[Ryokan]

I spent a few hundred buying a 4.4mm cable to get the most out of the player (some say balanced is night and day different) but changed back to se with a Litz cable, set to normal gain and the music sounds punchy and vibrant. Thought I'd quickly go back to balanced but will spend a while listening as it is.
I thought balanced used better caps?

 

[Hinomotocho]

There is definitely an improvement with the balanced output, but sometimes I wonder if it is just the fact that there is more power? Like hi-res, upgrade cables etc there are some who say that balanced shouldn't make much difference in portable set ups (not me)

 

[larzy]

If anyone is looking for a bluetooth headset to go with the ZX300, I can highly recommend the new Sony 1000XM3 - they are simply amazing! For on the go, this is the perfect setup for me - at home I plug in my Z1R with balanced cable.

 

[tomaslam]

Can I check my unit if it was an Volume Cap ver or it's normal ver cause I found out that my previous A35 sounds louder than my ZX300 with the same volume level

 

[superuser1]

Can I check my unit if it was an Volume Cap ver or it's normal ver cause I found out that my previous A35 sounds louder than my ZX300 with the same volume level

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/Main/SonyNWDestTool#GettingTool

When sound pressure is on the volume is said to be capped and vice versa.

 

[tomaslam]

Hi @superuser1 my result is:

Destination: E (6)
Sound pressure: 0 (off)

So that means my unit is a normal ver?

 

[superuser1]

Hi @superuser1 my result is:

Destination: E (6)
Sound pressure: 0 (off)

So that means my unit is a normal ver?

Yes it seems sps is off and therefore sound cap is also off. However some people reported that changing the region made a difference for them (I dont understand how)
Please also see under settings --> output settings--> High Gain Output and check if both balanced and SE have been checked.

 

[tomaslam]

I can use High Gain on both Balanced and SE but my iem is just 16Ohm (CKR9ltd) so I'm not so sure using mine on high gain or just leave it unchecked. On HG, I have only let my unit around 50~60, but on LG (unchecked) I have to push the volume to 85~90, with my A35 I used the same iem with just 80 ~ 85...

 

[tomaslam]

In fact, the ckr9ltd is just 12Ohm...

 

[superuser1]

I can use High Gain on both Balanced and SE but my iem is just 16Ohm (CKR9ltd) so I'm not so sure using mine on high gain or just leave it unchecked. On HG, I have only let my unit around 50~60, but on LG (unchecked) I have to push the volume to 85~90, with my A35 I used the same iem with just 80 ~ 85...

IIRC they are 12 Ohms and sensitivity is 110 dB/mW. That volume settings are high indeed. Perhaps try changing the region to Asia and see if that helps.

 

[kms108]

I think if you have the option to select hi gain for balanced and SE, volume cap is off.

 

[tomaslam]

IIRC they are 12 Ohms and sensitivity is 110 dB/mW. That volume settings are high indeed. Perhaps try changing the region to Asia and see if that helps.

Yes, so confused. But does high gain make it sounds better? Or just louder. Cause I feel that high gain output makes my musics more layering and have more space but I read that high gain is just for high impedance headphones and doesn't effect on sound quality

 

[geagle]

@tomaslam I'd just go with my ears .... If you can go with high gain (meaning it's not too high at even lowish volume) and your ears think it's better, why not just do it ?

As for the technical reason why high gain might scientifically just actually BE better, I think I did read something here on head-fi, somewhere, though I don't remember exactly. Might have been that higher gain was more near wht the amplifier was meant to be, maybe.

But, again, if your ears like it better, even if it should prove to just be placebo, why not just go with it ?

 

[Ryokan]

There is definitely an improvement with the balanced output, but sometimes I wonder if it is just the fact that there is more power? Like hi-res, upgrade cables etc there are some who say that balanced shouldn't make much difference in portable set ups (not me)

Yes definately an improvement. Sound is 'cleaner'.

 

[Dizzle77]

If anyone is looking for a bluetooth headset to go with the ZX300, I can highly recommend the new Sony 1000XM3 - they are simply amazing! For on the go, this is the perfect setup for me - at home I plug in my Z1R with balanced cable.

I picked up my 1000XM3 last week. They are indeed a solid BT pairing with zx300. For on the move I’ve been using the 1000X for around 2yrs and the improvements are significant especially in terms of comfort and sound.

Do you find the zx300 has enough power to drive the Z1R over balanced? I’ve been thinking about a headphone for home use like the Z7 or Z7M2.