Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[andnej]

It's exactly what I have chosen a bit more than one year ago... I preferred to mod my old Wm1A (by nayparm) for 800€ than switch to a used WM1Z...
In 2023, after so many years and DAPs bought, the WM1A is still my preferred DAP... Most of the time, the sound quality is just fully enjoyable, though it can be sometimes less technical than some of my other DAPs.

Feels that it is risky to ship to UK, but cost wise it is more effective, I can get a used WM1Z for 1300 USD.

 

[Aynomanche]

Does anyone know if this mod is reliable so that my walkman doesn't lock?
And can I also uninstall it at any time from my walkman?

 

[newworld666]

are you running the v3 mod of nayparm? i think v4 is 4.4 balanced only. just deciding which one to get

I don't know exactly, as I asked him a custom mod of my WM1A with best capacitors available at that time, a 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced output instead the 3.5mm single end output, and the longest battery playing time..

 

[nc8000]

Does anyone know if this mod is reliable so that my walkman doesn't lock?
And can I also uninstall it at any time from my walkman?

Don’t know. Something like this will be in the next release of the WalkmanOne fw when it comes out but no time frame for when that will be

 

[andnej]

Exactly, and it is a full MQA Decoder, but for local playback only. It doesn't work via USB DAC mode.

MQA decoder works in USB DAC mode. I use UAPP, chained the WM1A to the handphone and the application gave the MQA symbol and the blue spot

 

[nc8000]

MQA decoder works in USB DAC mode. I use UAPP, chained the WM1A to the handphone and the application gave the MQA symbol and the blue spot

Yes but the Walkman does not unfold a mqa stream arriving over usb. Perhaps your source unfolds before sending the signal to the Walkman otherwise it is played at slightly less than cd quality

 

[MrWalkman]

MQA decoder works in USB DAC mode. I use UAPP, chained the WM1A to the handphone and the application gave the MQA symbol and the blue spot

UAPP has its own MQA decoding, so if you play MQA through UAPP, then UAPP will show the blue or green spot. This doesn't meant that the connected DAC has MQA support.

 

[nc8000]

MQA decoder works in USB DAC mode. I use UAPP, chained the WM1A to the handphone and the application gave the MQA symbol and the blue spot

This from the uapp site

 

[yatik44]

Hi there.
I am about to sell a WM1A but NPA modded ( hardware). Someone ask a question about APPLE MUSIC.
Is it available or functionable ?
Thanks

 

[nc8000]

Hi there.
I am about to sell a WM1A but NPA modded ( hardware). Someone ask a question about APPLE MUSIC.
Is it available or functionable ?
Thanks

Only when the WM is used as usb or BT dac since you can’t install apps on it and it don’t have wifi

 

[aceedburn]

Only when the WM is used as usb or BT dac since you can’t install apps on it and it don’t have wifi

Yea and unless you’re connected to the LDAC format from the BT source device, I don’t see the purpose in this as you can stream it directly from the phone as opposed to via WM1A BT DAC.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

New settings new me!
The journey to finding the perfect settings is truly fun at times, when I think the dap reached it's limits I find a combination that surpasses it.

Current settings:
Dmp z1 (bright) tuning
J3 region
Plus mode v2
Gain = 1 (high gain)
dac initialization = 1

going from wm1z + mx3, it feels like the sound went from stereo to surround sound.

I need to play a bit more with the combos inbetween ( wm1z + J3, and Dmp z1 + mx3), but for now this combo is what I think is best.

 

[andnej]

New settings new me!
The journey to finding the perfect settings is truly fun at times, when I think the dap reached it's limits I find a combination that surpasses it.

Current settings:
Dmp z1 (bright) tuning
J3 region
Plus mode v2
Gain = 1 (high gain)
dac initialization = 1

going from wm1z + mx3, it feels like the sound went from stereo to surround sound.

I need to play a bit more with the combos inbetween ( wm1z + J3, and Dmp z1 + mx3), but for now this combo is what I think is best.

I am exploring as well and is now using the neutral mode, the rest are the same, I get better resolution, more details. the sound is similar with Astell SP 2000 T the solid state mode

 

[andnej]

Debating on getting a A55 or ZX300 or WM1A (used device with custom firmware). There's a 370$ difference between the A55 and the WM1A, and 250$ between ZX300 and WM1A. What are the benefits of getting the pricier player? Thanks a lot for your help!

I have a similar question back then and settled with WM1A, below is the answer.

They clearly share the same sound signature but everything gets better as they get bigger, however as I have stated before, had I had the A55 with WalkmanOne 6 years ago I would probaly never have bought the 2 others (nor the IER-Z1R) as the A55 with my old JH13 would have been plenty good enough for my travelling needs. That said I have not for one second regrettet buying the other 2 nor the IER.

Based on the situation right now, WM1A and WM1Z are the only ones getting J3 custom region, that should add icing to the cake.

 

[Hinomotocho]

In the near future I will have to update my android phone, and the one that best suits my needs no longer has sd card support. It's a major annoyance as I like the convenience of having all my music on one device, and I will always have my phone with me. I was looking into a mini dap and got a secondhand Fiio M5 but it has a few negatives so I am looking at other options. I had my mind on an old Sony A25, as the older A15 was the start of my path to better quality audio experience, but the bluetooth is older and it doesn't support DSD. 90% intended use is actually bluetooth, so DSD is not a biggie, it's just that I don't want to have to reformat any of my files. After buying a new phone I really don't want to spend much so was potentially considering a small, low-priced secondhand Walkman that can handle DSD and has solid bluetooth connection. Any recommendations please? Do A35, A45, A50 fit the profile?

**** I will probably abandon this route as I don't want to carry a specific charging cable, I'll be best to go with a USB-C for convenience.