Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[superuser1]

DMP-300 FEv2 (an update for DMP-300 FE)


Update (January 29th):
- two boot modes: "Classic" and "Plus";
- all visualizations are now more in sync with the music;
- when the player's battery is empty and it cannot turn on, you will see a charging battery image
on the screen when connecting the charging USB cable (instead of just a red LED on the side);

- the Walkman logo shown at shutdown is also orange now.


Boot modes:
"Classic" - provides the normal DMP-300 FE sound signature;
"Plus" - adds improved rendition of this sound signature (a more accurate and balanced sound, with better controlled bass,
improved detail retrieval, better soundstage holography, more present mids), at the expense of additional battery usage.

• The boot mode is selected by using the Hold button on the side of your player before
you start the player - the "down" position of the hold button is for "Classic", while the "up"
position is for "Plus" - for example leave the button in the "down" position while the player
is starting, and it will start in the "Classic" mode.

• You can check the current boot mode by going into the "Unit information" menu in Settings.

• You don't have to do anything with the Hold button while installing the firmware. Just install
the firmware and the external tuning, and after that you can use the Hold button as described above.


You can find the firmware and additional info, here (please read all the info).


Feel free to share your thoughts if you're gonna give it a try

My my its out with the 2 modes!! Awesome. Thank you very much. Will try it as soon as i can and get back to you. I have a feeling exciting times are ahead

Noob question: Can this be installed over the FE?

 

[pr0b3r]

My my its out with the 2 modes!! Awesome. Thank you very much. Will try it as soon as i can and get back to you. I have a feeling exciting times are ahead

Noob question: Can this be installed over the FE?

At the bottom of the page, it says we need to revert to stock if we're already on the DMP custom firmware. I'm assuming we have to use the MK1 version. Is that correct, @MrWalkman?

 

[MrWalkman]

At the bottom of the page, it says we need to revert to stock if we're already on the DMP custom firmware. I'm assuming we have to use the MK1 version. Is that correct, @MrWalkman?

Hey, no.

For ZX300, there are 3 DMP-300 firmware versions released:

- DMP-300
- DMP-300 FE
- DMP-300 FEv2

Hence why the first one is MK1, the second one is MK2, and the latest one is kind of MK3. I can just leave the names as "DMP-300" but I'm sure there will always be people who are confused.

In any case, there are two things:

1. I mentioned that DMP-300 FE is MK2:

2. You can also see in the names of the StockRevert installers that MK2 is the FE one:

It wouldn't make sense to just replace "FE" with "MK1" eventually. That would be really confusing indeed. For the actual FE, I also put the FE part in there.


In the end, I would say that it all comes down to the attention given to the info on the page.

 

[pr0b3r]

Hey, no.

For ZX300, there are 3 DMP-300 firmware versions released:

- DMP-300
- DMP-300 FE
- DMP-300 FEv2

Hence why the first one is MK1, the second one is MK2, and the latest one is kind of MK3. I can just leave the names as "DMP-300" but I'm sure there will always be people who are confused.

In any case, there are two things:

1. I mentioned that DMP-300 FE is MK2:


2. You can also see in the names of the StockRevert installers that MK2 is the FE one:


It wouldn't make sense to just replace "FE" with "MK1" eventually. That would be really confusing indeed. For the actual FE, I also put the FE part in there.


In the end, I would say that it all comes down to the attention given to the info on the page.

Okay, I was so eager to try the latest so I went ahead and used the MK1 stock revert. It did install successfully, at least from the PC side. But yeah, I overlooked the "FE" suffix for the current version I'm using. I'll try the stock revert MK2 now. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[MrWalkman]

I'll try the stock revert MK2 now.

I am not sure that's a good idea. If you don't see any "DMP-300" etc. in "Unit information", you can just go on and install the new version, followed by the external tuning. Otherwise, use the FE StockRevert.

It did install successfully

It will only install successfully when you don't see "DMP-300" etc. in "Unit information" afterwards, and when during the installation, the update bar on the player's screen fills up to the end.

