[Dim666]

Great news ! Thanks for your come-back

 

[Redcarmoose]

I would be 99.99999999999999999% sure Sony is going for the $$$$ and catering for the streamers. The firmwares are a blessing because otherwise we would be stuck on the very average 3.02 with our only options being region changes, EQ or stock sound tweaks and dreams of the 1Z.

X1

 

[CRITICALSHOT]

Dawn and Midnight v2

This update wouldn't be possible without the generous donation
of a WM1A from Nayparm @ www.npaudio.uk (after having to sell mine).


Updates:
• A settings system is now available, allowing you to set various things.
Details below.

• A new Plus mode is now available. You can choose to use the old Plus mode
or the new Plus mode in the settings file mentioned above.
The new Plus mode should consume less battery than the old Plus mode, and
it should sound better.

One little downside of the new Plus mode is that when using the BT Receiver
mode or the USB DAC mode, the screen needs to stay on, otherwise the audio
can glitch on some of the players. Just reboot the player if it happens, by holding
the Power button for 8 seconds.

• A new region is available, KR3, which can be set via the settings file.
This region doesn't exist in the destination tool.

• The CEW2 region doesn't apply a volume limit anymore.
A new region available to try.

• The FEv2 (for Dawn) and Project Z (for Midnight) tunings are also available
now, besides the normal Dawn/Midnight tunings.

---

The settings file will be found in the Internal Storage, in a folder named "CFW".
Also, there will be a boot_log.txt file in the same folder, where you can take a
look after you change settings in the settings file to see if everything was read
from the settings file and set accordingly.

The settings file includes options like:
- choosing the region of the player;
- choosing if you'd like to have the remote option with any region (not just J/E);
- choosing between the Plus v1 mode or the Plus v2 mode;
- choosing if you'd like to boot into the chosen Plus mode by default or not;
- choosing between standard/stock gain, or higher gain;
- choosing to initialize the DAC normally or "differently";
- choosing the color of the icons on the "Home" page of the player.

If you delete the settings or the boot log file, they will be created automatically
at the next boot. The settings file can be edited with any basic text editor, like
Notepad, or Notepad++. After editing the settings file and saving it, turn off the
Mass Storage mode before rebooting the player.

For more info about the available settings, just open the settings file and read it.

Having the settings system means that the destination tool cannot be used
anymore to change the region, as the system always makes sure that the region
on the device matches the one set in the settings file.

While the remote option is On, the actual region shown by the destination tool will
not be the one set in the settings file (which is intended). Still, the region set in the
settings file will be the one used for the sound. If you decide to use StockRevert, and
you have the remote option set to On, you should first set the remote option to Off,
reboot the player, and then use StockRevert. Otherwise, the device region will be E
after using StockRevert (which you can then easily change with the destination tool).

---

As always, if you're already using one of the past firmware mods, you'll have to
revert back to stock first before you can install one of these new versions.


You can find Dawn/Midnight v2 here.


Hope you'll like it!

I noticed you didn't give too much info as to the sound signatures or your recommended Region Setting.

 

[audionewbi]

Thank you.

 

[MrWalkman]

I noticed you didn't give too much info as to the sound signatures or your recommended Region Setting.

Well, Dawn is more brighter-sounding, while Midnight more darker-sounding. Midnight has a wider soundstage, but in the end your headphones/IEMs also matter, so I think it's better if you just give one of them a try for a while (maybe several hours of listening), see if you like what you hear, and then try the other one.

Personally I like Midnight and the Plus v2 mode (with different DAC mode option), and region MX3.

 

[Hinomotocho]

Dawn and Midnight v2

This update wouldn't be possible without the generous donation
of a WM1A from Nayparm @ www.npaudio.uk (after having to sell mine).


Updates:
• A settings system is now available, allowing you to set various things.
Details below.

