[akhyar]

Even though it is easily driven by portable amp/DAP, I enjoy the most running them from my Oppo HA-1 amp, plugged-in from the balanced out as I re-terminated the stock 2x 3.5mm balanced plugs to the more commonly used 4-pin XLR plug.
 
Some that have auditioned the Z7 in store driven by Sony own portable balanced amp also agreed that the amp doesn't really do justice to the can. I felt that the bass slam is not as clean and sound wobbly and boomy with the Sony amp.
 
Do try it at home using your own desktop amp.

 

[Lorspeaker]

the sony amp didnt do justice to the sony can?...duhhhzzz, someone's gonna lose his job  
i did like the sound out from my E18+sansaclip

 

[czcsfb]

Yes, as I said earlier that I really don't like the sound coming from PHA-3 + Z7 in store, OK I just can't stand how they sound. IMO, Sony did a poor job on making PHA-3 a good enough DAC to pair with Z7. My $550 Denon DA-300USB and $799 MARANTZ HD-DAC1 can do a much much better job than the $999 PHA-3 in store. 

 

[palchiu]

 
I cut Z7's cable to replace to WireWorld's 6.3mm plug, they're not all silver plated wires.

 

[Noir7]

 
 
I cut Z7's cable to replace to WireWorld's 6.3mm plug, they're not all silver plated wires.

 
My only guess is the signal cable use silver while the ground cable still copper base.

 

[citraian]

I was thinking the exact same thing

 

[palchiu]

   
My only guess is the signal cable use silver while the ground cable still copper base.

 
Copper wire for signal.

 

[citraian]

Hmm, are you sure? I mean, why would they do that?

 

[Noir7]

maybe you could use multimeter to check things out, you don't want to swapped the signal cable with the ground cable since im only guessing which cable is which...

 

[nappiguan]

The sales guy may have been intimidated as I knew more about the Sony lineup than he did.  Obviously not a fellow head-fiier.  It also may have been the source as it was a Walkman of some type playing terrible music.  I guess it needs another chance.  This being my first 500 dollar plus buy would the Alpha Dog be a better choice?  I do love the bass.

 

[Mickice]

  The sales guy may have been intimidated as I knew more about the Sony lineup than he did.  Obviously not a fellow head-fiier.  It also may have been the source as it was a Walkman of some type playing terrible music.  I guess it needs another chance.  This being my first 500 dollar plus buy would the Alpha Dog be a better choice?  I do love the bass.

With no experince with the alpha, I do have the bland stock t50rp, the Z7 for me has displayed more sonic sweetness at times than any headphone before it. Every other headphone I own simply produces sound, this is different. 

 

[dweaver]

I suggest taking your best portable setup in and trying the headphone with your rig and music. For me even though my phone is not as good as my desktop rig, I knew if the sound of the Z7 was good from there I would be OK when I got home and hooked it up to my best configuration. Having said all this, what are your currently using for music? Depending on what your current headphone/IEM is the Z7 may simply not sound good because your brain is used to a different signature. I came from a bright headphone/IEM background but just happened to have spent a week reviewing a bass oriented IEM before I heard the Z7 so was able to appreciate the signature of the Z7. But when I first started to listen to a warm signature I fund it incredibly dull and congested, especially the IEM I was reviewing as it had even more bass and was even more polite in the treble as compared to the Z7. 

 

[Jodet]

I keep looking at pricejapan.com for the MUC-B30UM1 kimber cable, but no luck. 

 

[zackzack]

bring it on Sony !!

 

[j0ewhite]

Is the pads on the Z7 changeable?