http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1a http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-wm1z New flagship DAPs from Sony, WM1A replaces ZX2, 128GB internal memory, ~$1200, WM1Z is new flagship, gold color (copper construction), 256GB internal memory, ~$3200. Good to see Sony reversing the trend of sky-priced audio products...not.
I blame iRiver for this. The "A&K" was to bamboozle you idiots. I mean, who the heck is Astell? And who is Kern? And why did people pay so much for declining sound quality for each successive model (that is until AK380 with the AKM chips)?
I'll be getting the NW-WM1Z and if enough people are interested I could lend it out for a SBAF tour. Anyone else planning on getting it, or am I the only one batshit crazy (stupid) enough to?
Any tech details on differences between 1a and 1z? Apologies if I missed something obvious on the product pages. Also, what a great day for me to receive the used zx2 that I just bought. Hope it's not too hard to unload if I feel like going a different direction.
There's no mention of dedicated crystal clocks, no super capacitors. Sony is pretty vague this time round compared to how detailed they got with the Zx2 technical design I think it's best to wait for more information and hands on impressions before jumping the gun,
Oh I just think its too new to know everything yet. They don't seem too secretive on the guts, just haven't got around to sharing all the boring innards... http://mashable.com/2016/09/01/sony-nw-wm1z-high-res-walkman/#jURLBQeHzSqu
If the 1A has a USB Dac mode, I'll definitely fit it in my budget. If it doesn't, I'll stick with my AK100ii. That was the killer app that ultimately made me not get the ZX2 after a very satisfying demo.
So based on my brief investigation, it looks the big differences are: Casing (aluminum vs gold plated copper) Internal memory (128gb vs 256gb) Wiring to headphone jack ("normal" ofc vs something designed by kimber cable) Resistors (1z has some fancy new audiophile smd resistors)
Is pricing definite at $1200/3200? A but disappointed that it isn't Android and no wifi. Maybe I should grab that zx2 after all...
I hope Onkyo doesn't go crazy on pricing their new products, I mean DP-X1 might be the last of its kind in terms of pricing if this keeps on going
they could have done it another way by plating it gold after copper plating the aluminum body, or using composite dual-layer frame (copper inside and aluminum outside).