[LFC_SL]

Have not forgotten Lotoo LPGT / Titanium are also non-streaming players unless you receive BT audio from something else. I think Lotoo are priced a touch high (no pun intended) given no onboard SSD (this is my personal scoring matrix only)

I have a custom Rn6. With the right tips, Xe6 is just as comfortable. Tips are so underrated, but probably one of the most important parts of the chain.

Yeah I am pretty much all in on customs, but am willing to make an exception for "potentially interesting" in universal form only like the Nightjar Duality (name tbc) or eventual future Sony. However I totally get customs have a number of barriers to entry

 

[CharlyBrown]

Glad you're finally getting to hear and enjoy it for yourself. I had a sneaky suspicion you'd love it. Perfect combination of size, UI, speed and tonality, and like you say, still right up there with the best technical performers today. The fact that it's still the best made, best looking DAP around after 5 years is quite something. It's a masterpiece that I'll never sell because I don't think we'll see the likes of it again, and synergy with certain IEMs - and Z1R in particular - is incredible. You should have a listen to Z1R again with the WM1Z, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised (again).

PS. Not sure if you've installed @MrWalkman's firmware on it yet, but the world of possibilities this opens up is next level - for free, and with zero SQ compromises. Seek out the dedicated thread when you're ready to explore.

Can this firmware be installed on all Z1Rs? Will it remove the Euro volume cap maybe?

 

[psklrdk]

Can this firmware be installed on all Z1Rs? Will it remove the Euro volume cap maybe?

Firmware on Z1r?

 

[LFC_SL]

Can this firmware be installed on all Z1Rs? Will it remove the Euro volume cap maybe?

Sony IER-Z1R is an in ear monitor

Old non-Android Sony players located in EU region can have high gain enabled using the rockbox tool free of charge. Or use Mr W's firmware. Mr W is about unlocking more software features and his or her own sound profiles (Mr W does not disclose the EQ changes)

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool#Getting_the_tool

Sony only sell Android players now. Android based Sony players with no high gain cannot be unlocked. Sony has also began to remove high gain for more countries for recent Android players so do you research. Japan / HK has high gain for Sony Android players, change language to English

 

[RonaldS86]

Can this firmware be installed on all Z1Rs? Will it remove the Euro volume cap maybe?

Firmware on Z1r?

Sony IER-Z1R is an in ear monitor

Old non-Android Sony players located in EU region can have high gain enabled using the rockbox tool free of charge. Or use Mr W's firmware. Mr W is about unlocking more software features and his or her own sound profiles (Mr W does not disclose the EQ changes)

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool#Getting_the_tool

Sony only sell Android players now. Android based Sony players with no high gain cannot be unlocked. Sony has also began to remove high gain for more countries for recent Android players so do you research. Japan / HK has high gain for Sony Android players, change language to English

Being confused on Sony's product name is easily forgiven I think
Actually most of Japanese brand love to give their products a rather difficult name using alphanumeric. Are they naming a product or making a password

 

[gLer]

For me that describes Z1R’s sound.

Boomy is the last word I'd use to describe Z1R sound, though if it does have any bass bleed, it's the good kind only.

 

[psklrdk]

Being confused on Sony's product name is easily forgiven I think
Actually most of Japanese brand love to give their products a rather difficult name using alphanumeric. Are they naming a product or making a password

This is true. Lately i wanted to get familiar wit the Acoustune model lineup. It is though to remember the models.
For Example : HS2000MX SHO - Sho - MKII

 

[Leviathant]

Sony only sell Android players now. Android based Sony players with no high gain cannot be unlocked. Sony has also began to remove high gain for more countries for recent Android players so do you research. Japan / HK has high gain for Sony Android players, change language to English

uh oh. That’s annoying. Why would they be removing high gain outside of the EU?

Oh and you let me demo your Z1R at CanJam London this year. Thank you very much for that. I’m also tempted to get one eventually to pair with my Sony dap.

 

[Neweymatt]

I have a custom Rn6. With the right tips, Xe6 is just as comfortable. Tips are so underrated, but probably one of the most important parts of the chain.

Comfort is one thing, sound is something else entirely. My custom Xe6 has noticeably improved coherence vs the universal, which sounded disjointed between bass and upper mids by comparison.

Tips are overrated, a necessary evil of dealing with universals imho.

 

[LFC_SL]

uh oh. That’s annoying. Why would they be removing high gain outside of the EU?

Oh and you let me demo your Z1R at CanJam London this year. Thank you very much for that. I’m also tempted to get one eventually to pair with my Sony dap.

No worries

The WM1A/1Z Mk2's have high gain in North America. But I read no high gain for North America ZX707. I believe Singapore ZX707 also lacks high gain. Before anyone says other manufacturers sell whatever they want, Sony are likely more of a target for litigation and likely have a more established internal compliance team enforcing these things. Sony makes money from Playstation and Spiderman films, they do not need a sideshow

 

[Benno1988]

Comfort is one thing, sound is something else entirely. My custom Xe6 has noticeably improved coherence vs the universal, which sounded disjointed between bass and upper mids by comparison.

Tips are overrated, a necessary evil of dealing with universals imho.

Tips are for poor people who can't afford customs.

 

[MudEnjoyer]

Tips are for poor people who can't afford customs.

You clearly underestimate what the average head-fier spends on tips.

 

[Benno1988]

You clearly underestimate what the average head-fier spends on tips.

Yeah I know, you guys are nutters

 

[RonaldS86]

Comfort is one thing, sound is something else entirely. My custom Xe6 has noticeably improved coherence vs the universal, which sounded disjointed between bass and upper mids by comparison.

Tips are overrated, a necessary evil of dealing with universals imho.

Tips are for poor people who can't afford customs.

This is quite a strong statement
Going universal is not about don't have money to buy the CIEM version of an IEM.
I prefer universal because I can sell it again and I can use the fund for my new toys. I'm not a collector too so I don't want to have too many. Let's assume you're just joking with your statement

 

[LFC_SL]

May have been a joke or humour. Some forumers have spent a modest fortune on universal IEM and universal tips , albeit tips can be used with more than one monitor