Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[Gamerlingual]

I have a gut instinct that this IS the final firmware update. Perfection cannot be superseded.

I would be ok with this. And man, what an achievement from @MrWalkman . Thank you is not enough to describe how many of us feel. I'm sure we appreciate your feats. Cheers again!

 

[Vitaly2017]

I have a gut instinct that this IS the final firmware update. Perfection cannot be superseded.

Sony is working on an update I know they are as they mentioned it last year. But @MrWalkman keeps surprising them and they have to each time reschedule the release LoL to reimprouve the sound tuning.

But seriously they are building something as we dont have any new successors rumors yets

 

[MrWalkman]

Sony is working on an update I know they are as they mentioned it last year. But @MrWalkman keeps surprising them and they have to each time reschedule the release LoL to reimprouve the sound tuning.

But seriously they are building something as we dont have any new successors rumors yets

I would say they're not really paying attention to things like this. With that in mind, I'm curious what's gonna come next.

 

[Dtuck90]

Can’t see much of a negative reaction from Sony about this latest firmware update as it is not going to cannibalise sales of the DMP-Z1.

I hope these mods have encouraged Sony to experiment more and see how far they can push their hardware. Maybe they didn’t realise the 1As true potential at the time?

I’m currently on holiday until Monday, but will definitely be downloading the new mod for my 1A.

How does it compare to A+ 2.0? And does it affect battery life at all?

 

[MrWalkman]

Maybe they didn’t realise the 1As true potential at the time?

I don't think that's true, but I'm not mad about it or anything like that. The 1A still sounded good in stock form, before having these mods available.

 

[tgrosu]

The DMP-Z1 based firmware for 1A and 1Z, was released, as promised. It aims to bring a sound signature resembling the one of the DMP-Z1, much better than previous attempts (like tuning mods).

DMP-WM1

Features:
- sound signature resembling the one of the DMP-Z1, with awesome bass response and amazing soundstage holography and extension (apply the DMP-Z1 tuning package after the installation)
- native DSD playback over the 3.5 mm output (available only for the 4.4 mm balanced port on the stock firmware)
- DSEE AI (present on DMP-Z1)
- progressive JPEG and interlaced PNG album covers are supported
- hardware accelerated rendition of the UI

Regarding the native DSD playback that is also available for the 3.5 mm output with this firmware, it means that the "Play DSD in Native Format" option from "Output Settings" will also apply for the 3.5 mm output when playing DSD. This means that no sound effects are being applied while this option is selected, exactly like with the 4.4 mm balanced port.

Spoiler: Instructions

Installation:
1. Install DMP-WM1, and then close the installer
2. After that, install DMP-WM1_Ext_Tuning
3. Restart the player

To revert to the stock firmware:
1. Install StockRevert (DMP-WM1), and then close the installer
2. After that, install StockRevert_Ext_Tuning
3. Restart the player


With both the firmware and the Ext. Tuning, the player should restart, so there should be two restarts of the player. Same goes for the reverting process.

Feel free to share your feedback!


The firmware is available for downloading, here.



There will be versions of this for ZX300 and other players as well, but I still have to work a bit on them.

I will also update the WM1A 2.0 and the other 1.4 mods, so they will be available again after I'll update them (very soon).


Thanks!

Thank you for your effort!
A mod for version 2.0, as you say, will be muuuuch appreciated.

 

[MrWalkman]

Thank you for your effort!
A mod for version 2.0, as you say, will be muuuuch appreciated.

2.0 will also be updated with the native DSD playback over the 3.5 mm output feature.

 

[Gamerlingual]

2.0 will also be updated with the native DSD playback over the 3.5 mm output feature.

Still pretty amazing that the 4.4mm on the 1Z and 1A play native DSD by default. Great stuff

 

[Hinomotocho]

Would the fact DSD is not getting converted to PCM on the 3.5mm output potentially mean the battery life would be better?

 

[audionewbi]

Guys, how would the difference between A50 and WM1 be characterised with both tuned to DMP? Hardware differences show up?

/
I'll do my best to get a hold of it, no promises. But why not get a second hand wm1a, Fujia Avic is full of second-hand 1a.

 

[MrWalkman]

Would the fact DSD is not getting converted to PCM on the 3.5mm output potentially mean the battery life would be better?

Sounds plausible, but I can't tell for sure. I mean, the conversion process clearly doesn't happen anymore, but at the same time I'm not sure if the player doesn't consume more battery playing DSD rather than playing PCM.

 

[audionewbi]

I would say they're not really paying attention to things like this. With that in mind, I'm curious what's gonna come next.

I used to be in contact with one of Sony Engineer on twitter who used to reply to my DM every now and than. As soon as the FW mod came live online, I asked him about it, from that day onward he went dark on me.

