The Continuation Of The Sony Walkman 1Z/1A Thread!

[Lookout57]

Hi everyone!
I'm new to this forum and hope it's the right place to post.

So I have a neat setup:

1. Sony NW-WM1Z (Walkman, gold)
2. Sony MDR-Z1R (headphones)
3. Sony PHA-3 (portable amp)
4. ddHiFi DJ44S M1 (4.4mm ground pin adapter)

I either use {1,2,3} or {1,2,4}

Right now I use the default Sony headphone cable(s), but in order to use the PHA-3 balanced output I need something else.
The problem is that the Sony MUC-B20SB1 (Kimber Kable) has only an unbalanced output, it's a "Y-cable" (2x IN, 1x OUT), but I need a "H-cable" (2x IN, 2x OUT) with balanced output.
Where can I get such a cable (I saw someone with this type of cable on this forum, but can't remember where) and what is the "best" choice?

Best regards

The Sony MUC-B20SB1 is a 4.4mm male balanced to 3.5mm mini for the headphones.

You would need this https://www.ebay.com/itm/135147820069, look on Amazon for a cheap Chinese adapter (if one exists) or have someone build you a custom cable since it isn't something widely used or available.

 

[proedros]

11 months with the nayparm v5 wm1a , still madly in love with it


hoping steve reappears and continues modding wm1x

more wm1x users need to hear his modded version of these 2 daps

 

[Layman1]

Hi all, wonder if anyone can help?

Someone previously set up 3 EQ pre-sets on my WM1Z; different forms of bass boost that I can use for some of my IEMs (and disabling those presets for use with other IEMs).
Now I'm trying to access them, but realised I don't know how.
I want to listen to each of the EQ pre-sets that were set up for me; can anyone tell me how to do that (and without deleting/overwriting any of them by mistake, and also how to get back to the default (no EQ standard Sony) setting?

I'm using the Walkman One (WM1Z) Plus v2 mode FW from @MrWalkman if that helps).
I usually use the whatever the standard 'no EQ' Sony/Walkman One setting is, along with DSEE HX and Vinyl Processor.


I go to Settings-->Sound.
If I go to 'Sound Settings', there's just an image of an EQ setting with no title, so I don't know if its Setting 1, 2 or 3 (or none of those).

If I go to 'Saved Sound Settings' It has a list of 3 settings (e.g. 'Saved Sound Settings 1' and the other two) but just has a button below saying 'Save Current Settings'
I don't want to press that and delete/overwrite the pre-sets that were made (if that's what it would do?).
Also, I don't even know what the 'current settings' actually is/are!

And if I click on 'Saved Sound Settings 1', it just says 'Overwrite the saved settings with the current settings. Do you want to continue?' ('Cancel' or 'ok'; I clicked 'cancel').
And again, I have no idea how to go back to the default 'no EQ' standard Sony setting that I usually use (although I add DSEE HX and Vinyl Processor usually).

So yeah, lost and all help welcome
Screenshots to help:

 

[Hinomotocho]

Hi all, wonder if anyone can help?

Someone previously set up 3 EQ pre-sets on my WM1Z; different forms of bass boost that I can use for some of my IEMs (and disabling those presets for use with other IEMs).
Now I'm trying to access them, but realised I don't know how.
I want to listen to each of the EQ pre-sets that were set up for me; can anyone tell me how to do that (and without deleting/overwriting any of them by mistake, and also how to get back to the default (no EQ standard Sony) setting?

I'm using the Walkman One (WM1Z) Plus v2 mode FW from @MrWalkman if that helps).
I usually use the whatever the standard 'no EQ' Sony/Walkman One setting is, along with DSEE HX and Vinyl Processor.


I go to Settings-->Sound.
If I go to 'Sound Settings', there's just an image of an EQ setting with no title, so I don't know if its Setting 1, 2 or 3 (or none of those).

If I go to 'Saved Sound Settings' It has a list of 3 settings (e.g. 'Saved Sound Settings 1' and the other two) but just has a button below saying 'Save Current Settings'
I don't want to press that and delete/overwrite the pre-sets that were made (if that's what it would do?).
Also, I don't even know what the 'current settings' actually is/are!

And if I click on 'Saved Sound Settings 1', it just says 'Overwrite the saved settings with the current settings. Do you want to continue?' ('Cancel' or 'ok'; I clicked 'cancel').
And again, I have no idea how to go back to the default 'no EQ' standard Sony setting that I usually use (although I add DSEE HX and Vinyl Processor usually).

