Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[MrWalkman]

Hate to say it, needs or be released for people to see. Gonna go harsh go with this I dropped CFW as far too much hiding within an elite group.

Post the FW as is if is such a vast improvement why are you holding off?

Q-6

Because we only tested one small thing, there is no full beta or anything hidden or being kept away from people. There is not even a complete working installer for this test we did. Installation went through at least a bootloop.

Not sure what elite group you're talking about - me and aceedburn? Everything new I implemented was eventually released to everyone when it was ready.

I thought you dropped custom firmware because you found the stock sound better, and not because of "elite groups"...

 

[justsomesonyfan]

Hate to say it, needs or be released for people to see. Gonna go harsh go with this I dropped CFW as far too much hiding within an elite group.

Post the FW as is if is such a vast improvement why are you holding off?

Q-6

what are you talking about lol, you can just use CFW instead of stock and not be consistantly updated, check in maybe once every half a year.

can you really not imagine a scenario of someone downloading a firmware that isn't perfected and it kills some wm1a or causes trouble? why go through the hassle if it can be avoided?

CFW is all free, there's 0 reason to complain if it functions well, if you prefer stock sound that's one thing, but if you dropped it because you're too impatient for the new update, that's just odd.

Anyways, J3 works on the latest firmware, you should give it a go, it's a very big improvement over stock, to me.

 

[MrWalkman]

what are you talking about lol, you can just use CFW instead of stock and not be consistantly updated, check in maybe once every half a year.

can you really not imagine a scenario of someone downloading a firmware that isn't perfected and it kills some wm1a or causes trouble? why go through the hassle if it can be avoided?

CFW is all free, there's 0 reason to complain if it functions well, if you prefer stock sound that's one thing, but if you dropped it because you're too impatient for the new update, that's just odd.

Anyways, J3 works on the latest firmware, you should give it a go, it's a very big improvement over stock, to me.

I guess he assumed that I get firmware ready for release, but instead I keep it only between a group of certain people. This happened, but not because of some select group of people that got a ready-to-use firmware just so they can have it before others and feel special. That was basically beta testing. If something unexpected appeared I would only have to fix their devices, and not those of other X persons that would want to try the firmware right away.

Right now there is no full-working beta build that I could share with people. Someone tested the higher volume thing once, then @aceedburn and I were doing some testing regarding potential new "regions", that are bringing really interesting changes to the sound - you'll be able to hear the changes yourselves, for those ready to attack me regarding how changing regions are not actually doing anything. He went through at least a bootloop - the fix didn't work at first.

I understand that it's been quite some time since I've been mentioning what's to come, but hopefully it won't be too far in the future until the update comes.

So, a higher volume option (working only with Direct Source on, which can be triggered by pushing a certain button 3 times), a low-latency USB DAC mode, suitable for watching videos or other real time media (can be triggered with a different button in the same way), and a new and interesting sound available as a new "region" option (at least one more, excluding J3).

 

[gLer]

I guess he assumed that I get firmware ready for release, but instead I keep it only between a group of certain people. This happened, but not because of some select group of people that got a ready-to-use firmware just so they can have it before others and feel special. That was basically beta testing. If something unexpected appeared I would only have to fix their devices, and not those of other X persons that would want to try the firmware right away.

Right now there is no full-working beta build that I could share with people. Someone tested the higher volume thing once, then @aceedburn and I were doing some testing regarding potential new "regions", that are bringing really interesting changes to the sound - you'll be able to hear the changes yourselves, for those ready to attack me regarding how changing regions are not actually doing anything. He went through at least a bootloop - the fix didn't work at first.

I understand that it's been quite some time since I've been mentioning what's to come, but hopefully it won't be too far in the future until the update comes.

So, a higher volume option (working only with Direct Source on, which can be triggered by pushing a certain button 3 times), a low-latency USB DAC mode, suitable for watching videos or other real time media (can be triggered with a different button in the same way), and a new and interesting sound available as a new "region" option (at least one more, excluding J3).

I, for one, appreciate and value the work you've done to elevate these players and extend their life well beyond what Sony may have intended. To the naysayers I say if you don't like it, don't use it, but we're entitled to nothing and should appreciate what @MrWalkman has done for this community almost single-handed.

 

[Sibimi]

I, for one, appreciate and value the work you've done to elevate these players and extend their life well beyond what Sony may have intended. To the naysayers I say if you don't like it, don't use it, but we're entitled to nothing and should appreciate what @MrWalkman has done for this community almost single-handed.

I totally agree, we should be grateful that @MrWalkman is willing to devote so much time to this, without pay. No one is entitled to any upgrade, and even if @MrWalkman kept the modifications to himself, we have no right to complain in any way. I'm happy to wait for a new upgrade, and if it doesn't come nothing happens!

