[Mörchingen]

If the new models keep the two mechanical relays installed in the mute circuit of the balanced output which produced this small click so characteristic in the old WM1A/Z (when connecting a 4.4mm socket, or in the event of change in bitrate of the piece listened to), due to the opening of the contacts by electromagnetic action?

Conversely, the ZX300 was not equipped with it.

Simple coquetry or really proven technical improvement?

 

[Gamerlingual]

I see many of you saying that the WM1A/Z aren't powerful enough to properly drive high impedance headphones (such as the HD6XX series).

So... are there any full size headphones that can be properly driven by the WM1A/Z?

For example, the Focal Clear seems to be relative efficient.

I guess I'm asking if there are any full size dynamic and/or planar headphones that are efficient enough to be properly driven by these daps?

MDR-Z7M2, Focal Celestee, Focal Radiance, Drop Panda wired, MDR-Z1R. The list goes on

 

[davidmthekidd]

1Z was designed with the MDR-Z1R in mind. IMHO, I would get a different Dap if someone planed to use the 1Z with any other headphone other than the Z1R IEM or Full size.

 

[buzzlulu]

Completely disagree with the above. Actually many do not like the 1Z with the Z1R (although I am not of this opinion).

1Z + Focal Utopia = PARADISE

 

[johnston21]

Ya, it’s got a flashlight too, for going down stairways after 7 beers!

To get another few.

 

[Vamp898]

I see many of you saying that the WM1A/Z aren't powerful enough to properly drive high impedance headphones (such as the HD6XX series).

So... are there any full size headphones that can be properly driven by the WM1A/Z?

For example, the Focal Clear seems to be relative efficient.

I guess I'm asking if there are any full size dynamic and/or planar headphones that are efficient enough to be properly driven by these daps?

Depends on what you consider properly.

The TA-ZH1ES does have 10-times the power of the WM1Z and the HD660S or HD800S/HD820 still sounds bad with it.

The DMP-Z1 does have significantly less power than the TA-ZH1ES and people seem to prefer the sound of the DMP-Z1 with the HD800S above the TA-ZH1ES. But those have been all tested by different people.

I could drive the 300Ω Sennheiser HD820 without issues with the WM1Z, so i'd be surprised with the 150Ω HD660S would be worse

You should end up with 25-30mW with the HD660S, thats enough to drive them properly.

According to Sennheisers official Datasheet: https://assets.sennheiser.com/global-downloads/file/9756/HD660S_Manual_042021.pdf the WM1Z should have enough power to make you deaf with them.

But to my experience, it won't sound good. The HD820 also didn't sound good at the TA-ZH1ES but did sound pretty amazing with the M11 Plus (which does have less than the half power of the TA-ZH1ES).

I think too many people mix up sound signature with power and see a correlation that is actually not there. Sennheiser Headphones don't pair well with Sonys Sound Signature imho, no matter how much power. I also disliked the HD820 on the DMP-Z1.

There is no other way than testing it for yourself.

 

[gLer]

Depends on what you consider properly.

The TA-ZH1ES does have 10-times the power of the WM1Z and the HD660S or HD800S/HD820 still sounds bad with it.

The DMP-Z1 does have significantly less power than the TA-ZH1ES and people seem to prefer the sound of the DMP-Z1 with the HD800S above the TA-ZH1ES. But those have been all tested by different people.

I could drive the 300Ω Sennheiser HD820 without issues with the WM1Z, so i'd be surprised with the 150Ω HD660S would be worse

You should end up with 25-30mW with the HD660S, thats enough to drive them properly.

According to Sennheisers official Datasheet: https://assets.sennheiser.com/global-downloads/file/9756/HD660S_Manual_042021.pdf the WM1Z should have enough power to make you deaf with them.

But to my experience, it won't sound good. The HD820 also didn't sound good at the TA-ZH1ES but did sound pretty amazing with the M11 Plus (which does have less than the half power of the TA-ZH1ES).

I think too many people mix up sound signature with power and see a correlation that is actually not there. Sennheiser Headphones don't pair well with Sonys Sound Signature imho, no matter how much power. I also disliked the HD820 on the DMP-Z1.

There is no other way than testing it for yourself.

I agree, power is important, but synergy is everything.

 

[Nostoi]

I see many of you saying that the WM1A/Z aren't powerful enough to properly drive high impedance headphones (such as the HD6XX series).

So... are there any full size headphones that can be properly driven by the WM1A/Z?

For example, the Focal Clear seems to be relative efficient.

I guess I'm asking if there are any full size dynamic and/or planar headphones that are efficient enough to be properly driven by these daps?

I found the MSR7B and WP900 worked quite well with the 1A/Z, strictly on balanced.

The Sony headphones themselves sounded devoid of life when pair on these DAPs.

 

[nc8000]

I agree, power is important, but synergy is everything.

And personal preference. Some people LIKE how the Sennheiser phones sound from Sony gear

 

[purk]

But to my experience, it won't sound good. The HD820 also didn't sound good at the TA-ZH1ES but did sound pretty amazing with the M11 Plus (which does have less than the half power of the TA-ZH1ES).

I think too many people mix up sound signature with power and see a correlation that is actually not there. Sennheiser Headphones don't pair well with Sonys Sound Signature imho, no matter how much power. I also disliked the HD820 on the DMP-Z1.

There is no other way than testing it for yourself.

It is all preference and then synergy IMO. Many people including me love the DMP and HD800S combination. I believe that the HD800S needs both power and warmer tonal balanced amplifiers to sound good. The WM1Z has a wonderful tonal balance but it lacks the power to drive them optimally (still I love this combination). The TAZ-H1ES is overly soft and bloomy with a colored midrange....this combination does okay but just isn't a good fit with the HD800S. The DMP tonal balanced is very similar to that of a really good tube amplifiers (lush, organics, and smooth with excellent bass) and it has enough power to drive the HD800/S optimally so this is a winning combination for me. Ultimately, if we have difference preference then what sounds good to you may not sounds good to me. I also have the HD820 and I'm still not sure if I truly enjoy this headphones out of any amp. I personally take a wonderful tonal balance (sound signature) first over power though. I use my HD800S with both my mod WM1A & W1Z around the house a lot because I like it.

 

[Sp12er3]

Well seeing the 1AM2 is going for at least 1500 usd, even if they are gonna be about as good or even better than WM1Z, for the price, I just decided to pick up a 1A for 525 usd.

 

[dennarwhal]

Well seeing the 1AM2 is going for at least 1500 usd, even if they are gonna be about as good or even better than WM1Z, for the price, I just decided to pick up a 1A for 525 usd.

To those who feel the same as him, feel free to drop me a DM ^^

 

[gsiu33]

If ANY DAP lasts you 5y that's a great investment I'd say, even at $3400. Max I've gone with the same DAP so far is one year.

My W1Z just passed 5 years milestone, and Layla still love to pair with it.

 

[dennarwhal]

My journey on the black one just ended and the journey on my gold one just started. It would seem a gold walkman really is a Blessing.

 

[hoofman]

My W1Z just passed 5 years milestone, and Layla still love to pair with it.

My journey on the black one just ended and the journey on my gold one just started. It would seem a gold walkman really is a Blessing.

Beautiful !!!