Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[Redcarmoose]

I imagine @gerelmx1986 is pondering on a battery replacement or waiting for a new model.
Talk of android or streaming etc only makes me value my Sony OS 1A more.

Well, the other thing I can guarantee is a new model will have some form of forward treble which upon first hearing it will be amazing. I’m 100 % positive there will be folks wetting their pants over what ever the new sound signature is. Still wait a while and truly see if it is better in comparison to the 1A/1Z in J region and aftermarket firmware. Much of the time we are surprised by a forward treble thinking it’s the cat’s meow, when it’s just brighter. IMO

When I say “trickery” it’s just brighter and it may even take 3 years before a person realizes what’s going on. Meaning the new sound is just new and a different take on what has been. It’s amazing how often that gets interpreted as the next big thing. IMO

 

[nc8000]

I would love to keep my WM1A for a decade ... but actually, I am a bit frustrated with some missing "functions" like :
-> no easy access on the way to Qobuz and my personnel Upnp server without using my smartphone via a limited Bluetooth 4.2
-> a real lack of power to move properly some headphones on the way too (2x600/800 mw should be more appropriate) and no line out available or incompatibility with DAC out and BT receiver. It would be nice to be able to use a pure external portable amp like C9/Centrance Ampersand or a more powerful DAC/amp like Diablo/Centrance M8V2.
-> only three EQ parameters saving possibilities with a fixed name
-> no search functions

Till now, I have to agree that I couldn't find any real replacement too .. Android based devices are falling short everytime somewhere too or even a real pain to use too ( Hiby R6pro, Fioo M11, Kann Alpha).
For sure if Sony decides to upgrade a little to their Linux based WM1A/1Z, I should be one of their customers.

All of them non issues for my use. Purely play my own off line library with either Z1R headphone

 

[Redcarmoose]

I love being off-line so to speak? Don’t mind the search function....that is non-existent! Don’t mind the BT limitation of not having a way to external amp with BT. Don’t want a line-out; that’s what the TA is for. All and all it’s the perfect experience for me anyway? Just the ability to make onboard files sound their best. Sony makes other DAPs which do streaming but it was a stripped-down experience that Sony was looking for with the 1Z/1A. It just is what it is.

All of them non issues for my use. Purely play my own off line library with either Z1R headphone

 

[newworld666]

All of them non issues for my use. Purely play my own off line library with either Z1R headphone

On the way, it's not really an issue, for sure .... (though search function still missing)

But at office or even home, it's a real pain to organize and maintain micro SD cards as soon as we want to change or replace some files..
I use Microsoft synctoy to do the job, but 1Tb is a bit too small for a significant amount of hires or DSD files and so long to update the library when I use 5 to 10 microSD cards. Unfortunately, WM1A is actually also not compatible with tiny SSD (2Tb or 4Tb) like a smartphone can read.

 

[WilcoRoger]

On a single 400GB card I have 6000+ songs, mixed 44/16, 96/24 and DSD64 - I am quite OK with that amount.

The issue is when DAP producers go off competing with phones, wanting to do all that phones do sans phone calls but with high-end audio. There come HD screens, streaming, web browsing, etc, that all hog RAM, slow down UI and necessity faster CPUs that in turn drain battery fast (together with the power hungry screens, wifi chips, etc)

That's why I love my current DAPS - they don't pretend to be something they are not. Pure music play or able to output digital signal as needed or even serve as DAC for the laptop (I don't use this function) Long battery life (especially the Sony Axx series), no lags in UI.

 

[gerelmx1986]

On a single 400GB card I have 6000+ songs, mixed 44/16, 96/24 and DSD64 - I am quite OK with that amount.

The issue is when DAP producers go off competing with phones, wanting to do all that phones do sans phone calls but with high-end audio. There come HD screens, streaming, web browsing, etc, that all hog RAM, slow down UI and necessity faster CPUs that in turn drain battery fast (together with the power hungry screens, wifi chips, etc)

That's why I love my current DAPS - they don't pretend to be something they are not. Pure music play or able to output digital signal as needed or even serve as DAC for the laptop (I don't use this function) Long battery life (especially the Sony Axx series), no lags in UI.