I have a feeling they do pay attention, just they are hush about it. As one way or another, someone outside of their big corporation is able to release FW after FW that they could not, for whatever reason. And that is embarrassing to them if you ask me.

 

[Maxx134]

People I know will disagree no matter what I say, but dang. The 1Z is a total pocket rocket that just went toe to toe with DMP-Z1. Hardly a difference in the holographic soundstage as it’s THAT good. I think I honestly saved myself 850,000 yen of buyers remorse. The only major difference is for headphones that require a lot more juice to drive, the DMP-Z1 is the way to go. Otherwise for all the cans I got, the 1Z hits all the checkboxes. To try to seek even “more perfection” would be ridiculous at this point. For once I’ll probably use what the hobby doesn’t use often which is logic and realize everything is in the palm of my hand thanks to MrWalkman. Wowsers. Sometime next year, I’ll buy another 1A or 1Z just to have the stock sound signature as the differences between those can for sure be discerned. I want to support Sony, but at a lower price. Cheers!

Is Your 1z unit stock?
If so, some of your money saved from not buying the dmp-z1, could benifit your 1z with a @Nayparm hardware upgrade.
That should boost the unit further into summit-fi territory.

...Tbh, I have been using whitigir version ever since....

Your missing out on latest advancements for worry about tunning synergy.
Yet Dmp-z1 is not just a tunnig but a real upgrade.

Mr Walman DMP fw on 1Z/1A is very good, notes pop out. Very clear and coherent. Its suitable for original 1A/1Z. Now the bad things; not necessarily bad, just improvements... ( at least to my ears).

This sounds alot like system synergy to me.
To offset any headphones that would require more power (like a planar) I use a tube amp connected from the Sony single ended output, and result is spectacular.
This is the advantage of the actual Dmp-z1 Sony stated they wanted to make it have more output power.

And dont forget to get it modded by @Nayparm So it reaches God-level SQ

I agree no matter the firmware, the hardware mod will boost it further. How much depends on you.

Not to be a contrarian, but with my gear the difference between a DMP-Z1 and this Kaesei 1A is still quite large. They are not in the same tier.
DMP-Z1 has texturing that is insanely Holographic, 3D Like I have never heard before, at least on my planar drivers.

Your comparison with the 1a, which almost has the soundstage of a 1z. The 1z always had a greater soundstage even when I used the previous firmwares.

Also, the 1Z romi soundstage should also be greater than stock, even if it gives a different Tonality.

Also should be mentioned again is the system synergy.
It is common to perceive greater amount of sonic qualities with a greater output power, if the headphones require or respond well to it.
With my Sony outputting into my tube amp, the sound is immense and spectacular with any headphones (I am using the "Oblivion" true hybrid tube amp).

Bit late to the party, but just installed the DMP firmware on my 1Z and comparing it with my actual DMP-Z1.

Well, it most definitely sounds like the DMP-Z1! It sounds much closer to the actual DMP-Z1 compared to the old DMP firmware that came out ages ago.

The great advantage of this firmware is for sensitive IEM's, with the lower OI on the 1Z compared to the DMP. So for example with the Empire Ears Odin, it sounds significantly better on the DMP-WM1 compared to the actual DMP-Z1. Winning! @MrWalkman you are a god amongst men. Thank you so much for this

This is proof of system synergy.
Looks like the Sony is better with IEMs now.

How about a MrWalkman background to top it off?

Haha

Why is everyone having issues?
Mine was instant straight from first try

I think it is because of many newer windows units have slower PCU.
I didn't bother to regress to stock, as Mrwalkman repeatedly stated so.
I had Sony ++ firmware, and just simply ran the new Firmware.
I let both the Sony and the laptop do it thing, regardless of the progress bars.
That's the trick. NOT to exit or disconnect. No need to because the unit will restart.
Once you see the Windows opening up from the Sony player, you know it's installed.
Then I close out and start the tunning install.
Then when windows pop up again I know it's done.
I then disconnect and restart the Sony player, as MrWalkman's stated to do, to make sure the Tunning is initiated.

I feel anyone who has issues, is because they're not patient lol.

 

[Maxx134]

I used to be in contact with one of Sony Engineer on twitter who used to reply to my DM every now and than. As soon as the FW mod came live online, I asked him about it, from that day onward he went dark on me

What did you ask him?
I'm sure that what makes them look good, doesn't embarrass.
That's a debatable personal opinion.
What's for sure, though, is that all the other DAP competition is hopping mad & jealous now, hehe.

 

[Dtuck90]

If they were bothered they would have asked the board to shut it down a long time ago. It’s been about 7 months since the first tunings now hasn’t it?