Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[Lookout57]

I know this is a question thats been asked a thousand times in this forum. Im stuck in the loops between deciding to buy a WM1 but cant decide if I want to settle on the A or bite the bullet on getting a Z despite the steep cost increase. Im stuck on the thought of "is it enough of a difference to justify the increased cost?"

Obviously I know the hardware is definitely better and some people question if they would have bought one, especially after what the software over the years, including Walkman ONE has done to close the gap. But how large actually is the gap after all of this?

how exactly (subjectively) would you describe they are different in sound between both of them?

Im just impatient because my A55 is nearing its end of life after about 4.5 years with the battery showing age, and a recent accident cracking the screen and damaging the jack. And im in an awkward spot finally where i can comfortably afford a WM1A but am just of reach of a WM1Z in good condition that would be reliable and a solid device that would hopefully last me many, many more years. Kinda like a buy one and be done. In about a month or a few weeks if all goes well, i should be able to easily afford one though, i just need to make a decision on what my plans are

Any input would be helpful if its not of annoyance to anybody.

I have both and use the same MrWalkman configurations on both.

The biggest difference is the 1Z has a much bigger soundstage, deeper and wider. Also the low end extends deeper with better details. However the 1A is no slouch. What it has over the 1Z is a fuller, warmer mid bass and weighs significantly less.

So if you are a basshead, go for the 1A and save some money. Otherwise the 1Z can't be beat and with the right head/earphones and cable can match high end stereo systems when it comes to music enjoyment.

 

[Queen6]

Meanwhile the weight of the 1Z is one of its best features for me. Feels like a mini gold brick, literally.

Not if you fly frequently then it fast becomes a PIA and can attract the wrong attention from security. Those that want the 1Z sound signature can get 95% there by just flipping the firmware, this was established years ago. WM1A & WM1z are just differing flavours of the same that appeal to differing tastes. Sony had to counter, this was and is the result today. As time passes you realise much of the industry is smoke & mirrors as the electronics are well matured and have been so for a long time.

Few DAP's are bad these days but the are not all guaranteed to be to your taste. Without colouration they would all be the same as neutral is what it is...

Q-6

 

[Excavation]

I can see your points, between the satisfaction of knowing you own "the iconic gold brick" i will agree is glorious, but i also see the point of for about the money i would spend on getting a somewhat good condition WM1Z i could get a great condition WM1A and have it modded and get near the same if not the same performance for about the same price it would cost just to order a good 1Z, even a bit less.

Portability is somewhat important so itll be relatively lightweight, but ill also keep the device in a case for most of its life so i likely wouldnt get to just sit and appreciate its beauty very often if i did buy the 1Z

Ultimately I settled on a very good condition 1A that was quite a bit cheaper for its respective condition and also tested. Furtherdown the line ill decide if and when I want to get it modded. Im expecting to recieve it anywhere in the next 4 says to 2 weeks.

Thank you to all those that responded with your inputs. I hope itll be quite the upgrade from the A55 so i will be eagerly anticipating its delivery

 

[greymousetaxi]

I can see your points, between the satisfaction of knowing you own "the iconic gold brick" i will agree is glorious, but i also see the point of for about the money i would spend on getting a somewhat good condition WM1Z i could get a great condition WM1A and have it modded and get near the same if not the same performance for about the same price it would cost just to order a good 1Z, even a bit less.

Portability is somewhat important so itll be relatively lightweight, but ill also keep the device in a case for most of its life so i likely wouldnt get to just sit and appreciate its beauty very often if i did buy the 1Z

Ultimately I settled on a very good condition 1A that was quite a bit cheaper for its respective condition and also tested. Furtherdown the line ill decide if and when I want to get it modded. Im expecting to recieve it anywhere in the next 4 says to 2 weeks.

Thank you to all those that responded with your inputs. I hope itll be quite the upgrade from the A55 so i will be eagerly anticipating its delivery

i started off with the a55 to "trial" the sony house sound under mrwalkman cfw. a55 is like 80% of wm1a with both of them being cfw modded. i could tell right away that the 1a was superior. i was listening to cal tjader and those vibraphones sing beautifully with added body with cymbals sounding crisp and full. you're going to love it.

 

[gLer]

Not if you fly frequently then it fast becomes a PIA and can attract the wrong attention from security. Those that want the 1Z sound signature can get 95% there by just flipping the firmware, this was established years ago. WM1A & WM1z are just differing flavours of the same that appeal to differing tastes. Sony had to counter, this was and is the result today. As time passes you realise much of the industry is smoke & mirrors as the electronics are well matured and have been so for a long time.

