[bland125]

In my experience, most phones, even if they can play 24/192 or more or whatever still sound like c***, eh, not so good. Nothing beats the ease of use and portability of a phone which can make it decent for Bluetooth, some streaming or discovering but a DAP, specially this ZX507 sounds so much better whatever the resolution limitation of any non Sony app.

Also, do Tidal and Amazon HD actually disclose if the music was actually made available in >16/44 or was it just upsampled? I always wondered.

Bottomline, you should let those specs get into the way of a better music experience. My opinion for what it is worth.

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

What I find is that ZX507 balanced is a major stepup in sound quality over single end. Vocals sound much more spookingly life-like on balanced.

For ZX507 users still using single ended. I suggest your biggest priority is to get 4.4mm cable upgrade for your iem/headphones. If it's not possible to upgrade cable then consider purchasing 4.4mm capable audio gear as your next upgrade if budget allows.

 

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

Yes definitely try balanced, I even wired my cheap Koss Portapro for balanced because it sounds brilliant.

 

[osiris1]

fellow users, who also use a WF-1000XM3 with the 507, can I check that 360 Reality Audio is missing from Headphone app and TIDAL on the 507? I thought I saw it earlier but I could have been confused with the various devices I have.

 

[Damz87]

As @Sonywalkmanuser & @T.R.A.N.C.E. said, balanced is definitely the way to go. I wouldn’t even bother with the ZX507 if I were only using SE. The A105 seems to have a better implemented SE and sounds better than ZX507’s SE.

 

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

I wouldn’t even bother with the ZX507 if I were only using SE. The A105 seems to have a better implemented SE and sounds better than ZX507’s SE.

Are you pulling that from A105 thread? I noticed some people say that in there but I don't buy it. I'd wager they just prefer the smoother, less detailed sound from A105.

I say this because the ZX507 clearly has a better SE circuit than the A105.

The A105 audio circuit below has less accurate, smaller crystal oscillators for timing digital input for S-Master.

For amp output A105 has smaller inductors, smaller capacitors, smaller resistors and less power output than ZX507 SE circuit (35mW vs 50mW).

The A105 has a miniaturized version of the ZX507 output, same circuit design but using smaller components.

ZX507 also has the better grounding (CNC copper) which actually provides more benefit to SE than balanced.

 

[Damz87]

Are you pulling that from A105 thread? I noticed some people say that in there but I don't buy it. I'd wager they just prefer the smoother, less detailed sound from A105. I say this because the ZX507 clearly has a better SE circuit than the A105.

The A105 audio circuit below has smaller crystal oscillators, smaller inductors, smaller capacitors, smaller resistors and less power output than ZX507 SE circuit (35mW vs 50mW). The A105 has a miniaturized version of the ZX507 output, same circuit design but using smaller components. ZX507 also has the better grounding (CNC copper) which actually provides more benefit to SE than balanced, another win over A105.

I’ve got both (well, the A105 is my wife’s but I use it lol) and it’s purely my subjective opinion doing A/B tests

 

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

I’ve got both (well, the A105 is my wife’s but I use it lol) and it’s purely my subjective opinion doing A/B tests

Yeah I've seen people in the A105 thread say the same thing. Just goes to show the sound is what matters more than specs I guess.

 

[psikey]

Are you pulling that from A105 thread? I noticed some people say that in there but I don't buy it. I'd wager they just prefer the smoother, less detailed sound from A105.

I say this because the ZX507 clearly has a better SE circuit than the A105.

The A105 audio circuit below has less accurate, smaller crystal oscillators for timing digital input for S-Master.

For amp output A105 has smaller inductors, smaller capacitors, smaller resistors and less power output than ZX507 SE circuit (35mW vs 50mW).

The A105 has a miniaturized version of the ZX507 output, same circuit design but using smaller components.

ZX507 also has the better grounding (CNC copper) which actually provides more benefit to SE than balanced.

I had an import A105 then a UK ZX507. The A105 sounds at least as good as the ZX507 out of 3.5mm but the UK ZX507 is capped so could influence sound quality too. Still hovering over importing a ZX507.....

 

[GRUMPYOLDGUY]

fellow users, who also use a WF-1000XM3 with the 507, can I check that 360 Reality Audio is missing from Headphone app and TIDAL on the 507? I thought I saw it earlier but I could have been confused with the various devices I have.

Correct, it is missing. The app doesn't allow you to use pictures of your ear from another device anyway, and the ZX507 doesn't have a camera... I've used it on my iPhone... seems gimmicky.

 

[457139]

Got my new Sony case today!

 

[457139]

Beethoven from this DAP is just incredible by the way. Such exquisite body, separation and resolution w my Oriolus Reborn. The Reborn really shows the weaknesses in DAPs, and w the ZX500, it’s saying there are none.

 

[457139]

Evening bliss..

 

[osiris1]

Correct, it is missing. The app doesn't allow you to use pictures of your ear from another device anyway, and the ZX507 doesn't have a camera... I've used it on my iPhone... seems gimmicky.

thanks... it is a gimmick but sometimes fun though

 

[punkedrock]

I went ahead and purchased this DAP, the only problem I see in the future is how durable it is without a case until one shows up; how careful do I really need to be? :0

Also I am curious for a quick reply: I have a FiiO Q5S that has a DAC/AMP and I was hoping to use it in conjunction in between the Walkman and Sennheiser HD660S.
So getting to my point regarding that I can use a balanced 3.5mm adapter into the amplifier/DAC or I can use USB. Which one should I use for the absolute greatest sound? Or should I scratch that and use Bluetooth? Just wondering so I could go ahead and pick out a cable or two and if you guys had some recommendations there that'd be awesome.