Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[Steen Pihl]

@MrWalkman Do you think J region works best with FEv2 fw? Did you also try matching it with other regions?

I have been shifting through a lot of the regions and for sound & entertainment, J seems to be the best! But we all have a personal preference on sound, so you have to try out, yourself! Select a region and give it some time (a couple of weeks) to get used to. Then you'll know. But from my Walkman, J is the winner! And with DMP-WM1 FEv2, ohh la la! Magic!

 

[MrWalkman]

@MrWalkman Do you think J region works best with FEv2 fw? Did you also try matching it with other regions?

I missed this post somehow, sorry.

I didn't really try other regions, but changes brought by regions should be the same no matter if it's the stock of a custom firmware.

So it's not a matter of a custom firmware matching a region, but more of a region matching your preferences.

 

[Artmuzz]

Some good news

It seems that the same mod as in the last update for the WM1 firmware is also possible on the A50.

The WM1 update: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-walkman-os-custom-firmware-non-android.943661/post-16123520

For now it will come only for the A50 FE version (the stock based one) as the A50R FE mod needs some attention regarding some issues that some users are encountering with the "An error has occurred" message.

I won't give an ETA, but it should come soon.


First, will come the ZX300 update, of course. (patience is a virtue ).


Edit: it may also work on the A30/A40 players, but that will take more time.

I have a Sony A55 and asked if the FE+ firmware would be available on the A50 players. This is good news. However, the bad news is that I placed an order on Amazon for over £800 on a Sony WM1a to get this firmware thinking that it wouldn’t be available for the Sony A55. However, I assume the audio quality on the Sony WM1a will be better than the Sony A55 even running the same FE+ firmware.

 

[nc8000]

I have a Sony A55 and asked if the FE+ firmware would be available on the A50 players. This is good news. However, the bad news is that I paced an order on Amazon for over £800 on a Sony WM1a to get this firmware thinking that it wouldn’t be available for the Sony A55. However, I assume the audio quality on the Sony WM1a will be better than the Sony A55 even running the same FE+ firmware.

Yes the better hardware will make a noticable difference but the A55 really is very good

 

[MrWalkman]

I have a Sony A55 and asked if the FE+ firmware would be available on the A50 players. This is good news. However, the bad news is that I placed an order on Amazon for over £800 on a Sony WM1a to get this firmware thinking that it wouldn’t be available for the Sony A55. However, I assume the audio quality on the Sony WM1a will be better than the Sony A55 even running the same FE+ firmware.

Yes the better hardware will make a noticable difference but the A55 really is very good

Indeed, I'm just amazed about the sound quality that the A55 can output, but a WM1A will still sound better.

The hardware differences between a 1A and a 1Z is one thing, but the differences between A55 and WM1A are not small at all.

 

[Artmuzz]

Indeed, I'm just amazed about the sound quality that the A55 can output, but a WM1A will still sound better.

The hardware differences between a 1A and a 1Z is one thing, but the differences between A55 and WM1A are not small at all.

This is good to know. If the sound quality is better on the Sony WM1a then I am getting more excited about receiving the WM1a because the Sony A55 sounds brilliant with the DMP-A50 FE firmware.

At the moment I have my Beyerdynamic T5P paired with my Cowon Plenue 2 and it’s sounds great. The T5P also sounds great paired with my Sony A55. I imagine the Beyerdynamic T5P will sound great paired with the WM1a.

 

[cn11]

Yes if I really was on a tight budget and had to get rid of all my expensive gear the A55 and a Blon BL01 would still give me loads of music joy

Second the thoughts on the BL01. I use my set wirelessly with the TRN BT20S Pro, connected to my work Mac (or home PC if doing the remote thing), and it is so engaging and nice to listen to, even after a higher end IEM through the WM1A. Crazy how good that simple wireless setup sounds.

 

[cn11]

I think it's time I try out this WM1A modded firmware! Going to give it a go here this afternoon...

 

[MrWalkman]

I think it's time I try out this WM1A modded firmware! Going to give it a go here this afternoon...

You definitely should, and I'm not just trying to "advertise" it for nothing. You'll see (or hear)

Make sure to read all the info, especially about how to switch the boot mode, and don't forget to also install the external tuning.

You'll see what I'm talking about after reading the page.

 

[magicguy]

Is someone got an 1A and à an 1Z ? In order to give us differences in sound ?
Thanks

 

[nc8000]

Is someone got an 1A and à an 1Z ? In order to give us differences in sound ?
Thanks

There has been several such comparisons in the old and locked WM1 thread

 

[magicguy]

I was talking with your firmware FE/FE+ lol

 

[mrrayray]

I missed this post somehow, sorry.

I didn't really try other regions, but changes brought by regions should be the same no matter if it's the stock of a custom firmware.

So it's not a matter of a custom firmware matching a region, but more of a region matching your preferences.

Or more like region matching my mood of the day LOL
The 1A/1Z has so much to play with nowadays!

 

[cn11]

Ok, newly updated firmware here on WM1A... hope this isn't a clueless question, but where & how do you change the region in the settings? I can't seem to find it. TIA.

 

[mrrayray]

Ok, newly updated firmware here on WM1A... hope this isn't a clueless question, but where & how do you change the region in the settings? I can't seem to find it. TIA.

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool
Follow the instructions here