Agree with that. Why should i get a “phone sans the phone”. In my two 1TB catds i hold my wntire library and i have the patience to switch them..

 

[nc8000]

On the way, it's not really an issue, for sure .... (though search function still missing)

But at office or even home, it's a real pain to organize and maintain micro SD cards as soon as we want to change or replace some files..
I use Microsoft synctoy to do the job, but 1Tb is a bit too small for a significant amount of hires or DSD files and so long to update the library when I use 5 to 10 microSD cards. Unfortunately, WM1A is actually also not compatible with tiny SSD (2Tb or 4Tb) like a smartphone can read.

No for home I use an Auralic Aries Mini streamer with a build-in 2TB ssd linked to the TA amp. The 1Z is for travel to use in hotel rooms etc. and there I have downsampled my hires to 16/44

 

[aceedburn]

Glad to see this discussion being resurrected again. A true music player does what it’s supposed to do and nothing more. Plays offline music that sounds good whatever you throw it at, hires or not. And the WM1A does that effortlessly. It has the smoothest UI I have ever used on a DAP. It has a remarkable battery life. And with custom firmware it’s absolute potential is unlocked. I don’t need anything else. And if I want to stream, the Bluetooth streaming works effortlessly from my iPhone using tidal as well. All angles covered for me. I don’t want android. I don’t need it as the Sony firmware is rock solid and does what I want.

 

[firesign]

Glad to see this discussion being resurrected again. A true music player does what it supposed to do and nothing more. Plays offline music that sounds good whatever you throw it at, hires or not. And the WM1A does that effortlessly. It has the smoothest UI I have ever used on a DAP. It has a remarkable battery life. And with custom firmware it’s absolutely potential is unlocked. I don’t need anything else. And if I want to stream, the Bluetooth streaming works effortlessly from my iPhone using tidal as well. All angles covered for me. I don’t want android. I don’t need it as the Sony firmware is rock solid and does what I want.

A little more power and being able to save more EQ profiles would not hurt anyone

 

[Redcarmoose]

A little more power and being able to save more EQ profiles would not hurt anyone

Don't need power myself? Don't EQ.

 

[WilcoRoger]

A little more power and being able to save more EQ profiles would not hurt anyone

A couple of lines of code, probably. But I don't use EQ and never saved an EQ profile, so...

 

[nc8000]

A little more power and being able to save more EQ profiles would not hurt anyone

Don’t need any more power for my phones and have never used eq on any device

 

[aceedburn]

A little more power and being able to save more EQ profiles would not hurt anyone

Yeah to echo some of the rest, I have always hated eq and have never had the need for more power for my existing gear. Still these are not deal breakers as the included DSPs do wonders and the WM1A is not underpowered by any means.

 

[Ocelitgol]

Unless someone absolutely need streaming, I don't see any reason why there's a need for android in a DAP. It's not powerful enough to do anything else beside playing music, you have smartphone for that (unless you're not using modern phones). I used to think that I should get a powerful Android DAP for media needs, like movies and games, but then, again, that's a phone...

Just get a 1A, play with custom FW, and pick one that complement your IEM. For example: I can see Sony IER-Z1R and WM1A becoming an iconic duo.

But just to keep it moving forward or interesting, providing a tool or different options for the new walkman [so we can choose Android or Sony OS] should be fun. I wouldn't mind being able to pick custom options for a similar WM1A, like upgrades in phones. Battery capacity, screen size option, different DAC/AMP options, etc.

 

[feverfive]

I would LOVE for Sony to give us a dual-boot device....but for fellow longtime Sony lovers/watchers: does that sound like a Sony'esque solution? I'm struggling with thinking realistically that it is. My 2 cents. Anyway, love my WM1A....up to ~130 hours on it (4.4mm).