Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[Scubadevils]

Should’ve noted this is in balanced, also. Using Dunu SA6 balanced I think I’m somewhere in the 80s. So confused how you all are listening below the 70s let alone in the 40s with iems in low gain. I’m in my 30s, no hearing loss, my hearing is still excellent and I really don’t blast my music using headphones OR speakers. Not sure why I’m having to drive my IEMs so much more than everyone else.

I also have the SA6 and absolute max volume balanced is mid 60s, without high gain. I don't think I've ever gone beyond 70 with any IEM on the 1A. On the DUNU ZEN, I'm down in the 50s somewhere.

 

[WilcoRoger]

Do we have some data on how the different fw are impacting battery life vs each other and stock?

I THINK they are mainly about tuning and in some cases functionality, without actually changing the kernel - with the possible exception of A30 (??), so the same modules are loaded (again going out on a limb here, thinking it's a modular kernel) the same I/O schedulers, same clock-speeds, etc.

Or to put it differently - is any of the fw provide better performance (not talking SQ here)? Faster boot speed, faster indexing, faster scrolling, longer BT reach, etc

 

[nc8000]

Do we have some data on how the different fw are impacting battery life vs each other and stock?

I THINK they are mainly about tuning and in some cases functionality, without actually changing the kernel - with the possible exception of A30 (??), so the same modules are loaded (again going out on a limb here, thinking it's a modular kernel) the same I/O schedulers, same clock-speeds, etc.

Or to put it differently - is any of the fw provide better performance (not talking SQ here)? Faster boot speed, faster indexing, faster scrolling, longer BT reach, etc

The Plus mode generally reduces battery time by 20-25%, otherwise it is more or less the same as the Sony stock fw. Performance wise the various modded fw are more or less identical to the stock fw they are based on but add various new/improved functionality (exactly what depends on the specific device and fw)

 

[MrWalkman]

Wow didn't know WalkmanOS had a firmware scene!

I tried researching during the years for stuff like this but nothing came up, looks like my Google skills needs refinement

@MrWalkman I wonder if you could give us some technical infos regarding how you mod WalkmanOS firmware, last time I checked there was some nasty encryption involved.

This is just nerd curiosity though, don't want to start a competition

It's not about competition, but as others mentioned, I don't wish to go into details about this.

Just by doing a quick Google search about UPG unpacking, you can find how to do it. This was not available until around the end of summer 2020. I managed to get something which enabled the destination tool developer to make the UPG tool work with the newer encryption of the firmware for these devices.

I think is time for sony to release a sucessor walkman with DAC Filters

I'm not sure that changes brought by DAC filters are comparable to those brought by using a different firmware on these devices.

I have my WM1A for a few days only. I changed the region to uncap it and installed Midnight from MrWalkman but still I have to push the volume to almost the max (with HG on) to drive my headphones or IEMS. Is it normal or am I missing something?

Are you 100% that the region change was successful? I wonder what kind of IEMs you have that require so much volume?

I am plugging Beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro into the 3.5mm port and I can listen at around 100 on High Gain, and no more than 110-115 for certain DSD albums, but these have an impedance of 250 Ohms.

How pricey will headphones be? Now that Sennheiser will leave us

There is a thread around here where @jude mentions that Sennheiser are not leaving us: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/whats-up-with-sennheiser-i-asked-the-sennheisers.955716/

Or to put it differently - is any of the fw provide better performance (not talking SQ here)? Faster boot speed, faster indexing, faster scrolling, longer BT reach, etc

There is no firmware doing any of these.

 

[powergeek]

Are you 100% that the region change was successful? I think I saw the impedance of your IEMs as 17 Ohms, which shouldn't require pushing your volume that high.

I am plugging Beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro into the 3.5mm port and I can listen at around 100 on High Gain, and no more than 110-115 for certain DSD albums, but these have an impedance of 250 Ohms, so it's 250 Ohms vs 17 Ohms.

Yes the region change was successful. I checked and rechecked. I have a DT990 Pro 250 so I know they are hard to drive but only for the WM1A. I own various DAPs and I don't have to push as much the volume on the others. Regarding IEMs, I have many but right now I am using the Blon BL03 and they are 32 Ohms. I really like this player, the UI and the possibility to install improved FW but not sure I will keep it because of this power issue. I still have a few days before returning it.

 

[MrWalkman]

Except european languages. That's why I am on region E.

Yes the region change was successful. I checked and rechecked. I have a DT990 Pro 250 so I know they are hard to drive but only for the WM1A. I own various DAPs and I don't have to push as much the volume on the others. Regarding IEMs, I have many but right now I am using the Blon BL03 and they are 32 Ohms. I really like this player, the UI and the possibility to install improved FW but not sure I will keep it because of this power issue. I still have a few days before returning it.

It's really weird that at 32 Ohms you need to push the volume at maximum on High Gain for the IEM...

As for the DT990, I know that for the DT1990/1770 they are using a newer driver (Tesla driver), which is more efficient, aka getting higher sound output levels out of the same volume setting, and this could be why my DT1770 sounds loud enough.