• A new Plus mode is now available. You can choose to use the old Plus mode
or the new Plus mode in the settings file mentioned above.
The new Plus mode should consume less battery than the old Plus mode, and
it should sound better.

One little downside of the new Plus mode is that when using the BT Receiver
mode or the USB DAC mode, the screen needs to stay on, otherwise the audio
can glitch on some of the players. Just reboot the player if it happens, by holding
the Power button for 8 seconds.

• A new region is available, KR3, which can be set via the settings file.
This region doesn't exist in the destination tool.

• The CEW2 region doesn't apply a volume limit anymore.
A new region available to try.

• The FEv2 (for Dawn) and Project Z (for Midnight) tunings are also available
now, besides the normal Dawn/Midnight tunings.

---

The settings file will be found in the Internal Storage, in a folder named "CFW".
Also, there will be a boot_log.txt file in the same folder, where you can take a
look after you change settings in the settings file to see if everything was read
from the settings file and set accordingly.

The settings file includes options like:
- choosing the region of the player;
- choosing if you'd like to have the remote option with any region (not just J/E);
- choosing between the Plus v1 mode or the Plus v2 mode;
- choosing if you'd like to boot into the chosen Plus mode by default or not;
- choosing between standard/stock gain, or higher gain;
- choosing to initialize the DAC normally or "differently";
- choosing the color of the icons on the "Home" page of the player.

If you delete the settings or the boot log file, they will be created automatically
at the next boot. The settings file can be edited with any basic text editor, like
Notepad, or Notepad++. After editing the settings file and saving it, turn off the
Mass Storage mode before rebooting the player.

For more info about the available settings, just open the settings file and read it.

Having the settings system means that the destination tool cannot be used
anymore to change the region, as the system always makes sure that the region
on the device matches the one set in the settings file.

While the remote option is On, the actual region shown by the destination tool will
not be the one set in the settings file (which is intended). Still, the region set in the
settings file will be the one used for the sound. If you decide to use StockRevert, and
you have the remote option set to On, you should first set the remote option to Off,
reboot the player, and then use StockRevert. Otherwise, the device region will be E
after using StockRevert (which you can then easily change with the destination tool).

---

As always, if you're already using one of the past firmware mods, you'll have to
revert back to stock first before you can install one of these new versions.


You can find Dawn/Midnight v2 here.


Hope you'll like it!

Thank you for your time and efforts.
Installed and settings tweaked, the ability to make so many adjustments with one boot is awesome - sheer genius!
I had got into the habit of sliding the hold button to activate my preference for plus mode but to be able to just boot into plus is a bonus. The colour options are a nice touch for a change. I was already a bit overwhelmed with the choices of combinations of regions and your previous tunings, but to easily change regions and experiment further with other regions and keep the remote function is another grand addition.
My country has just gone back into a sudden lockdown so these have come at a time I have the freedom to play around more.
Just stop and think of the value added to these 5 year old devices compared to their original stock form.

 

[MrWalkman]

the ability to make so many adjustments with one boot is awesome - sheer genius!

Thanks, I like it really much myself, of course. I just had this idea which I knew it was doable, and here we are

So my Settings are:

REG=MX3 (the MX3 region)
REM=0 (I don't have a remote, so I don't need it)
PMV=2 (Plus v2 mode)
PMD=1 (using Plus mode as default)
GM=0 (Gain mod Off/standard gain)
DIM=1 (different DAC initialization mode)
COL=3 (color 3, Blue, which I like)

Using Midnight with the Project Z tuning, and Direct Source turned on, with Sony Z7M2.

I was just thinking if the volume limit thing could still be useful, maybe it reduces the background hiss (which is not noticeable during playing) and people with really sensitive IEMs (like my Shure SE846) may want to use it.

