?)

Loving the 1A, but having one of those what if moments.

Thanks!

AK SE100

 

[AllenWalker]

@AllenWalker I've been contemplating picking up the Acoustune HS1650CU as well for my 1Z. Can you offer any additional thoughts? Thanks.

Really smooth. The details are there. Was surprised, considering the price point and how it performed. Better to demo first

 

[nc8000]

Anybody uses Dynamic Normalizer?

Just tried it for longer and didn't expect to like it this much as it is supposed to compress dynamics.

As most of my tracks are well mastered it seems to give a nice boost to them and I can lower volume and not notice lesser dynamic range.

I would never use it. What it does is make sure that all tracks play with the same max volume which totally kill the dynamic range especially in classical music where there can be huge swings in what max volume is from track to track within a pice of music. I always plays full albums end to end, but I guess it could be usefull if one does a lot of shuffle/random track playing

 

[krayzie]

IIRC when the dynamic normalizer was first introduced with the MZ-RH1 it was primarily used for field recording playback (i.e. interviews, etc). It was never really intended for music playback.

 

[480126]

New! Great with Sony WM 1A FW 2.0 Norne Audio Solvine and HD 800S

 

[ryaneagon]

Got my WM1Z a few days ago. In short, it's the best sounding, best interface, best feeling DAP I've ever owned. It'd defiantly going to be apart of my collection of gear for many year!

I see that some of you have posted pictures with a plug in the 3.5mm input? Were the walkman's supposed to come with these? (mine didn't)

If not can one of you post a link where I might obtain them? \,,/

 

[nc8000]

Got my WM1Z a few days ago. In short, it's the best sounding, best interface, best feeling DAP I've ever owned. It'd defiantly going to be apart of my collection of gear for many year!

I see that some of you have posted pictures with a plug in the 3.5mm input? Were the walkman's supposed to come with these? (mine didn't)

If not can one of you post a link where I might obtain them? \,,/

It does not come with the player. I bought an assortment on eBay a few years ago