[STR-1]

One big deal is OS compatibility. As an example, the AK series is terrible to connect to Mac OSX, whereas the ZX2 is just fine.

I have both the AK240 and the ZX2. In my opinion, the SQ is very good on both of them. I have not used either of them with an amp because I just don't think it is necessary. I bought the ZX2 mainly based on its ability to stream from Tidal, but have been very satisfied with it as a DAP once I worked around a couple of UI issues with playlists. I also have an iPhone 6 with an itunes library on it. I have an Oppo HA-2 amp that I use with it. My current IEM of choice is the Shure 846. I would recommend the ZX2 with the 846's, OR the AK100 II with the 846's. Both sound very good and if you use a 200GB SD card, have about twice the capacity of the largest memory iPhone. Using a balanced cable with the AK100 II or a TRRS cable with the ZX2 works great with the 846's. The line out on the AK100 II works very good with an amp. I would say that the SQ of the AK100 II is as good as the AK240. The only major difference beyond capacity between the AKs is that the AK240 has duel DACs while the AK100 II is a single DAC. I didn't notice a perceptible difference. Just my opinion based on my tastes.

Thanks. That's very helpful. I confess I haven't even started thinking about different cable options. Do they really make much difference?

 

[gerelmx1986]

I lost my ipod classic, so I purchased one of these. What a fantastic piece of equipment. It has been years since I've enjoyed listening to music this much.

Great! i had one too but it went face down to the floor and died.... so now i am planning to get a zx100 (currently A10 series walkman user)
 
128GB internal + 200GB microSd from sandisk =  tons of storage

 

[mollusk]

Great! i had one too but it went face down to the floor and died.... so now i am planning to get a zx100 (currently A10 series walkman user)

128GB internal + 200GB microSd from sandisk =  tons of storage

I bought it mainly for storage capacity reasons, but the audio output quality was a most pleasant surprise

 

[Tony1110]

I bought it mainly for storage capacity reasons, but the audio output quality was a most pleasant surprise

Why? Lol

 

[mollusk]

Why? Lol

Well, I'm sure part of the reason is that after losing my ipod, I was using my Galaxy S3 as my portable music device. That aside, the soundstage is huge with incredible nuance and amazing low end output.

 

[proedros]

is it my idea or is the separation kinda lacking ?

soundstage, yes immense
bass, robust
 
but something bugs me about the separation ....i sometimes feel like my dx90 has better separation
 
anyone who shares the same 'sand in the shoe' feeling ?

 

[Whitigir]

  is it my idea or is the separation kinda lacking ?

soundstage, yes immense
bass, robust
 
but something bugs me about the separation ....i sometimes feel like my dx90 has better separation
 
anyone who shares the same 'sand in the shoe' feeling ?

Just an idea, that means the ZX2 is pouring out a lot more details that your IEMS, HP are overwhelmed at retrieving......may want to buy new gears ?

 

[mollusk]

Regarding separation, I perceive the output to be very coherent.

 

[proedros]

 
Just an idea, that means the ZX2 is pouring out a lot more details that your IEMS, HP are overwhelmed at retrieving......may want to buy new gears ?

 
maybe but my iems are K3003 which are not so shabby so maybe it was a bad recording that sounded muffled ? hm.....

i am gonna buy some new iems though , you know how this place works voodoo on your mind 

 

[JeremyLaurenson]

I bought it mainly for storage capacity reasons, but the audio output quality was a most pleasant surprise

I loaded my ZX2 up with close to the max on an external 128 and the internal memory and the music app became very sluggish. The unit in general seems slow to me sometimes.

 

[mollusk]

Sometimes it is a bit sluggish (intermittently)

 

[mollusk]

My biggest frustration at this point is finding a convenient way to attach album art to all tracks that I have segregated into album folders. I can do it one track at a time, but this seems rather cumbersome.

 

[esteboune]

may i ask what Micro SD card are you guys using.

 

[gerelmx1986]

My biggest frustration at this point is finding a convenient way to attach album art to all tracks that I have segregated into album folders. I can do it one track at a time, but this seems rather cumbersome.

Try mp3tag program veru handy.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/759006/sony-walkman-tips-and-tricks

 

[nc8000]

may i ask what Micro SD card are you guys using.

Sandisk 200GB