Sony NW-WM1Z/WM1A DAPs

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

  1. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    I'm in Canada and joybuy is not an option sadly. Currently the WM1A runs about $1500 here which is well beyond what I'm willing to pay for a DAP at this point, so I thought the $700 ZX300 would be a pretty good compromise. The R6 Pro has been on my radar for a while and I think we should have some available at Headphone Bar here within a month. I've heard it hisses on Solaris but fortunately I'd be able to demo first. I'm super stoked on the EQ capability of the R6 and hearing that it's a big step up in sound I might just hold off. Thanks for the info.
     
  2. Mimouille

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    So how to listen to music on your computer?
     
  3. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    I had both the ZX300 and WM1A at the same time. WM1A sounded a tiny bit better (I remember it sounded a bit more spacious and dynamic), but I sold it in favor of the ZX300 because I never wanted to carry that big chunk of aluminum anywhere that would warrant owning a DAP.

    I’m pretty sure the WM1A only has a marginal power output advantage compared to the ZX300, so it’s not really any more versatile IMO.

    If you want better sound quality go for the WM1A, but I thought the ZX300 was the better deal overall. A used ZX2 would be a good choice as well as long as you’re not planning on using it with full sized headphones.
     
  4. EagleWings

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    While it's the most simplest and convenient route, the sound quality of USB is sub-par. And sadly it’s a compromise that a lot of us are living with. There are other ways to circumvent the limitations of USB, like using a Music Server or a Roon Endpoint or Dante Network or DDC to convert from USB to SPDIF etc to feed the DAC. But these options are not cheap. And in your case, the best option is to play the files on the WM1Z directly for best SQ. But if you do want to play from your PC, USB is always an option. You just won't get the same quality as playing on the 1Z.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2019
  5. EagleWings

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    Keep an eye out for a used 1A on head-fi. Every now and then I see people selling it for $700 (USD), which is a good deal for the 1A.
     
  6. bengo

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    I guess it depends on your preferences, the R6 seems to be Sabre-based (ES9028Q2M). I would say the ZX2 has a quite different character to any delta-sigma.
     
  7. EagleWings

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    I have heard the glare on other Sabre based DAPs like the Fiio X7 and Onkyo DP-X1. Despite being Sabre based, R6 is actually glare/grain free in the treble and its part of the reason why I kept it. I can't talk for the ZX2, but the treble on ZX300 has more glare than the R6.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
  8. Rockwell

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    Can anyone comment on the hiss factor of the WM1A with a sensitive(ish) IEM like the Solaris? Or if pairing with the Solaris specifically would be a good choice? I'm getting mixed impressions from reading around.
     
  9. EagleWings

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    1A and 1Z do have a feeble hiss with sensitive iems, but not to a level of being distracting. Meaning, it can be heard when no music is playing or during silent packages, but becomes undetectable when the music is playing. I have not tested the DAPs with the Andro and Solaris, but my friend says the feeble hiss exists. I have tried it with my Zeus and Phantom and I did detect the feeble hiss.
     
  10. Rockwell

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    I actually decided to go with the ZX300. The combination of portability (a big deal to me right now) and the fact that I'll save between $400 and $800 Canadian on the WM1A (depending on whether I purchase new or used) makes it the most sensible choice for me right now. I looked into the R6 Pro but there's a review on Headfonics which indicates that the Pro is prone to all sorts of noises with Solaris and that kind of spooked me. That said I've had my heart and curiosity set on Sony for a while and I feel that if I don't at least try I won't be able to stop wondering. The bright side is that factoring in conversion the ZX300 sells used in the US for roughly what it costs new Canadian so I can always flip it if it turns out it's not what I want.
     
  11. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Interesting, after our conversation, I have tried audirvana only, closed all other programs in the notebook and screen was in sleep mode. Maybe I’m high on drugs, but now it seems Sony Walkman DAC MODE sound quality it’s very close or equal to dap function. Sorry, I can differentiate the sound quality but I’m too dumb to describe it in words... and English it’s not my native language.
     
  12. Mimouille

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    Yes but that's not practical I need to work at the same time
     
  13. ValarMorgouda

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    You made the right choice. For a month or so, I had both and learned a lot! For instance, the WM1A has more hiss with the Solaris than the ZX300. On the 1A, you can hear it pretty noticeably when there is no music playing, but you can also hear it during some quieter music such as classical. On the ZX300, its there but a lot less noticeable and your brain will tune it out after a minute or two. Not so much with the 1A.

    I think that a lot of people who say that the WM1A is significantly better than the ZX300 have never had both at their disposal for an extensive period of time.

    I first bought the WM1A because people have been running around saying "its at least has 20% improvement in SQ over the ZX300! I was very happy with it, but after a while I needed something more portable. I bought the ZX300 as a sidekick to the WM1A and to my surprise, ended up selling the 1A.

    This is gonna sound controversial, but to me, they are equal in sound quality. I compared for weeks. I even did a blind test.

