Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[Hinomotocho]

Nice, never noticed this even after a few years with my 1A.

In my mind the Walkman OS is quite simple but I still come across settings that I didn't realise were there, had forgotten about or never used and have later found to be useful.

 

[Steen Pihl]

In my mind the Walkman OS is quite simple but I still come across settings that I I didn't realise were there, had forgotten about or never used and have later found to be useful.

Yes, the Walkman OS is very well thought out/ constructed. It seems so simple, yet it packs a lot of features (in my world, that is). I learned everything there's to know, through the original super-tread (there: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-nw-wm1z-wm1a.815841/). I used to call it "my daily go-to Walkman info newspaper"!

 

[Hinomotocho]

Yes, the Walkman OS is very well thought out/ constructed. It seems so simple, yet it packs a lot of features (in my wold, that is). I learned everything there's to know, through the original super-tread (there: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-nw-wm1z-wm1a.815841/). I used to call it "my daily go-to Walkman info newspaper"!

Indeed it was a super thread with the number of pages and posts. If it wasn't for the threads we would probably have just enjoyed our stock 1A/1Z but the wealth of shared knowledge and experiences (disputes aside) has taken our personal experience to an elevated level whether it be battery health and preservation or being enlightened how to manipulate the sound with region changes. Then of course there are the Mr Walkman firmwares.
When I upgraded from my ZX300 I found the 1A very cold and quite sterile even after the 200 hours burn in, I imagine I would have gotten used to it but being recommended to switch to J worked wonders, then after using the firmwares I read another member's experience going back to E and found what I deem to be my idea sound - priceless.
Now we have 2 relevant threads to carry on the legacy.

 

[aceedburn]

Indeed it was a super thread with the number of pages and posts. If it wasn't for the threads we would probably have just enjoyed our stock 1A/1Z but the wealth of shared knowledge and experiences (disputes aside) has taken our personal experience to an elevated level whether it be battery health and preservation or being enlightened how to manipulate the sound with region changes. Then of course there are the Mr Walkman firmwares.
When I upgraded from my ZX300 I found the 1A very cold and quite sterile even after the 200 hours burn in, I imagine I would have gotten used to it but being recommended to switch to J worked wonders, then after using the firmwares I read another member's experience going back to E and found what I deem to be my idea sound - priceless.
Now we have 2 relevant threads to carry on the legacy.

That original thread became so full of life after the firmware tuning were released sometime early 2020. That sparked a newfound interest in these players and fast forward to @MrWalkman custom firmwares that changed the entire landscape of the Walkman listening experience. Yeah, arguments, controversies, etc, but isn’t that what makes for an entertaining yet productive outcome?

 

[Redcarmoose]

That is the thing! MrWalkman made the players have achievements well beyond their original purpose. Staggering midrange, epic soundstage, fast and agile reproduction of elements in time. An experience which became full of involvement and participation. We could even choose to fine tune the experience, no less.


Next level imaging, profound bass response and a blending of all aspects which somehow became unified. A uniform sound which ever rendition you personally chose or setting you picked. And even though the original excitement slightly became (a little) dwindling in time, the effects are permanent and everlasting. The fact that at a change of firmware we again can explore new vistas of sound, possibly even still finding new avenues with new IEMs or headphones?

Such achievements are found and offered here by no one else. MrWalkman has done and can do things that are one-of-a-kind. He has no contemporaries or equals.

Indeed it was a super thread with the number of pages and posts. If it wasn't for the threads we would probably have just enjoyed our stock 1A/1Z but the wealth of shared knowledge and experiences (disputes aside) has taken our personal experience to an elevated level whether it be battery health and preservation or being enlightened how to manipulate the sound with region changes. Then of course there are the Mr Walkman firmwares.
When I upgraded from my ZX300 I found the 1A very cold and quite sterile even after the 200 hours burn in, I imagine I would have gotten used to it but being recommended to switch to J worked wonders, then after using the firmwares I read another member's experience going back to E and found what I deem to be my idea sound - priceless.
Now we have 2 relevant threads to carry on the legacy.

That original thread became so full of life after the firmware tuning were released sometime early 2020. That sparked a newfound interest in these players and fast forward to @MrWalkman custom firmwares that changed the entire landscape of the Walkman listening experience. Yeah, arguments, controversies, etc, but isn’t that what makes for an entertaining yet productive outcome?

