Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[mt877]

WalkmanOne is a beautiful thing on the ZX300, the coming release will make it that much better. Thanks for your CFW releases @MrWalkman!

 

[OnTheSky]

I think I'm pulling the trigger. Just would like to know how is the volume with mrwalkman's firmware paired with IEMS of 32 (FD5) and 64 ohms (asking just in case if I choose different IEMs). Will I max out? I like to listen to loud music so I wouldn't like to spend 250$ to find out it can't play music loud enough.

 

[nc8000]

I think I'm pulling the trigger. Just would like to know how is the volume with mrwalkman's firmware paired with IEMS of 32 (FD5) and 64 ohms (asking just in case if I choose different IEMs). Will I max out? I like to listen to loud music so I wouldn't like to spend 250$ to find out it can't play music loud enough.

I listen at 50-70 normal gain with IER-Z1R and JH13 and 90 normal gain with MDR-Z1R so I would imagine that you should have plenty volume

 

[baskingshark]

I think I'm pulling the trigger. Just would like to know how is the volume with mrwalkman's firmware paired with IEMS of 32 (FD5) and 64 ohms (asking just in case if I choose different IEMs). Will I max out? I like to listen to loud music so I wouldn't like to spend 250$ to find out it can't play music loud enough.

It depends on the sensitivity too, not just the impedance.

 

[OnTheSky]

It depends on the sensitivity too, not just the impedance.

I know, that's why I mentioned it's FD5 in case of 32ohms. I just mentioned 64 omhs but what i mean is i would like to know if it will drive fd5 and some other iems that are considered harder to drive than fd5's.

 

[Queen6]

I know, that's why I mentioned it's FD5 in case of 32ohms. I just mentioned 64 omhs but what i mean is i would like to know if it will drive fd5 and some other iems that are considered harder to drive than fd5's.

On stock FW my WM1A has no issue driving the IEM's below way beyond sensible listening volumes.

Dunu ZEN
Frequency Response 5 Hz–40 kHz
Impedance 16 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity 112dB SPL/mW
weight 21g without Cable

Dunu Studio SA6
Frequency Response 5 Hz–40 kHz
Impedance 60 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity 113dB SPL/mW
weight 11g without Cable

Sony XBA-N3
Frequency Response 3 Hz–40 kHz
Impedance 32 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity 107dB SPL/mW
weight 7g without Cable

Dunu 3001 Pro
Frequency Response 5 Hz–40 kHz
Impedance 20 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity 112dB SPL/mW
weight 16g without Cable

Campfire Andromeda V3
Frequency Response 10 Hz–28 kHz
Impedance 12.8 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity 112.8dB SPL/mW

AKG N40
Frequency Response 10 Hz-40 kHz
Impedance 20 Ohms
Sensitivity 115dB SPL/V @1 kHz
Weight 22g Without Cable

Westone W40
Frequency Response 10 Hz-18 kHz
Impedance 31 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity 118dB SPL/1mW
Weight 12.7g

HP such as Hifiman's Ananda can benefit from more power, but Planar's and all.

Q-6

 

[Lpm3134]

with the new firmware from Mrwalkman which will be released, no problem powering his headphones

 

[BaltColts]

I totally agree. If you like direct source, you will have the power.

 

[Ravenous]

with the new firmware from Mrwalkman which will be released, no problem powering his headphones

I totally agree. If you like direct source, you will have the power.

Are you guys saying that his new firmware can actually draw more power out of the unbalanced and balanced connections? That would be awesome to hear!

 

[BaltColts]

I can only say that I can only turn the volume up to 23 on my u12t iems. That leaves a lot of headroom. Mr. Walkman may have to give more detail.

 

[457139]

I am finally able to post my testing results also. Awesome. Normally, my volume would be in the 50s and 60s but with this firmware, I stay between 18 and 24. It adds noticeable power.
At present, it is only available in direct source mode. So, I miss being able to adjust the effects. But it is now a nice alternative sound for me. Thank you, Mr. Walkman again.

Wow. This is exciting

 

[Hinomotocho]

Are there any major side effects like a significant increase in battery drain or noise (eg hiss)? Is it possible there may be a negative affect on the components? Does it still run cool?
It will be interesting to hear feedback from someone with harder to drive headphones, or comparing to a more powerful dap where the output factor had it preferred over the 1A/1Z.
If it can achieve this successfully it may add another level of value for the 1A/1Z.

 

[OnTheSky]

Mind that I'm using a55 currently with KZ ZSN pro which are good for the price but nothing to write home about. So I got the player yesterday. It sounded bad. like really bad. Both on stock and custom firmware. Played with tunings - no difference (chhecked the wmz one and the bright one). It sounded like the music was playing from behind a wall. Sound stage non existent. It played much worse than a laptop and worse than my old ipod. Every sound option was on off. I tried equalizer but the difference wasn't making it much better.

Since everything was off I haven't expected choosing direct sound option to make any difference. However I have tried it. I was wrong. It made a ton of difference. Every aspect was better. Sound stage was born. Finally there was a big difference between low and mid bass. Midrange wasn't affected by mid bass (which previously sounded like it was all mashed together). High frequencies added some freshness. Basically it sounded like different setup. I haven't used sony player till now so I don't know if it matters but checking direct sound made it also play louder on the same volume settings.

Any idea what might be happening?

 

[MrWalkman]

Mind that I'm using a55 currently with KZ ZSN pro which are good for the price but nothing to write home about. So I got the player yesterday. It sounded bad. like really bad. Both on stock and custom firmware. Played with tunings - no difference (chhecked the wmz one and the bright one). It sounded like the music was playing from behind a wall. Sound stage non existent. It played much worse than a laptop and worse than my old ipod. Every sound option was on off. I tried equalizer but the difference wasn't making it much better.

Since everything was off I haven't expected choosing direct sound option to make any difference. However I have tried it. I was wrong. It made a ton of difference. Every aspect was better. Sound stage was born. Finally there was a big difference between low and mid bass. Midrange wasn't affected by mid bass (which previously sounded like it was all mashed together). High frequencies added some freshness. Basically it sounded like different setup. I haven't used sony player till now so I don't know if it matters but checking direct sound made it also play louder on the same volume settings.

Any idea what might be happening?

Make sure it doesn't say "external tuning not applied" in the Unit Information menu

Regarding Direct Source and loudness, it's a byproduct of the WM1A/Z firmware running on an unintended device.

Do not enable the high gain option in the output settings, as it may have something to do with the lower volume when Direct Source is not active.

 

[OnTheSky]

Make sure it doesn't say "external tuning not applied" in the Unit Information menu

Regarding Direct Source and loudness, it's a byproduct of the WM1A/Z firmware running on an unintended device.

Do not enable the high gain option in the output settings, as it may have something to do with the lower volume when Direct Source is not active.

It doesn't say 'external tuning not applied' or any other information that could suggest anything is wrong.
I don't have high gain option enabled.
Difference in volume is about 7 points.