So yeah, lost and all help welcome
Screenshots to help:

If I understand, you need to swipe up from the playback screen, disable direct source, then swipe left to access the EQ settings page.

Seeing your 1Z in the TPU case has reminded me to order another one as mine had gone chalky white in storage. It's provides the least protection, but at least shows the 1Z in all its golden glory.

 

[RockLee]

From what I can see, the WM1Z is still an excellent piece of equipment for musical enjoyment. I once owned 2 units, and both left a great impression on me with their sound quality.

I remember buying one of them used, and it came with slightly loose connectors. At first, it didn't bother me because the sound was still good, but the 4.4 mm female input didn't have the firm fit that other DAPs had; it was loose inside and moved around on the outside as well. I always had the feeling that this unit had a small manufacturing defect.

I don't currently own one, but with the continued positive reception of this unit in the community, I'm still tempted by the WM1Z's sonic charm, hehe. I don't know if I should give it another chance... but it's definitely a very tempting decision to buy it again, hehe.

 

[Layman1]

If I understand, you need to swipe up from the playback screen, disable direct source, then swipe left to access the EQ settings page.

Seeing your 1Z in the TPU case has reminded me to order another one as mine had gone chalky white in storage. It's provides the least protection, but at least shows the 1Z in all its golden glory.

Appreciate the suggestion, but it doesn't seem to work
I can see 'Tone Control', with a very limited interface with 3 digital tone knobs (bass, mids, treble).
But nothing about EQ presets.

Anyone?

 

[nc8000]

From what I can see, the WM1Z is still an excellent piece of equipment for musical enjoyment. I once owned 2 units, and both left a great impression on me with their sound quality.

I remember buying one of them used, and it came with slightly loose connectors. At first, it didn't bother me because the sound was still good, but the 4.4 mm female input didn't have the firm fit that other DAPs had; it was loose inside and moved around on the outside as well. I always had the feeling that this unit had a small manufacturing defect.

I don't currently own one, but with the continued positive reception of this unit in the community, I'm still tempted by the WM1Z's sonic charm, hehe. I don't know if I should give it another chance... but it's definitely a very tempting decision to buy it again, hehe.

Both sockets (3.5 and 4.4) move a little as they are not hard soldered to the board. This is intentional by Sony

 

[PeteWright]

Appreciate the suggestion, but it doesn't seem to work
I can see 'Tone Control', with a very limited interface with 3 digital tone knobs (bass, mids, treble).
But nothing about EQ presets.

Anyone?

Hi Layman1,

on my (golden) NW-WM1Z with default Sony Firmware I made some screenshots by pressing [+] (one short press), [-] (one short press) and finally [I/O] (long press until 'power message' appears) sequentially.

See attached screenshots below



Regarding the presets, each bank of a preset (1 to 3) will hold all your settings available depending on your choice:
Case 1 (default): Tone Control, DSEE HX, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, Vinyl Processor
Case 2 (user): Equalizer, DSEE HX, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, Vinyl Processor

If you chose to "Overwrite the saved settings with the current settings." you actually just 'overwrite' the adjustments that you made, nothing to be concerned about.

Hope this helps.

 

[Layman1]

Hi Layman1,

on my (golden) NW-WM1Z with default Sony Firmware I made some screenshots by pressing [+] (one short press), [-] (one short press) and finally [I/O] (long press until 'power message' appears) sequentially.

See attached screenshots below



Regarding the presets, each bank of a preset (1 to 3) will hold all your settings available depending on your choice:
Case 1 (default): Tone Control, DSEE HX, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, Vinyl Processor
Case 2 (user): Equalizer, DSEE HX, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, Vinyl Processor

If you chose to "Overwrite the saved settings with the current settings." you actually just 'overwrite' the adjustments that you made, nothing to be concerned about.

Hope this helps.

er, honestly, I feel a bit lost by that explanation (although of course I really appreciate you taking the time to try to help!)
Let me explain myself a bit more, so that you or anyone can help (hopefully!)

My situation is, someone has already set up 3 EQ pre-sets on my WM1Z.
I just want to be able to select them and change between them, and also just go back to standard Sony/Walkman One tuning when want to, without deleting or overwriting the 3 existing EQ pre-sets?