 

[Hinomotocho]

I'm sure most of us would still be following the Walkman thread, happy with stock firmware and the region tool, but how refreshing it has been for these older models to have been opened up to new possibilities.
For anyone looking to purchase a dap, it would be easy to disregard a 5+ year old model, but I would imagine the 1A and 1Z have a refreshed perception and added value being able to choose your flavours - who doesn't like to customise, or at least have the freedom to?
Stock or custom? Your choice. But the opportunity is there, for free, or for the goodwill of a beer or 2, not some tiered membership or sly data mining motivation.
In this world of social media showmanship with desparate grasps at likes and acclaim I find MrWalkman to be very humble and endlessly patient with the repetitive questions about install issues.
I really appreciate his contribution to my Headfi life, thank you

 

[Sibimi]

I'm sure most of us would still be following the Walkman thread, happy with stock firmware and the region tool, but how refreshing it has been for these older models to have been opened up to new possibilities.
For anyone looking to purchase a dap, it would be easy to disregard a 5+ year old model, but I would imagine the 1A and 1Z have a refreshed perception and added value being able to choose your flavours - who doesn't like to customise, or at least have the freedom to?
Stock or custom? Your choice. But the opportunity is there, for free, or for the goodwill of a beer or 2, not some tiered membership or sly data mining motivation.
In this world of social media showmanship with desparate grasps at likes and acclaim I find MrWalkman to be very humble and endlessly patient with the repetitive questions about install issues.
I really appreciate his contribution to my Headfi life, thank you

For me, the custom fw and longevity of the 1A and 1Z is a "miracle". I have been looking for a long time for a portable DAP with the best sound and reasonable weight. And VOILÀ, thanks MrWalkman, here we go

 

[Queen6]

Because we only tested one small thing, there is no full beta or anything hidden or being kept away from people. There is not even a complete working installer for this test we did. Installation went through at least a bootloop.

Not sure what elite group you're talking about - me and aceedburn? Everything new I implemented was eventually released to everyone when it was ready.

I thought you dropped custom firmware because you found the stock sound better, and not because of "elite groups"...

People keep talking how much better it is, yet it's not accessible, which raises curiosity. I dropped CFW not due elitism, I dropped it as I want to listen as Sony intended. Nor by any means do I discredit your work, very much the opposite as you have done more for the community than any other has. Too many choices, for me I just like it simple.

@aceedburn answered the question succinctly, it's not stable so therefore not safe for general release. Simple and understandable. People being people we get things wrong from time to time...

Q-6

 

[andnej]

Thank you @MrWalkman and the testers
I would like to share a bit of my story
I got introduced to good quality music by my father from a very young age, there was a certain sound signature that was produced by a combination of tape deck. 2 years ago my father lost in a battle with covid, and my foolish little brother sold the tape deck to an unknown untraceable person. I am searching for this sound signature for some time and I found it in your firmware (latest with J3, bright, turntable resonance, DC Phase linearization A Standard). Without your firmware I have to buy a real DMP-Z1 ... I do not think my wife would allow me. So thank you.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

wondering, is there a wm1a signature on the walkmanOne?

 

[MrWalkman]

wondering, is there a wm1a signature on the walkmanOne?

Not yet, planned for the next update.

 

[andnej]

Not yet, planned for the next update.

I thought the netral is the wm1a sound

Btw, what is the equivalent of midnight on new firmware? I saw @Redcarmoose old post about midnight firmware have a good synergy with Sony XBA-Z5

 

[EardPhone444]

Oh no, my 1Z has gone into a bootloop. I installed Walkman One about 3 weeks ago and done a couple of tweaks and all has been well. I went to power up and it immediately went into a bootloop before the create database started which would rule out corrupted files? I fear it is a hardware issue that may become a major issue as I have a custom firmware which would no doubt be an easy out for Sony.

Hey, Mr. Walkman provided a program to repair the bootloop or something similar? What did you do to remove it?
I acquired a NW-WM1Z recently, but I installed the famous mod that modifies the sound firm, my problem is that it is in a bootloop and I have no idea how to fix it.
I've been sending Mails to Mr. Walkman but never responds. But I could also pay someone to solve it if it is the case.
Anyway, I can't believe that I have thrown € 3,303 at the trash... I bought it from Japan and has no guarantee.

 

[aceedburn]

Hey, Mr. Walkman provided a program to repair the bootloop or something similar? What did you do to remove it?
I acquired a NW-WM1Z recently, but I installed the famous mod that modifies the sound firm, my problem is that it is in a bootloop and I have no idea how to fix it.
I've been sending Mails to Mr. Walkman but never responds. But I could also pay someone to solve it if it is the case.
Anyway, I can't believe that I have thrown € 3,303 at the trash... I bought it from Japan and has no guarantee.

Sorry to hear about your predicament. Try asking @MrWalkman here nicely and he will help you solve that for sure!

 

[Hinomotocho]

Hey, Mr. Walkman provided a program to repair the bootloop or something similar? What did you do to remove it?
I acquired a NW-WM1Z recently, but I installed the famous mod that modifies the sound firm, my problem is that it is in a bootloop and I have no idea how to fix it.
I've been sending Mails to Mr. Walkman but never responds. But I could also pay someone to solve it if it is the case.
Anyway, I can't believe that I have thrown € 3,303 at the trash... I bought it from Japan and has no guarantee.

At the time he sent a temporary link for a fix, but it was under the good will that it would not be shared so I am unable to provide the link unfortunately. It could also be that this was for my specific issue with my model and version of the firmware so it would be better for you to wait for a response from him. He is now busier than the time when the firmwares were released so it may take time for him to reply. I'm sure it can be easily remedied.