Few DAP's are bad these days but the are not all guaranteed to be to your taste. Without colouration they would all be the same as neutral is what it is...

Q-6

I agree, if I was happy with 95% I would have got the WM1A.

 

[SteeLMinder]

On a sidenote, how do you rate MUB1 compared to WM1A. That little powerhouse is building up quite a reputation for itself.

MUB1 is good DAC, I only use it with my macbook when I'm working. Compared to WMA1 it has more power. This affects the dynamics and resolution, but you should take into account that its notes are thicker than WMA1 and warmer.

 

[Queen6]

I agree, if I was happy with 95% I would have got the WM1A.

I see them as different and much depends on the library, but the weight was something I just didnt like at all about the 1Z.

Q-6

 

[Lookout57]

I see them as different and much depends on the library, but the weight was something I just didnt like at all about the 1Z.

Q-6

I've been using my 1Z daily at home and when I go to the 1A to take out it feels like a feather

 

[Hinomotocho]

I can see your points, between the satisfaction of knowing you own "the iconic gold brick" i will agree is glorious, but i also see the point of for about the money i would spend on getting a somewhat good condition WM1Z i could get a great condition WM1A and have it modded and get near the same if not the same performance for about the same price it would cost just to order a good 1Z, even a bit less.

Portability is somewhat important so itll be relatively lightweight, but ill also keep the device in a case for most of its life so i likely wouldnt get to just sit and appreciate its beauty very often if i did buy the 1Z

Ultimately I settled on a very good condition 1A that was quite a bit cheaper for its respective condition and also tested. Furtherdown the line ill decide if and when I want to get it modded. Im expecting to recieve it anywhere in the next 4 says to 2 weeks.

Thank you to all those that responded with your inputs. I hope itll be quite the upgrade from the A55 so i will be eagerly anticipating its delivery

I've owned Sony gear since the cassette Walkmans, but didn't get on a more quality focused path until my A15, which was the first one to accept lossless files prompting me to improve the quality of my library. I would upgrade to the next tier every couple of years so got to appreciate the step up from the A15 > ZX100 > ZX300 > WM1A > WM1Z. I found it addicting each time to attain a benefit in soundstage, clarity, texture, separation etc each time - diminishing returns, yes, mostly, but something that over time with focused listening to your valued music library can be easily written off in my mind.
I recently bought a low-priced used ZX300 to use when I don't want to risk damaging my 1Z, and to preserve it's battery life. I have since come to realize that my listening time to music with the ZX300 has literally doubled as I would quite often pass on using the 1Z due to weight/size and/or in situations I might damage it while doing things around the house. Also, I actually really like the ZX300 and find it totally satisfying to listen to. I did have a quick listen at my desk to the 1Z and definitely could notice and appreciate the difference in SQ, but for the price...
I think you've made a good move getting the 1A, you should notice a significant step up from your A55. Yes the 1Z MAY be a worthy step up, but that can always be a choice you could make a bit later, which may be appreciated more instead of going straight from the A55. The 1A maybe perfect for you, and then you have the choice to have it modded, but at least you haven't stretched yourself financially and have achieve a big step up - definitely go 4.4mm balanced.

 

[Excavation]

I've owned Sony gear since the cassette Walkmans, but didn't get on a more quality focused path until my A15, which was the first one to accept lossless files prompting me to improve the quality of my library. I would upgrade to the next tier every couple of years so got to appreciate the step up from the A15 > ZX100 > ZX300 > WM1A > WM1Z. I found it addicting each time to attain a benefit in soundstage, clarity, texture, separation etc each time - diminishing returns, yes, mostly, but something that over time with focused listening to your valued music library can be easily written off in my mind.
I recently bought a low-priced used ZX300 to use when I don't want to risk damaging my 1Z, and to preserve it's battery life. I have since come to realize that my listening time to music with the ZX300 has literally doubled as I would quite often pass on using the 1Z due to weight/size and/or in situations I might damage it while doing things around the house. Also, I actually really like the ZX300 and find it totally satisfying to listen to. I did have a quick listen at my desk to the 1Z and definitely could notice and appreciate the difference in SQ, but for the price...
I think you've made a good move getting the 1A, you should notice a significant step up from your A55. Yes the 1Z MAY be a worthy step up, but that can always be a choice you could make a bit later, which may be appreciated more instead of going straight from the A55. The 1A maybe perfect for you, and then you have the choice to have it modded, but at least you haven't stretched yourself financially and have achieve a big step up - definitely go 4.4mm balanced.

