Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[AlexCBSN]

Dmp 40 has this spaced soundstage that i love from the wm1a, i just keep going back for this player cause its so practical and the sound never disappoints, i think ill leave my wm1a home for today, funny that the bass imo had an improvement in detail, though I’m playing with a home made filter for my zeniths and it might have something to do with it... i feel instrument separation (mainly voices in baroness yellow and green) way better, all the choruses feel like they are in front me singing and i can differentiate all of em

 

[MrWalkman]

Nope, the tuning, or the way DMP-A40 sounds, has nothing to do with how Reloaded or Reloaded+ sounds like. He only said that DMP-A40 doesn't have the same volume as Reloaded had. In turn, I modified DMP-A40 to get to the same volume level.

I personally never heard anything clipping, and I use DSEE AI, DC Phase Linearizer, and Vinyl Processor - not even at maximum volume. I always thought that this is an amazing thing on these players, both A45 and WM1A.

I didn't feel the need to use the EQ at all, nor on my WM1A or on the A45.

You can't hear the difference? The sound is just a lot more airy, spacious (with wideness, height, and depth), tight bass, and the highs are just not harsh at all. If not, then I honestly have no idea what you're hearing, no offence

 

[HeyManslowdown97]

I personally never heard anything clipping, and I use DSEE AI, DC Phase Linearizer, and Vinyl Processor - not even at maximul volume. I always thought that this is an amazing thing on these players, both A45 and WM1A.

Because digital clipping doesn’t sound the same as analog clipping and sometimes it occurs on the tracks mix themselves as in true peak loudness.

Music production isn’t the same as it once was because of the Loudness Wars.

mp3 uses a 32 bit float because it moves what’s 0db so it doesn’t clip and all music is recorded in 32 bit and then downsampled


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/...my-songs-tell-us-about-the-loudness-wars.html

 

[MrWalkman]

Because digital clipping doesn’t sound the same as analog clipping and sometimes it occurs on the tracks mix themselves as in true peak loudness.

Music production isn’t the same as it once was because of the Loudness Wars.

mp3 uses a 32 bit float because it moves what’s 0db so it doesn’t clip and all music is recorded in 32 bit and then downsampled


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/...my-songs-tell-us-about-the-loudness-wars.html

Well, I'm glad you found your way to avoid these issues.

Just to clarify, there were no loudness issues with DMP-A40, aka it never sounded too loud or anything like that. It actually didn't reach the same volume level as the old Reloaded mods, and now it does. Otherwise, the sound of DMP-A40 has nothing to do with those mods.

Edit: the sound actually feels more relaxed with this firmware, in my opinion, and that is with all EQ bands at 0.

funny that the bass imo had an improvement in detail

It's also an improvement brought by this firmware. You can hear that bass texture more easily.

 

[HeyManslowdown97]

Just to clarify, there were no loudness issues with DMP-A40, aka it never sounded too loud or anything like that. It actually didn't reach the same volume level as the old Reloaded mods, and now it does. Otherwise, the sound of DMP-A40 has nothing to do with those mods.

Just to Clarify the DMP-A40/DMP-Z1 has 10 eq for a reason.

 

[MrWalkman]

Just to Clarify the DMP-A40/DMP-Z1 has 10 eq for a reason.

I always assumed that 10 band EQ is basically to allow for a more precise setting of the EQ, if you wish to use it.

Myself I am perfectly happy with no EQ.

I hope you're ok with me clarifying the stuff above. You seemed to have understood that something was basically wrong with the DMP-A40 sound in comparison with the old Reloaded mods.

 

[HeyManslowdown97]

Edit: the sound actually feels more relaxed with this firmware, in my opinion, and that is with all EQ bands at 0

Relaxed as nothing to do with loudness. Are you talking about timbre??

“High Gain” does!

 

[MrWalkman]

Relaxed as nothing to do with loudness. Are you talking about timbre??

Relaxed as in everything not only being cramped mostly in front of you. Also, I hear nothing hinting to it being too loud or anything like that.

This is only my experience, of course.

 

[HeyManslowdown97]

Relaxed as in everything not only being cramped mostly in front of you. Also, I hear nothing hinting to it being too loud or anything like that.

This is only my experience, of course.

Ah, I gotta ya that probably has to do with JP tuning of the firmware.
The Sounstage is mostly determined by your earphones/headphones.

 

[MrWalkman]

Ah, I gotta ya that probably has to do with JP tuning of the firmware.
The Sounstage is mostly determined by your earphones/headphones.

I get the earphones/headphones thing, but in this case, the firmware itself brings wideness, height, and depth to the soundstage, exactly as it does on the WM1 players.

 

[HeyManslowdown97]

I get the earphones/headphones thing, but in this case, the firmware itself brings wideness, height, and depth to the soundstage, exactly as it does on the WM1 players.

I get what you are saying... it’s true but majority of people who have the A40/A50 don’t have 1,200+ earphones. I have to eq with my crappy 150 earphones because the frequency responses aren’t as quick. I’m sure it’s fine on a IER 1z tho which I’m saving up for! Haha

 

[MrWalkman]

I get what you are saying... it’s true but majority of people who have the A40/A50 don’t have 1,200+ earphones. I have to eq with my crappy 150 earphones because the frequency responses aren’t as quick. I’m sure it’s fine on a IER 1z tho which I’m saving up for! Haha

Yeah, I was able to afford the ones in my signature at some point, but right now I'm not actually - bad times

I recommend the Shure SE215, which can be even cheaper than $150, and they sound awesome for their price!

 

[HeyManslowdown97]

but right now I'm not actually - bad times

The Struggle is Real!

yea, I’ve been debating this ever since I got the WM1A and your firmware mod though I love it but it maybe ideal to have flagship earphones to go with them but it may more of a better investment to get a flagship iems over any DAP if you had to pick from the two.

 

[MrWalkman]

The Struggle is Real!

yea, I’ve been debating this ever since I got the WM1A and your firmware mod though I love it but it maybe ideal to have flagship earphones to go with them but it may more of a better investment to get a flagship iems over any DAP if you had to pick from the two.

Well, like @Redcarmoose was saying, the DMP-WM1 MK2 firmware really improved his experience with some cheaper IEMs.

Yeah, the IEM/headphone is also important, but the source that drives them may be even more important.

 

[nc8000]

My A55 with R fw and the qJays V2 are a very, very competent rig