A good adapter shouldn't make any difference to sound quality. So it's only a matter of convenience such as if you have another source that uses 4.4mm and you don't want to wear out the mmcx plug on the earpiece.
Ok I’ve done some careful trials I’d like to share.
I obtained both my IER-1ZR cables and the original IER-NW510N headphones, set the NW-A100TPS on the table with my FiiO Q3 and a DDhifi usbc-usbc cable. Listening to Gene Ammons Boss Tenor
Test 1: IER-NW510N unbalanced. These are so easy to drive. They’re so light and fit your ear so well that they are a marvel, especially when you’ve been used to stuffing the IER-Z1Rs in your ear. Cutest headphones ever. I have no idea what the sound is for that they make when you tap their ends.
Anyone know? Anyway, they sound excellent and you wish you could use them all the time since they’re so delightful. And the noise cancellation is respectable for a short commute, the ambient sound pass through is excellent. They pair so well with the Walkman functionally that you feel bad removing them.
Test 2: IER-Z1R unbalanced. So much cleaner than the IER-NW510N. Whole different experience as you could imagine. Memorized the profile and moved to balanced
Test 3: IER-Z1R balanced. Initial impression is more separation of instruments but I don’t want to believe it. I doubt myself. I focus and memorize the string bass resonance, the ride cymbal clarity, the saxophone echo, the placement of each instrument vis-à-vis my head, the sound temperature, the sound of the drumstick on the snare rim.
Test 4: IER-Z1R unbalanced. Seems warmer, instruments more scrunched together. I refuse to believe it because balanced is only supposed to be about interference. All tonal qualities are the same, but warmer.
I go back and forth several times refusing to believe it.
Then I realize: when the USB DAC is plugged in it bypasses the Walkman audio settings which all strive to reproduce analog / vinyl experiences rather than live experience.
Test 5: IER-Z1R unbalanced with Sound Direct turned on in the audio settings of the Walkman. Bingo. It wasn’t the cable. It was all the analog settings I had turned on that were only being utilized when I was plugged directly in. Listening to it now I have the same separation of instruments, the same tonal qualities. There is indeed a more personal and up-close warmth, less surgical performance as if I was there, as opposed to the balanced cables which, as you say, seem more about an exhibition of the tech than the live music reproduction.
Unbalanced seem more natural. Balanced seems like I have 6 ears and a direct speaker hooked up to each patching through an individual instrument performing from an isolated sound room.
nanaholic, I’m with you. This Walkman with these IER-Z1Rs unbalanced is really delightful, the combo has spread a smile across my face.
Two questions: 1) What is the beep for touching the end of the IER-NW510Ns on either side? 2) If someone wanted to, noting that there is extra space in the Walkman around the 3.5mm port or where the lanyard attaches, would someone be able to just add or swap the port for a 4.4mm balanced port?