Sony NW-WM1Z/WM1A DAPs

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by mrweirdude, Sep 1, 2016.

  1. Imraan

    Imraan Friend

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    Found elsewhere:
    "For those who wants to display cover art for files like wav dff etc, you need to place the picture (baseline jpg or non-interlace png, no larger than 4096 px x 4096 px) in the folder and then rename the cover art file with the same name as the folder. Once you've done that it will show up."
     
  2. Imraan

    Imraan Friend

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    @obsiCO
     
  3. obsiCO

    obsiCO Thai Fish Experiment Gone Wrong

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    Aw, about the same latency as with ZX300 then. Appreciate the update!
     
  4. Drifterxny

    Drifterxny Friend

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    Can it be confirmed that the update wipes out the high gain output firmware hack for eu models? Think I read that in one of the earlier posts.
     
  5. t3hwx9

    t3hwx9 Acquaintance

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    It definitely doesn't. The region/sound pressure limit setting is preserved no matter of upgrades/downgrades.
     
  6. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Finally got around to updating my 1Z with the new 3.0 firmware. Am so happy with the Bluetooth receiver function!!!

    One of my use cases is watching movies on planes as I travel, and I use my iPhone for American's online movies (a service that works far better than it should for something coming from AA) and hate having to switch from my CIEMs to the Airpods to watch the movie - especially since the background noise on planes is so bad with the Airpod buds. Now I don't have to switch out my earphones. Yay!
     
  7. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    It's almost 2019, still worth it to pick up a WM1A?

    Stupid question to ask, but I really want to invest in a real DAP setup with a good IEMs. It appears the Campfire Solaris might be up my alley, and I'm getting sick of the Chi-Fi DAPs (mostly good hardware, but shit on software. I'm looking at your Fiio).

    I know there's the $700 ZX300, but I prefer the design of the WM1A to my taste. However, I don't like that Sony is still being Sony on their proprietary cable, possible folder art issues, and forced to stream by using a smartphone device. At least my Fiio X5 3rd while mostly being a POS does allow me to access Qobuz and Tidal on it's Wifi connection by installing USB Audio Player Pro.

    So for me, it might be worth it getting the WM1A if it creams a lot of the lower end DAPs and provide long term good sound (and I guess get connectors to try out the balance input). Could work well with the Solaris me thinks.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
  8. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    - I would definitely recommend the 1A over the ZX300, although one could pick up a ZX300A for $380 from joybuy.com

    - The 1A, via its 4.4mm Balanced, does cream some well known lower priced DAPs. But I don’t think it is worth the retail price of $1200. I would say, $750 is a good price and it performs accordingly

    - For around $900, you could get a iBasso DX200+Amp8 combo, which apparently sounds better than the 1A (feedback from some reliable friends of mine). But in terms of UI and reliability, 1A would have the advantage. 1A also works well for sensitive IEMs, in terms of hiss

    - It’s hard to tell when Sony might release a successor, and thereby making the 1A an outdated model. My guess is end of 2019

    - Don’t let the 4.4mm balanced deter you, as more and more DAP manufacturers are starting to prefer and adopt it, over the 2.5mm and 3.5mm balanced ports
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
  9. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Hey man, thank you so much. It's temped to get the ZX300A, but I do prefer the design of the 1A. It's like when I picked up my Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact phone, it's semi-outdated but I knew the design would serve me well.

    I had an iBasso DAP before (DX50), it wasn't a bad DAP. Just the screen started to have problems with black bars and it was sluggish at times (at least it was a warm sounding DAC). Then I had a HiFiman which the screen cracked just by putting it in a loose pocket in my pants (plus no gapless). Then my Fiio X5 3rd is bugs galore (which the only way to reduce the bugs is to run custom firmware and install USB Audio Player Pro). Then the battery life on that isn't too great. And now you know why my interest in Chinese DAPs is going downhill to the way of the toilet when I eat too much beef. Software bug this and that, crap internals, I'm getting sick of tired of it. I love to stream at least, and the new FW on the 1A might be a middle ground for me.