 

[Budgie²]

Hello MR Walkman,
Many thanks for your excellent work
I have a problem with my WM1A.
I was using DMP_WM1_Fev2 on my WM1A. the player would block and then re-loop sometimes for many hours and it was impossible to remove the CFW.
Finaly i have successfully completing the first uninstallation step but i couldn't finalize with the stockrevert.
When I launch the program, the sony restart before the complete installation.
I don't know what to do anymore, I really appreciated your mods
Could you please help me?
Thanks a lot

Sorry for my english, i'm french (tellement nomade)

 

[MrWalkman]

Hello MR Walkman,
Many thanks for your excellent work
I have a problem with my WM1A.
I was using DMP_WM1_Fev2 on my WM1A. the player would block and then re-loop sometimes for many hours and it was impossible to remove the CFW.
Finaly i have successfully completing the first uninstallation step but i couldn't finalize with the stockrevert.
When I launch the program, the sony restart before the complete installation.
I don't know what to do anymore, I really appreciated your mods
Could you please help me?
Thanks a lot

Sorry for my english, i'm french (tellement nomade)

Sure, will PM you.

 

[CRITICALSHOT]

Well, Dawn is more brighter-sounding, while Midnight more darker-sounding. Midnight has a wider soundstage, but in the end your headphones/IEMs also matter, so I think it's better if you just give one of them a try for a while (maybe several hours of listening), see if you like what you hear, and then try the other one.

Personally I like Midnight and the Plus v2 mode (with different DAC mode option), and region MX3.

I saw that in the description but you told me a couple of days ago you were going to make a WM1Z tuning that didn't incorporate the DMP-Z1 tuning. I also saw a Midnight V2 with WM1A-WM1Z_21_08 in the file name and one without it in the files I downloaded. Is there a difference between the two?

I also can't seem to find the "CFW" folder; help!

​

​

 

[MrWalkman]

I saw that in the description but you told me a couple of days ago you were going to make a WM1Z tuning that didn't incorporate the DMP-Z1 tuning. I also saw a Midnight V2 with WM1A-WM1Z_21_08 in the file name and one without it in the files I downloaded. Is there a difference between the two?

I also can't seem to find the "CFW" folder; help!

Install only the 21_08 one, which is the latest and has some fixes.

If you installed Dawn or Midnight v2 (check Unit information menu for confirmation), then in the internal storage you should find the CFW folder containing the boot log and the settings file. By internal storage I mean accessing it using the Mass Storage mode, from your computer, of course.

The WM1Z for WM1A will come soon.

 

[CRITICALSHOT]

Install only the 21_08 one, which is the latest and has some fixes.

If you installed Dawn or Midnight v2 (check Unit information menu for confirmation), then in the internal storage you should find the CFW folder containing the boot log and the settings file. By internal storage I mean accessing it using the Mass Storage mode, from your computer, of course.

The WM1Z for WM1A will come soon.

Maybe I couldn't see the "CFW" folder because I was on my Mac using the Content Transfer app.

 

[MrWalkman]

Maybe I couldn't see the "CFW" folder because I was on my Mac using the Content Transfer app.

I don't know how it works on Mac, but should the player act as a simple USB memory stick (browsable with Finder)? If I connect it to my Android phone and I enable Mass Storage on the player, I can access the folders and files.

 

[Queen6]

As @tenedosian i am beginning to hate these FW mods, i see them as the reason qhy spby is not releasing anothwr cuatom os DAP, and insteas going android

Sony has already shown it's hand being all too willing to partner with Google for the ZX500. Those that are aware and use custom firmware are very likely in the minority. Should Sony opt for Google's Android it will be for one sole reason revenue.

If you don't like, there's other options. Personally I just need my DAP's to play music, nor remotely wanting the likes of Google to be involved. If Sony is unable to accommodate it's their loss not mine...

Q-6

 

[CRITICALSHOT]

I don't know how it works on Mac, but should the player act as a simple USB memory stick (browsable with Finder)? If I connect it to my Android phone and I enable Mass Storage on the player, I can access the folders and files.

That did the trick; so thankful for you help.