I agree with you, the ZX100 in contrast to my old A17, the zx100 is more refined, more textured, musical, it sounds beautiful
A question for those who have extolled the magic of AQ using a headphone amplifier - Is one really needed with the ZX100?
I've put a longer post on this issue at http://www.head-fi.org/t/816520/are-portable-head-amps-really-necessary#post_12775277 but pose this question seriously. I have found NO benefit using a head amp (either Fio Mont Blanc A12 or Headstage 5) with the Sennheiser HD800 headphones attached from the ZX100. I had expected extra grunt would be needed from the Sony ZX100 but have not found that to be the case. Both the A series & ZX100 have enough power for the HD800s.
And, as requested in the other post, please do not berate the choice of head amps mentioned above. I cannot believe that any headamp can improve AQ with the ZX100 unless those headphones are particularly insensitive. From what I can understand the best any headamp can do is maintain AQ, amplify it, but cannot improve it. The old GIGO applies.
That depends on whether you are going LO or HO. If you are going LO then you are bypassing the internal amp so you certainly can improve the sound. Check out the posts for the Fiio DAP's, users are finding adding the Q1 to together with the X3II makes a definite audible improvement in terms of clarity etc.
I will state this again as I have in the past it isn't just about adding power, a portable amp added to a DAP with weak output like the Sony DAP's may not improve detail but it can help improve the soundstage, and yes bass impact, air, etc.. which in my opinion can improve the listening experience. So sound quality is also about the intangibles as well as detail and sonics. It is about the entire listening experience. To me with the Q1 added to my current A17 it narrows some of the audible differences between the A17 and the ZX100. Straight up yes the ZX100 will beat the A17 as it should but to me with my headphones and adding the amp it narrows the gap to my hears with my HEADPHONES!!
I find the Q1 sound signature is very close to that of the A17 so using HO as I am I still get all the detail and sonics from the A17. For me the Q1's extra power expands the sound stage, adds more impact to the bass, improves the air between the instruments. Depending on the headphones you use you may not hear the bigger sound stage or the bass impact etc.. My B&W P5S2's can produce a wide and deep sound stage if the music provides it. Other headphones with a narrower or shallower sound stage may not produce an audible difference.
Ultimately all that matters is what sounds the best to you. Trying to argue that one DAP sounds better than another is pointless since the headphones will make the biggest difference. As well as the quality of the tracks, type of music you listen to, the listening environment etc... Some of you use the audio enhancement features and some like me prefer to listen flat. That will color your perceptions of sound quality as well.
When I express an opinion about what I hear when I audition a DAP, headphones etc.. I am not saying I am right and you are wrong I am simply stating to my ears with my equipment and my music and my listening preferences this is what I am hearing.
If you want to express you opinions on what sounds good to you please do. But don't tell me you are right and my opinion is wrong, no one opinion is right over any other as all opinions are subjective. If we all agreed on everything there would be no need for these forums