[kumar402]

Gold

 

[Valrhona]

Gold

Was that the old XE6?

 

[kumar402]

Was that the old XE6?

Yes, this is an old pic

 

[Vamp898]

Friends,

for almost the same price (maybe €100 difference) which of these 2 would you get and WHY?

Sony NW-WM1AM2 Uncapped version
X
Cayin N7 .

I posted this same question in both threads to get mixed opinions.
Important information: I will not play DSD. Only PCM and stream regularly to discover new artists and albums to add to the collection.

Cayin uses off-the-shelve components so i don't see/get why it is that expensive in the first place.

Completely unrelated to sound, in pure terms of production cost, you're getting ripped of with the N7. Buyin ICs/Chips (that cost a few cents) and put them on an PCB can never ever result in an product that is that expensive.

If you do not go for the WM1AM2, rather go for something like the M23. The only reason to buy off-the-shelves is to save money. Buying off-the-shelve and then paying the same price sounds weird to me. Especially when THX AAA Amps.

Just look at this (Everything is off-the-shelve)

Especially those tiny, yellow capacitors (the cheapest from the cheapest)

And compare it with this (Designed and developed by Sony)

With its 21 wound capacitors, designed and developed by Sony

If you think the N7 is worth the price for you, go for it. But its a cheap PCB with some capacitors and ICs bolted to it. Given you have the knowhow, you could built it yourself in your very own lab for less than 300 bucks while you have no chance building the Sony yourself.

 

[Bengkia369]

Cayin uses off-the-shelve components so i don't see/get why it is that expensive in the first place.

Completely unrelated to sound, in pure terms of production cost, you're getting ripped of with the N7. Buyin ICs/Chips (that cost a few cents) and put them on an PCB can never ever result in an product that is that expensive.

If you do not go for the WM1AM2, rather go for something like the M23. The only reason to buy off-the-shelves is to save money. Buying off-the-shelve and then paying the same price sounds weird to me. Especially when THX AAA Amps.

Just look at this (Everything is off-the-shelve)


Especially those tiny, yellow capacitors (the cheapest from the cheapest)



And compare it with this (Designed and developed by Sony)


With its 21 wound capacitors, designed and developed by Sony


If you think the N7 is worth the price for you, go for it. But its a cheap PCB with some capacitors and ICs bolted to it. Given you have the knowhow, you could built it yourself in your very own lab for less than 300 bucks while you have no chance building the Sony yourself.

Wow, I don't know Sony uses so many big custom capacitors that developed by Sony for audio! Great and happy to know that

 

[Vamp898]

Wow, I don't know Sony uses so many big custom capacitors that developed by Sony for audio! Great and happy to know that

The registers are also from Sony, and, of course, the S-Master HX full digital amp.

The capacitors are not manufactured by Sony though. Sony designs/develops them, but manufacturing is done by an non disclosed company (Chances are above 90% they are made by Panasonic though as Sony used Panasonics OS-CON. The first version of FTCAP have been modified OS-CON (and Sony used them in combination) and the 3.5mm still uses Panasonics POSCAP).

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Cayin uses off-the-shelve components so i don't see/get why it is that expensive in the first place.

Completely unrelated to sound, in pure terms of production cost, you're getting ripped of with the N7. Buyin ICs/Chips (that cost a few cents) and put them on an PCB can never ever result in an product that is that expensive.

If you do not go for the WM1AM2, rather go for something like the M23. The only reason to buy off-the-shelves is to save money. Buying off-the-shelve and then paying the same price sounds weird to me. Especially when THX AAA Amps.

Just look at this (Everything is off-the-shelve)


Especially those tiny, yellow capacitors (the cheapest from the cheapest)



And compare it with this (Designed and developed by Sony)


With its 21 wound capacitors, designed and developed by Sony


If you think the N7 is worth the price for you, go for it. But its a cheap PCB with some capacitors and ICs bolted to it. Given you have the knowhow, you could built it yourself in your very own lab for less than 300 bucks while you have no chance building the Sony yourself.

Detailed report!! Indeed, Sony has know-how when it comes to digital players. I want to try to find an uncapped nw1am2 with a good price for delivery in Portugal. Thanks!!

 

[Bengkia369]

Detailed report!! Indeed, Sony has know-how when it comes to digital players. I want to try to find an uncapped nw1am2 with a good price for delivery in Portugal. Thanks!!

I highly recommend Sony Signature series Walkman, I feel it's very musical and very enjoyable to listen to.

 

[Vamp898]

Detailed report!! Indeed, Sony has know-how when it comes to digital players. I want to try to find an uncapped nw1am2 with a good price for delivery in Portugal. Thanks!!

Just get yourself an Japanese Address at https://www.tenso.com/en and then use this address to buy the Walkman at an Japanese Store of your choice (i recommend e-earphone but you can use everything. Even Amazon sells it)

And amazon.co.jp supports english if you want.

 

[MudEnjoyer]

Cayin uses off-the-shelve components so i don't see/get why it is that expensive in the first place.

Completely unrelated to sound, in pure terms of production cost, you're getting ripped of with the N7. Buyin ICs/Chips (that cost a few cents) and put them on an PCB can never ever result in an product that is that expensive.

If you do not go for the WM1AM2, rather go for something like the M23. The only reason to buy off-the-shelves is to save money. Buying off-the-shelve and then paying the same price sounds weird to me. Especially when THX AAA Amps.

Just look at this (Everything is off-the-shelve)


Especially those tiny, yellow capacitors (the cheapest from the cheapest)



And compare it with this (Designed and developed by Sony)


With its 21 wound capacitors, designed and developed by Sony


If you think the N7 is worth the price for you, go for it. But its a cheap PCB with some capacitors and ICs bolted to it. Given you have the knowhow, you could built it yourself in your very own lab for less than 300 bucks while you have no chance building the Sony yourself.

No no no don't look at this... better to go to ASR and buy the latest, best measuring product that will self destruct in 2 months...

 

[Vamp898]

No no no don't look at this... better to go to ASR and buy the latest, best measuring product that will self destruct in 2 months...

At least if you don't look at Multitone performance or use anything else than a sine-wave^^

But ASR wouldn't be ASR if they would do more than just pressing a button in a software and then draw a conclusion

 

[Scubadevils]

Detailed report!! Indeed, Sony has know-how when it comes to digital players. I want to try to find an uncapped nw1am2 with a good price for delivery in Portugal. Thanks!!

I previously owned the Cayin N7 and sold it… I currently own the 1AM2 and the only way I’ll sell it is if I upgrade to the 1ZM2, even then I’ll probably still hold on to both ideally. I’ve been through many DAPs, Sony are my keepers.

 

[Quadfather]

I previously owned the Cayin N7 and sold it… I currently own the 1AM2 and the only way I’ll sell it is if I upgrade to the 1ZM2, even then I’ll probably still hold on to both ideally. I’ve been through many DAPs, Sony are my keepers.

I have both original Signature DAPs. It's good to keep both.

 

[Scubadevils]

I have both original Signature DAPs. It's good to keep both.

Yes my Sony family below - I did also have the ZX507 but sold it which I regret!

1AM2 with me since January
1AM since early 2021
ZX300 I think 2018

 

[roadrat]

Yes my Sony family below - I did also have the ZX507 but sold it which I regret!

1AM2 with me since January
1AM since early 2021
ZX300 I think 2018

Wow. I didn't realize the 1AM2 was that much bigger than the 1AM. Thanks for posting.