In any case, I know the player's limitations, and I don't usually buy hard to drive gear anyway. I have Shure SE846 (~9 Ohms) and Sony Z7M2 (closed-back, 56 Ohms).

 

[Scubadevils]

Out of curiosity I just hooked up my HD650, switched to high gain on 3.5 as I don't have a balanced cable yet, one on the way. They sound fantastic - first time I've listened using @MrWalkman firmware, huge difference... but also, I'm at 86 and that is plenty, way too loud after.

 

[nc8000]

Yes the region change was successful. I checked and rechecked. I have a DT990 Pro 250 so I know they are hard to drive but only for the WM1A. I own various DAPs and I don't have to push as much the volume on the others. Regarding IEMs, I have many but right now I am using the Blon BL03 and they are 32 Ohms. I really like this player, the UI and the possibility to install improved FW but not sure I will keep it because of this power issue. I still have a few days before returning it.

You must simply just like your music louder than many here. It is not an “issue” with the Sony players but simply just the way they all are and if you need more power/volume than they can give you’ll have to look elsewhere. For comparison I use the BL01 with the A55 walkman at about 70 on single endednormal gain (no high gain setting and no balanced) and that is plenty loud enough

 

[Queen6]

Yes the region change was successful. I checked and rechecked. I have a DT990 Pro 250 so I know they are hard to drive but only for the WM1A. I own various DAPs and I don't have to push as much the volume on the others. Regarding IEMs, I have many but right now I am using the Blon BL03 and they are 32 Ohms. I really like this player, the UI and the possibility to install improved FW but not sure I will keep it because of this power issue. I still have a few days before returning it.

What code did you apply to the 1A for the region change? For Japan uncapped should be scsitool-nwz-v27.exe E: dest_tool set J off to verify the region scsitool-nwz-v27.exe E: dest_tool get

Note the drove letter E: may change dependant on your computer.

Q-6

 

[Cherub]

Yes the region change was successful. I checked and rechecked. I have a DT990 Pro 250 so I know they are hard to drive but only for the WM1A. I own various DAPs and I don't have to push as much the volume on the others. Regarding IEMs, I have many but right now I am using the Blon BL03 and they are 32 Ohms. I really like this player, the UI and the possibility to install improved FW but not sure I will keep it because of this power issue. I still have a few days before returning it.

Considering your iems impedance and efficiency and as you stated the region change was successful, I see only two reasons why you would need to go high in volume :

• you like to listen at higher volume
• you have really low volume recordings

It could also be both !

As a reference, when I use the Yume (32ohm & 106dB/mW vs 102dB/mW for the BL-03) with A55 (which is even less powerful than WM1A 3,5mm SE) in quiet environment, I go up to 75-80/120 when listening opera or classical and stay around 50-60 for the rest of genres.

 

[powergeek]

What code did you apply to the 1A for the region change? For Japan uncapped should be scsitool-nwz-v27.exe E: dest_tool set J off to verify the region scsitool-nwz-v27.exe E: dest_tool get

Note the drove letter E: may change dependant on your computer.

Q-6

Yes I applied J off and then checked with dest_tool get.

 

[powergeek]

Considering your iems impedance and efficiency and as you stated the region change was successful, I see only two reasons why you would need to go high in volume :

• you like to listen at higher volume
• you have really low volume recordings

It could also be both !

As a reference, when I use the Yume (32ohm & 106dB/mW vs 102dB/mW for the BL-03) with A55 (which is even less powerful than WM1A 3,5mm SE) in quiet environment, I go up to 75-80/120 when listening opera or classical and stay around 50-60 for the rest of genres.

Could be but I have a dozen of DAPs. Same files, same headphones, different results. I really like the Calyx M I just got a few days ago, just before the WM1A. For the same FLAC file and same IEMs, volume is at 25%. If I hadn't anything to compare to I wouldn't complain

 

[powergeek]

In any case, I know the player's limitations, and I don't usually buy hard to drive gear anyway. I have Shure SE846 (~9 Ohms) and You are maybe right. (closed-back, 56 Ohms).

You are maybe right. Now that I have invested a lot (too much) on DAPs, I should invest on good matching headphones

 

[powergeek]

You must simply just like your music louder than many here. It is not an “issue” with the Sony players but simply just the way they all are and if you need more power/volume than they can give you’ll have to look elsewhere. For comparison I use the BL01 with the A55 walkman at about 70 on single endednormal gain (no high gain setting and no balanced) and that is plenty loud enough

Possibly. I just wanted to be sure that my settings were ok by asking others users. Thanks to all

 

[Cherub]

Could be but I have a dozen of DAPs. Same files, same headphones, different results. I really like the Calyx M I just got a few days ago, just before the WM1A. For the same FLAC file and same IEMs, volume is at 25%. If I hadn't anything to compare to I wouldn't complain

I searched and found the Calyx M can output 1,25Vrms under 16ohm (~100mW ?), iirc WM1A cannot output much more than 1Vrms under the same load (rated at 60mW under 16ohm) when set on high gain so that is already quiet a difference.
Calyx M also have higher output impedance which also come at play if I am right (but other may correct if I am wrong)

Maybe you could indicate us at which volume you listen which track with BL-03 ?