    Some evidence to suggest why this might be:
    If you go on the Sony product pages for the ZX300, WM1A, and WM1Z, scroll down to specifications, all three players have "S-Master HX digital amplifier for pure sound quality." Sony is very secretive about their dap/amp specs and this is the only info they give. If you pay attention to certain other forums, you'll notice that every time sony issues a Firmware update, they also re-tune the sound a little bit. I've noticed the changes myself. I know that this isn't supposed to be a thing, but its real. Usually its for the better, but one update on the WM1A made it sound metallic and shrill.. so I know its not placebo. Anyway, my point was that perhaps Sony differentiates the sound of these three daps through software.

    I noticed that you can even volume match them. The WM1A is louder by one volume notch/120.

    I don't know how to account for the WM1A having more hiss than the ZX300.

    This is not to say that the WM1A isn't an improvement on the ZX300, but not when it comes to sound.

    The battery is significantly better, though the ZX300 certainly isn't anything to scoff at. The screen is a lot nicer, and it gets more dim for night listening. The buttons are amazing. I f'ing loved the buttons on the WM1A. Then, I loved how it showed the bitrate of the current song at the top of the screen. I so wish that the ZX300 did this.

    I'll end this here, but I am confident in my findings in regards to this. A lot of people wish for the WM1A to sound better because its more impressive looking and costs more, but I don't think they are very different in that regard. I will say, however, that perhaps I don't have as good of hearing as some people. My doctor told me that I have excellent hearing after a test a year back, but I didn't look at the numbers.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2019
  14. Rockwell

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    FYI your input played a role in my decision (funny that we've talked about this on HF, Reddit and now here :). Based on all the reading I did comparing the two went from "The ZX300 sounds about 90% as good as the WM1A" to "the two are indistinguishable". I believe it was you referred specifically to the similarity in sound quality in balanced mode. Ultimately the difference in cost (between $400 and $800 depending on if I bought new or used) and portability outweighed sound quality so even if it turns out that the WM1A is 10% better the trade-off is worth it for me right now. I just ordered a balanced cable today and I'm counting the days until my ZX300 arrives :)
     
  15. ValarMorgouda

    ValarMorgouda New

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    Looks like we're chasing each other through all of the forums. I'm just trying to spread the word lol. I hope you'll be happy with it!

    The one thing I wish it did is native streaming. I'm eagerly anticipating to see what Sony releases later this year. Their 40th anniversary of Walkman should produce something interesting.
     
  16. Rockwell

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    I'm sure I will be :D

    I thought about that but knowing Sony there's always the chance that I'd have to sell one of my kidneys to be able to afford it. Either way it's been established that the current lineup is quality so at the very least I'm getting something good now and at worst I'll get the itch to upgrade in a year or two.

    I just looked at your location and it appears we're pretty much neighbors. :)
     
  17. Mimouille

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    I play files directly on the WM1Z for Flac files, but sometimes I stream to listen to knew music I don't have (yet). In that case, what would be the best option to transmit from computer to WM1Z? Or is it better to get a DAC with more inputs and geta DDC that would convert USB to optical or something else?
     
  18. Mimouille

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    To complete my previous question, I often find music from Spotify through the WM1Z as too bassy. Could that be related to WM1Z as a DAC or is it just that Spotify sucks? I should test on tracks I have.
     
  19. EagleWings

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    To get the best out of streaming, people typically go for a device called music streamers that cost anywhere from $500 to $5000, and they typically use services like Tidal, as Spotify is not particularly known for its sound quality. So if you are only going to use your PC only for streaming from Spotify, it may not be worth it to invest in such devices and chains. But if you are really particular and don’t want to spend a lot, you could look into the Google Chromecast Audio, which apparently has a very good digital output via toslink. But then, you’d need a DAC that accepts toslink.

    Bottom line: if you are going to use your PC only for Spotify, it may not be worth upgrading your chain.

    I use Spotify myself, but I haven’t doen any keen listening when streaming. One way to find out is to use a MP3 track and load it on your 1Z, as well as your PC and compare how it sounds when played out of your 1Z vs PC. On you PC try playing it with Spotify and some other software that does bit perfect. If the track sounds bassy when played via both Spotify and the other program, then it’s the 1Z. If it’s bassy only when playing via Spotify, then we know who the culprit is.
     
  20. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Spotify sucks hard. If you can do it, try tidal master. I do think it’s very good with Walkman dac.
    Another option, it’s schiit lyr3 with Multibit dac. Or the modi multi bit with schiit vali. You now could add the Eitr. I have it at work with a sennheiser hd650 and worth every penny. Very confortable and a hole different experience from IEM. I do use sometimes with the shure 535 when people are making noise, and it’s very good.
    If money is no problem, Hugo2 seems to be very good in some people perceptions. Probably same level of Sony nwwm1z with a better usb dac implementation. Glad to see that you are in the headphone path lol. Couple of year ago I asked you about headphones, and you reply me that you only had iem.
     

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