Yeahh, i try to make my devices last as long as physically possible and i quite literally have used all of mine until theyre begging to stop working, my a55 has got to a point where im lucky to get 5 hours on a charge with the screen off with direct souce on. I think it was time for an upgrade, the hold switch no longer holds and the screen got cracked somehow (i still havnt figured that one out considering it wasnt recently dropped or around anything that "could" damage it) but its had a minimum of 5k hours put into the device so i think ive got my use out of it.

Ill just have to get proper equipment to pair with the 1A now especially because i have nothing 4.4mm but thats down the line a little bit. Any recommendations of IEMs or headphones would be appreciated for either port. I think its kind of pointless to have a $700 WM1A and a $200 set of Moondrop Katos lol, at least i think.
Ive been looking at Blessing 3 Dusks but i still should keep my options open for the best pair to match with a WM1A. I tend to prefer a more neutral tuning, after using some cheap poorly made headphones and earbuds that were "good" i got a little tired of only ever hearing bass and treble and nothing in between. Its exciting absolutely, i just like fullness, but still incredibly defined.

 

[Hinomotocho]

Yeahh, i try to make my devices last as long as physically possible and i quite literally have used all of mine until theyre begging to stop working, my a55 has got to a point where im lucky to get 5 hours on a charge with the screen off with direct souce on. I think it was time for an upgrade, the hold switch no longer holds and the screen got cracked somehow (i still havnt figured that one out considering it wasnt recently dropped or around anything that "could" damage it) but its had a minimum of 5k hours put into the device so i think ive got my use out of it.

Ill just have to get proper equipment to pair with the 1A now especially because i have nothing 4.4mm but thats down the line a little bit. Any recommendations of IEMs or headphones would be appreciated for either port. I think its kind of pointless to have a $700 WM1A and a $200 set of Moondrop Katos lol, at least i think.
Ive been looking at Blessing 3 Dusks but i still should keep my options open for the best pair to match with a WM1A. I tend to prefer a more neutral tuning, after using some cheap poorly made headphones and earbuds that were "good" i got a little tired of only ever hearing bass and treble and nothing in between. Its exciting absolutely, i just like fullness, but still incredibly defined.

You're heading on up and I'm going back the other way - I'm now after an A55 for a small form dap for work. I was thrilled to find a good condition one from a highly rated Japanese seller on eBay, it came in 2 days via DHL, but it had a fault with the screen, so still looking.

I'm more into an iem with a nice dynamic bass so wouldn't be able to offer any suggestions, I'm sure someone here will.
Again, I finally got myself the IER-Z1R, but have recently acquired some lower tier iems (my MH750 were a couple of dollars) for times I don't want to risk a totl iem. My BLON03 actually pair well with my 1Z and although not a scratch on the Z1R for technicalities, are one I'll often reach for. There are so many bang-for-buck and highly rated mid-tier iems that you may not have to match the 1A for price/quality. The Moondrops are probably frequently paired withe the 1A around here.

 

[Queen6]

I've been using my 1Z daily at home and when I go to the 1A to take out it feels like a feather

The Sony's battery life is exceptional as is the sound signature and is a big factor. The Hifiman R2R2K with it's dual R2R DAC's kills the Sony sonically, but you need a truck battery to run it... LOL. As ever swings and roundabouts...

Q-6

 

[gLer]

The Sony's battery life is exceptional as is the sound signature and is a big factor. The Hifiman R2R2K with it's dual R2R DAC's kills the Sony sonically, but you need a truck battery to run it... LOL. As ever swings and roundabouts...

Q-6

Just shows how differently we hear things. I auditioned the R2R2K extensively and just didn't get it. Sounds more Delta Sigma than R2R to me. Not even in the same universe as the 1Z imo.

 

[DrNostalgia1978]

Hello again, everyone! I'm looking for an alternative mrwalkman custom firmware for my Sony walkman nw-a55 that wouldn't remove my FM radio or the VPT surround, and would still have the NW1Z external tuning applied. Are there any other Walkman one versions currently for my device that does this? And is there a mrwalkman firmware that brings the DMP-Z1 sound to the A55?

Thanks!

-Dr. Nostalgia

 

[nc8000]

Hello again, everyone! I'm looking for an alternative mrwalkman custom firmware for my Sony walkman nw-a55 that wouldn't remove my FM radio or the VPT surround, and would still have the NW1Z external tuning applied. Are there any other Walkman one versions currently for my device that does this? And is there a mrwalkman firmware that brings the DMP-Z1 sound to the A55?

Thanks!

-Dr. Nostalgia

I can’t remember if one of the early ones don’t remove those things. All the later ones do as they are based on the 1A/1Z fw that doesn’t have those features. I can send you a link to a zip file that contains all of them and then you can try yourself (I no longer have an A55)