[MudEnjoyer]

I haven't had the need to use high gain yet even when using notoriously hard to drive IEMs like the Final E5000.

 

[iskender299]

I feel the need for high gain when:
DSD and DIRECT sound ON
PCM (everything else) and DSD Remastering ON

Otherwise no need, from volume perspective, and the majority of the time I listen at pretty low volumes

 

[nioh]

Be aware that the US version of the Walkman has significantly less power compared to the JP version also in Low Gain. It’s not the same regardless of High Gain.

 

[stormwrx]

Be aware that the US version of the Walkman has significantly less power compared to the JP version also in Low Gain. It’s not the same regardless of High Gain.

Did the latest firmware update to the US version impact the volume at all? Just wondering as I am considering buying one at the current sale price.

 

[nioh]

Did the latest firmware update to the US version impact the volume at all? Just wondering as I am considering buying one at the current sale price.

I don’t know what you mean. There was no change to volume limit in any firmware versions in any region as far as I‘m aware.

For a comparison of power on Low Gain

US - 1.1mW
JP - 50mW

High gain (JP only) - 230mW

 

[stormwrx]

I don’t know what you mean. There was no change to volume limit in any firmware versions in any region as far as I‘m aware.

For a comparison of power on Low Gain

US - 1.1mW
JP - 50mW

High gain (JP only) - 230mW

Thanks. I was just wondering if subjectively, the new firmware seemed to provide higher volume or gain. In any event, given those low power numbers for the US model, I'll pass or scoop up a JP model at some point.

 

[musingclouds]

Has anyone encountered track skipping when plugging usb c into a pair of headphones that take usbc out?

 

[rga02]

Was going to wait until my next trip to Japan, but it is currently on sale on Amazon for $600 so I bit the bullet. The volume cap won't bother me, I'll be using the IER-M7 on this thing anyway

 

[iskender299]

it's 569 USD on rakuma via FJ
https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/https://item.fril.jp/47374797b512182f68749a4baa17913a/19_1/

+ shipping and tax. shipping is around 4500 yen, tax depends on your location. Also there's weekly 5-10% off discounts

in case you don't like the US one

But do report back, I'm quite curious too.

 

[rga02]

it's 569 USD on rakuma via FJ
https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/https://item.fril.jp/47374797b512182f68749a4baa17913a/19_1/

+ shipping and tax. shipping is around 4500 yen, tax depends on your location. Also there's weekly 5-10% off discounts

in case you don't like the US one

But do report back, I'm quite curious too.

Thanks, and yeah I've even seen it dip below the $500 range as well on Mercari. I have personal experience with both the JP and US models and they are indistinguishable to me. I mainly use IEM (FINAL, intime, and Sony), and the only headphones I do have, the MDR-900CST, a potato can power that thing.

 

[nioh]

Thanks. I was just wondering if subjectively, the new firmware seemed to provide higher volume or gain. In any event, given those low power numbers for the US model, I'll pass or scoop up a JP model at some point.

You'll find a JP model brand new on eBay or may be even from Amazon JP for almost the same price as in the US now.
The price has gone down significantly after the initial rush of the release.

 

[musingclouds]

A follow up to my usb c output stuttering issue.

So 44.1 KHz flac / 16 bit and 24 bit have issues playing but 96 KHz flac and above (192 kHz) 16 bit or 24 bit have no issues. Would you all have any hypothesis?

 

[iskender299]

The price has gone down significantly after the initial rush of the release.

The yen went down. The price stayed the same (94.000¥ new). It’s crazy. I just came back from Japan and I felt like I was in Southeast Asia due to Yen’s devaluation. Family said it’s bad tho for them


So in January 2023 I paid 3122 PLN/ $780. Now it would be 2500 PLN/ $620 for a new unit.

Crazy. Got the IER-M9 for 80,000¥ / $530

Got 60 kilo of osenbe on return for 25-30k yen

 

[ttt123]

A follow up to my usb c output stuttering issue.

So 44.1 KHz flac / 16 bit and 24 bit have issues playing but 96 KHz flac and above (192 kHz) 16 bit or 24 bit have no issues. Would you all have any hypothesis?

Does the headphone work normally with other devices? If it does, a reset to factory on the Sony is the next thing to try.
Also reset the headphone if there is an option for that. This is usually a generic first step for troubleshooting.

Your symptom does not match the normal problem, where a higher bit rate, requiring more power, has problems.
But your symptom is that the lower bit rate is the one with the problem.

 

[musingclouds]

Does the headphone work normally with other devices? If it does, a reset to factory on the Sony is the next thing to try.
Also reset the headphone if there is an option for that. This is usually a generic first step for troubleshooting.

Your symptom does not match the normal problem, where a higher bit rate, requiring more power, has problems.
But your symptom is that the lower bit rate is the one with the problem.

Yes it does; also on the Sony’s it works out of the headphone jacks 3.5 and 4.4 mm no problem in all formats; just when it comes to usb-c out.

Headphones work fine playing the files out of usb-c with my iPhone 15