    Also I want to do more IEMs and at least looking for a DAP that doesn't hiss. At least I feel better that the 4.4mm is coming common in the market (which is fair, 2.5mm is too small).

    Decisions Decisions. Can I just get a high-end DAP that doesn't suck? Keep the comments flowing guys, the lock-down of the 1A might be enough to prevent me from too crazy, I hope....
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I still remember that hunk of shit known as the iBasso DX100. Friends don't let friends buy iBasso. And iBasso stuff isn't cheap.

    Consider a used Sony ZX2. People were running around selling their ZX2 for Sony's latest and greatest for a while. In the overall scheme of things, not big differences; and really with IEMs and on the go, who cares that much. I still have my ZX2 and intend to keep using it until it breaks or until something else comes out that is significantly better.

    For USB powered stuff, Schiit Fulla 2. Just because I am cheap. The most current iteration sounds different (better) from an earlier iteration - more Modi 3 like. Haven't had time to explore this. It sounds no worse than Chord Hugo 2. Different. but not worse.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
  11. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    ^^^ Still rocking the ZX2 is a testament to how well Sony does with most of their DAPs (Maybe not the ZX100)...
     
  12. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Thanks guys! I'll have to think about it for awhile so I can play my audio hardware purchases for 2019. :)
     
  13. EagleWings

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    If I was able to afford, I would happily spring for one of the $3k TOTL DAPs. Because they do set themselves apart from the mid-tier and low tier DAPs in terms of soundstage, separation, transparency and resolution. What's bad though is, these devices depreciate steeply in value, in just a few years. Plus, the battery would need replacement in a few years. I feel the 1A for $800 meets a nice sweetspot. It may not offer TOTL level performance, but at least you wouldn't be spending a fortune. Also its quite silent, so you wouldn't have to worry about hiss with most IEMs.

    When it comes to hiss, both the DAP and the IEM are responsible. Most current day DAPs don't hiss with low to medium sensitive IEMs. There are some IEMs notorious for hiss such as; Zeus, SE846, Andro etc. These IEMs hiss out of most sources out there. The reason I bring this up is, if you want to avoid hiss, you probably want to stay clear of hissy IEMs, apart from choosing a DAP with a low noise floor. From what I gather, Solaris is not as bad as the Andro when it comes to hissing, but it still hisses with some sources. But good news is, this gentleman says that the Solaris doesn't hiss out of the 1Z. Which is an indication that the IEM wouldn't hiss with the 1A.

    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/campfire-solaris.891180/page-142#post-14646009
     
  14. Mimouille

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    Hey has anyone successfully amped the WM1Z / A, just to add a lick kick to the sound when using it as a USB DAC / at home or the office?
     
  15. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Yes, have connected thru 3.5mm to rca to zana deux and my preamp/skeapers.
    Very good overall.
    But , with iem, I’m decided that nwwm1z dac mode sound worse than using it as dap.
    Same files, computer using audirvana
     
  16. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

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    Worse how?
     
  17. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Because USB sucks.
     
  18. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Just a little bit. I would guess a 20% loss in audio quality. But I use it because it’s fun to explore tidal.
     
  19. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    Can anyone here comment on the ZX300? Is it a significant drop in sound quality/performance than the 1A? I keep hearing that Solaris really shines out of Sony DAPs and the ZX300 seems like the most logical choice for me.
     
  20. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Its not possible to quantify the difference. But if you are planning to spend $500 on a ZX300, I'd say 'DON'T' and I'd advise getting the 1A. You could pick up a ZX300A from joybuy.com for around $370. But $370 is still a lot of money that I feel could be put to better use towards a 1A. The R6 Pro would also be a better option. In my comparison R6 sounded considerably better than the ZX300. I hear the R6Pro is a slight improvement in sound quality over the R6.
     

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