Also, I usually use DSEE HX and Vinyl Processor, so I need to know if I can use those with the EQ pre-sets that my friend set up (and hopefully without needing to modify those EQ presets)?

 

[MrWalkman]

er, honestly, I feel a bit lost by that explanation (although of course I really appreciate you taking the time to try to help!)
Let me explain myself a bit more, so that you or anyone can help (hopefully!)

My situation is, someone has already set up 3 EQ pre-sets on my WM1Z.
I just want to be able to select them and change between them, and also just go back to standard Sony/Walkman One tuning when want to, without deleting or overwriting the 3 existing EQ pre-sets?

Also, I usually use DSEE HX and Vinyl Processor, so I need to know if I can use those with the EQ pre-sets that my friend set up (and hopefully without needing to modify those EQ presets)?

Go to Saved Sound Settings, and select one of the three.

Ignore this message, press Ok, the text is wrong. It's meant to say that it will overwrite your current effects settings.

For example, I swipe up (to go to the current effects) and set DSEE to On, DC Phase to Type A Low. Then I go to Saved Sound Settings, I select Settings 1, and I press ok. The message is meant to say that my current settings (DSEE On and DC Phase set to Type A Low) will be overwritten by the Settings 1 preset, that's all.

 

[Layman1]

Go to Saved Sound Settings, and select one of the three.



Ignore this message, press Ok, the text is wrong. It's meant to say that it will overwrite your current effects settings.

For example, I swipe up (to go to the current effects) and set DSEE to On, DC Phase to Type A Low. Then I go to Saved Sound Settings, I select Settings 1, and I press ok. The message is meant to say that my current settings (DSEE On and DC Phase set to Type A Low) will be overwritten by the Settings 1 preset, that's all.

Thanks, this is just what I needed! Really appreciate it!
Sorry, just one more question though

I can now change between the 3 EQ pre-sets, but what do I need to do to get back to the default Sony/Walkman One setting? (i.e. a flat EQ line with no adjustments)?
And again, I mean doing that without deleting or overwriting the 3 pre-sets?

 

[MrWalkman]

Thanks, this is just what I needed! Really appreciate it!
Sorry, just one more question though

I can now change between the 3 EQ pre-sets, but what do I need to do to get back to the default Sony/Walkman One setting? (i.e. a flat EQ line with no adjustments)?
And again, I mean doing that without deleting or overwriting the 3 pre-sets?

You'll have to manually adjust the EQ to flat, or just enable Direct Source if maybe you don't need the other effects.

 

[Layman1]

You'll have to manually adjust the EQ to flat, or just enable Direct Source if maybe you don't need the other effects.

got it, thanks a tonne

 

[RockLee]

Both sockets (3.5 and 4.4) move a little as they are not hard soldered to the board. This is intentional by Sony

It's true that the WM1A and WM1Z jacks move a little, but in my experience with the WM1Z, the 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks felt looser than usual. The 4.4mm jack in particular didn't fit properly (the internal prongs), and when you move the connector, the sound would suddenly change—sometimes becoming more distinct, as if there was a loose contact or an unstable connection.

My unit had a serial number with only four digits (e.g., 5xx1111), which made me think that the early 2016 versions might have this defect. In contrast, my WM1A with a higher serial number (e.g., 5x52222) doesn't have this problem. This makes me think it may be a later revision with improvements in this regard.

With the WM1ZM2, Sony kept the same input design but now screwed them in, giving them greater stability.

A few years ago, this behavior was already being discussed on Japanese forums, where it was mentioned that the first units of the WM1A and WM1Z, released between 2016 and 2017, exhibited this problem: the inputs tended to move slightly. There are even some videos online documenting this issue.

https://bbs.kakaku.com/bbs/K0000907179/SortID=20897608/

Even with these details, I consider the WM1Z to be an exceptional device. Its sonic character has a unique personality, and although it may have had some minor manufacturing defects in its early units, its sound quality remains good.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

Gotta say, coming back to toying with the firmware settings, I ended up reverting both gain and DIM to =0, along with not using plus gain, I find it gives the sound the rawest most dynamic the sound can be.

I stay on wm1z settings, I'm not sure why but it seems that the other tunings have different presentations where everything is "tighter" and more pinpoint, while wm1z is more diffuse and bigger.

I toggle between J and J3, but currently leaning towards J3, if it fatigues me in the future I may revert back to J.

Only using DSEE on, sounds terrific.