 

[aceedburn]

That is the thing! MrWalkman made the players have achievements well beyond their original purpose. Staggering midrange, epic soundstage, fast and agile reproduction of elements in time. An experience which became full of involvement and participation. We could even choose to fine tune the experience, no less.


Next level imaging, profound bass response and a blending of all aspects which somehow became unified. A uniform sound which ever rendition you personally chose or setting you picked. And even though the original excitement slightly became (a little) dwindling in time, the effects are permanent and everlasting. The fact that at a change of firmware we again can explore new vistas of sound, possibly even still finding new avenues with new IEMs or headphones?

Such achievements are found and offered here by no one else. MrWalkman has done and can do things that are one-of-a-kind. He has no contemporaries or equals.

Yeah and it just goes to show how capable these players are. Without changing any hardware we are able to unleash a much more enjoyable experience. This is the epitome of musical enjoyment. Upgrading the sound without spending a dime. Now tell me which other music players have this option? I’ll tell you, NONE!!

 

[Hinomotocho]

That is the thing! MrWalkman made the players have achievements well beyond their original purpose. Staggering midrange, epic soundstage, fast and agile reproduction of elements in time. An experience which became full of involvement and participation. We could even choose to fine tune the experience, no less.


Next level imaging, profound bass response and a blending of all aspects which somehow became unified. A uniform sound which ever rendition you personally chose or setting you picked. And even though the original excitement slightly became (a little) dwindling in time, the effects are permanent and everlasting. The fact that at a change of firmware we again can explore new vistas of sound, possibly even still finding new avenues with new IEMs or headphones?

Such achievements are found and offered here by no one else. MrWalkman has done and can do things that are one-of-a-kind. He has no contemporaries or equals.

I'd love to see statistics of new and used Walkman sales after Mr Walkman's firmwares were released, there must be a noticeable increase, and potentially other Sony audio gear due to pairing recommendations etc and accessories suggested on these threads.

 

[aceedburn]

I

I'd love to see statistics of new and used Walkman sales after Mr Walkman's firmwares were released, there must be a noticeable increase, and potentially other Sony audio gear due to pairing recommendations etc and accessories suggested on these threads.

Should be an uplifting number for sure. The changes are not subtle. It capitalises the solid hardware options and unleashes it’s full potential by clever software tweaking.

 

[aceedburn]

Anyone here use the Sony music Center player on android? It’s a remarkable player that plays bit perfect audio since it bypasses the android SRC. even has all the Sony DSPs built in as well as EQ.

 

[WilcoRoger]

I'd love to see statistics of new and used Walkman sales after Mr Walkman's firmwares were released, there must be a noticeable increase, and potentially other Sony audio gear due to pairing recommendations etc and accessories suggested on these threads.

Probably below the level of noticing anything at Sony. Remember, we are but a very small community (as are the other fora Mr Walkman's fw is being discussed)

 

[Hinomotocho]

Probably below the level of noticing anything at Sony. Remember, we are but a very small community (as are the other fora Mr Walkman's fw is being discussed)

Probably right, but I have seen a French website mentioning the firmwares and I think there is a YouTube video so they do exist beyond HeadFi.
*I misread the last part of your post

 

[aceedburn]

The simple pleasures of life, where nothing else exists but just the music!

 

[Mörchingen]

Anyone here use the Sony music Center player on android? It’s a remarkable player that plays bit perfect audio since it bypasses the android SRC. even has all the Sony DSPs built in as well as EQ.

I also really like the Music Center app on Android and IOS. On Android, it handles the use of DAP Sony in USB DAC mode very well. It only lacks network discovery to access UPNP / DLNA devices. To access the library stored on my Auralic Aries Mini, I use the MusicLife app (better on IOS than Android) or the Neutron app.

 

[aceedburn]

I also really like the Music Center app on Android and IOS. On Android, it handles the use of DAP Sony in USB DAC mode very well. It only lacks network discovery to access UPNP / DLNA devices. To access the library stored on my Auralic Aries Mini, I use the MusicLife app (better on IOS than Android) or the Neutron app.

For network playback on android I use FiiO music player and for iOS it’s Music Streamer. Both do the job very well.

 

[Mörchingen]

For network playback on android I use FiiO music player and for iOS it’s Music Streamer. Both do the job very well.

I gave up using Fiio music because on both Android and IOS it cannot access the Auralic Aries mini library. It detects it but displays an error message as soon as you want to expand the file tree. I'll try Music Streamer. Thanks for the advice.