Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[mh1c]

I got around to snap a few pictures. The cable is not the Sony one, but one I snatched in Wanchai (HongKong) The case is a cheap hard plastic one off Amazon. The totally cool thing is the adhesive sheet between the A55 and the Fiio - it's from Japan, cheap there, impossible to get elsewhere. It's very, very strong, but still easy to detach if so needed.

The case is attached to the DAC/AMP, so if I need to take out the A55, I just snap it out the case, no need to detach the adhesive. The screen protector is a matte one, again off Amazon. It's sold as for the A35, but works well with the A55. (I hate the fingerprint collector original screen and screen protectors)

You can also see how perfectly the form factor of the A55 and the Q1mkII line up.

PS - the pix clearly show how "black" is a relative thing - just look at the end-plates

The last pic shows the A55 running Walkman One, playing on USB out, with HD650 on the balanced port.

Hello, what kind of cable is that? Sony proprietary port to micro usb? Where are those available?

 

[WilcoRoger]

Hello, what kind of cable is that? Sony proprietary port to micro usb? Where are those available?

Yes, that's a WM-port to usb micro. Bought in the Wanchai electric mall in Hong Kong. Fiio also made such a cable, search for "Fiio L27"

 

[mh1c]

I was able to find the usbc version for Q3.
Wouldn’t it be possible to use regular 3.5mm cable instead of L27?

 

[aceedburn]

Yes, that's a WM-port to usb micro. Bought in the Wanchai electric mall in Hong Kong. Fiio also made such a cable, search for "Fiio L27"

Unfortunately the FiiO L27 only works when connecting the Walkman to a FiiO dac like the q3,q5 etc. doesn’t work for any other use. It was confirmed by FiiO themselves and many others in the forums.

 

[mh1c]

Unfortunately the FiiO L27 only works when connecting the Walkman to a FiiO dac like the q3,q5 etc. doesn’t work for any other use. It was confirmed by FiiO themselves and many others in the forums.

I read a review comment on AE saying the new usbc version L27 doesn’t work with A55 walkman?

 

[aceedburn]

I read a review comment on AE saying the new usbc version L27 doesn’t work with A55 walkman?

If it works with WM1A and Xx300 I don’t see why it shouldn’t work for the a series. But better to confirm it before purchasing it though.

 

[mh1c]

If it works with WM1A and Xx300 I don’t see why it shouldn’t work for the a series. But better to confirm it before purchasing it though.

Why can’t one just use a male 3.5 jack to male 3.5 jack instead of wm to microusb/usbc?
I have a Fiio a1 and using 3.5mm.

 

[gsiu33]

I tend to compare DAPs to camera bodies and headphones/IEMs to lenses. Investing the same amount of money you get much better returns from lenses / headphones in terms of image /sound quality vs bodies / DAPs

(the above will probably sound Klingon to the millennials who think a mobile phone is a real camera - but I digress)

It is true in the age of film camera body because it is still the film capture the image no matter how expensive of the camera body. But in digital age, camera body also very important as those TOTL body provide better dynamic range, better noise control and image quality, just my few cents.

 

[aceedburn]

Why can’t one just use a male 3.5 jack to male 3.5 jack instead of wm to microusb/usbc?
I have a Fiio a1 and using 3.5mm.

Yea you can. If you use the 3.5mm out of the Walkman you’re using the Sony dac and if you use the usb out, the Walkman works as a pure source. That’s the difference.

 

[mh1c]

Yea you can. If you use the 3.5mm out of the Walkman you’re using the Sony dac and if you use the usb out, the Walkman works as a pure source. That’s the difference.

Is there a noticeable difference in sound? Is it worth picking up the wm cable if you already have the 3.5mm?
Sony a55/ Fiio Q1 mk2 or Fiio Q3 combo

 

[aceedburn]

Is there a noticeable difference in sound? Is it worth picking up the wm cable if you already have the 3.5mm?
Sony a55/ Fiio Q1 mk2 or Fiio Q3 combo

It depends on your preference really. I use FiiO k5 pro and have my WM1A connected to it via rca as well as wmport to usb in of the dac. Both give a different sound signature and are enjoyable in their own way. These Cables are pretty inexpensive so you could get them and either re sell them or give them away I’d you don’t like.

 

[WilcoRoger]

It is true in the age of film camera body because it is still the film capture the image no matter how expensive of the camera body. But in digital age, camera body also very important as those TOTL body provide better dynamic range, better noise control and image quality, just my few cents.

Getting off-topic here, but an extra 1000€/£/$ would bring much better end results if invested in better glass than in body upgrade. My 2¢

 

[WilcoRoger]

Unfortunately the FiiO L27 only works when connecting the Walkman to a FiiO dac like the q3,q5 etc. doesn’t work for any other use. It was confirmed by FiiO themselves and many others in the forums.

Interesting piece of info. I never came across this, because my DAC/AMP is Fiio

 

[WilcoRoger]

Is there a noticeable difference in sound? Is it worth picking up the wm cable if you already have the 3.5mm?
Sony a55/ Fiio Q1 mk2 or Fiio Q3 combo

I have the same setup - I use mainly it for the balanced jack on the Q1mk2. Otherwise I wouldn't bother, as the A55 gives enough juice for (most) my cans.

 

[mh1c]

I have the same setup - I use mainly it for the balanced jack on the Q1mk2. Otherwise I wouldn't bother, as the A55 gives enough juice for (most) my cans.

Does it? I feel it doesn’t give enough juice for my 45ohm iem’s. Unusable below level 100 out of 120. I can only imagine how terrible with 300/600 ohm cans.