 

[pr0b3r]

I am not sure that's a good idea. If you don't see any "DMP-300" etc. in "Unit information", you can just go on and install the new version, followed by the external tuning.

It still says DMP-300 FE after I used the MK1 stock revert.

 

[MrWalkman]

It still says DMP-300 FE after I used the MK1 stock revert.

Ok, then it didn't actually install, so feel free to try the FE StockRevert.

 

[pr0b3r]

Now, it says 2.02 after using the correct stock revert file. So, I guess I'm clear to update to the latest one now.

 

[MrWalkman]

Now, it says 2.02 after using the correct stock revert file. So, I guess I'm clear to update to the latest one now.

Indeed, followed by the external tuning.

 

[pr0b3r]

Indeed, followed by the external tuning.

Will do and listen to some familiar tracks with both default and plus modes. I'll post my early impressions here and at the ZX300 thread soon. Thank you so much!

 

[pr0b3r]

I don't know exactly what kind of sorcery you are doing with our firmwares but this last one was done extremely well! Those other genres I'm trying to avoid using my current setup (ZX300 and Penon Orb) are now sounding amazing.This is just a fresh listen after installation but I can already tell that improvements are certainly there. I'll try to pinpoint those things the more I listen to familiar tracks. For now, I noticed a better extension at the top end, a more balanced texture overall (especially for the lower end), a more holographic sound. My Orb still retains its highlight in the midrange which only gained better airiness to it. I feel like I've upgraded my setup to a set of new gears. No joke!

This is how I feel now. A truly remarkable update! Thanks, @MrWalkman!

 

[proedros]

wm1a users , what sonic differences do you perceive between FE classic and FE plus ?

 

[aceedburn]

wm1a users , what sonic differences do you perceive between FE classic and FE plus ?

My immediate perception is that classic is more laid back, warmer and bass is looser and slightly deeper. Plus is nicely balanced with tighter bass and deep as well. Mids are more forward on plus and highs are more detailed as well on plus. Soundstage is enhanced in plus by way of being more holographic and slightly less width than classic. Timbre is great on both. But overall both plus and classic are absolute gems. The fact that we can just switch between them in a few seconds is pure bliss.
I like classic for vocal jazz and most vocal specific genres. Plus works well for everything. As I like added warmth, classic gives me that oomph when I need it. Am a happy camper. Can’t thank @MrWalkman enough for this masterpiece. Both plus and classic are 2 of the best sound signatures that has ever graced the Walkman WM series.

 

[superuser1]

My immediate perception is that classic is more laid back, warmer and bass is looser and slightly deeper. Plus is nicely balanced with tighter bass and deep as well. Mids are more forward on plus and highs are more detailed as well on plus. Soundstage is enhanced in plus by way of being more holographic and slightly less width than classic. Timbre is great on both. But overall both plus and classic are absolute gems. The fact that we can just switch between them in a few seconds is pure bliss.
I like classic for vocal jazz and most vocal specific genres. Plus works well for everything. As I like added warmth, classic gives me that oomph when I need it. Am a happy camper. Can’t thank @MrWalkman enough for this masterpiece. Both plus and classic are 2 of the best sound signatures that has ever graced the Walkman WM series.

I feel you get that sense with the sound stage due to the better highs and therefore more air and a sense of it being holographic. The micro details make the soundstage very well defined but i think the stage was deeper in FE(classic version). The dynamism was already very good with FE and that has been taken up a notch is what i feel. Please take these impressions with a pinch of salt as these are very initial and done by casual listening.

 

[Gamerlingual]

I feel you get that sense with the sound stage due to the better highs and therefore more air and a sense of it being holographic. The micro details make the soundstage very well defined but i think the stage was deeper in FE(classic version). The dynamism was already very good with FE and that has been taken up a notch is what i feel. Please take these impressions with a pinch of salt as these are very initial and done by casual listening.

I’m keeping the classic FE. It’s the best sound for my ears