SONY NW-ZX500
Jan 1, 2020 at 12:32 PM Post #1,486 of 8,695
The first firmware update is mostly bug fixes and not related to sound quality. So it's safe to update.

As for tuning the settings to suit a specific Headphone or IEM, I would say it boils down to personal preferences ultimately. As in some prefer to use Equalizer but some prefer not. Some of us are purist and don't believe in any DSP and rather stick to Direct Source Settings.

But here's my advice or opinions on the Settings:

Gain Settings:
Use Low Gain if you prefer a more laid back sound for your easy to drive iems

Use High Gain if you are running a harder to drive headphones and/or if you prefer a more aggressive sound signature for any of your iems.

DSEE HX AI:
This function is much improved on the ZX507 as compared to previous implentation found on Sony wireless headphones or older walkmans.
The improvement over previous implentation is that it sounds so much less Artificial. It adds much more noticable soundstage height and improves the seperation of musical elements(singer, audience, drums, piano, violin). I felt that DSEE HX effect is more effective with Sony branded earphone maybe it is sony house sound related.

Enable DSEE HX if you feel that Sony DSP can enhance your listening experience or if you use Sony branded headphones/iems.

Disable DSEE HX if you find that it is not compatible to your iem/headphone sound signature or if you are a sonic purist that don't believe in Sony's sound altering DSP or if you think it sounds like artificial crap.

DC Phase Linearizer:
here's my breakdown:
Type A: impact feeling of Bass notes hits more aggressive(thuddy), more upfront in presentation
Type B: impact feeling of Bass notes hits more laid-back(boomy), more background presentation

As for Low, Standard and High:
Low: Sub bass stands out more
Standard: Mid bass stands out more
High: Bass regions(sub-bass, mid bass, upper bass) gets aggregated and presented as mostly one bass note.

I think for bass heads, the best sounding is Type A Low. As this is the most aggressive on the subbass and slams harder.

Type A standard I feel is the most balanced interms of working well with most genres and also offering a good bass feeling.

for listener of jazz or vocals should try Type B Low or Type B standard. Type B makes vocals stand out more.

Vinyl Processor:
This is a tricky one.
I think this DSP effect is harder to nail down in terms of how one prefers the changes offered by the different modes. But I think I would say you can switch off Vinyl Processor and your zx507 will still sound great.

@Whitigir DMPZ1 review does explain the effects very well.

Dynamic Normalizer:
Don't use this function for music listening. Podcast or audiobooks, this function can be useful.
Thanks for the info
 
Jan 1, 2020 at 12:41 PM Post #1,487 of 8,695
Sony ZX 507 truly be used as USB DAC the sony stock music player plays well but only one cannot control the volume and it says usb audio out put sony zx507 screen shot.jpg
 
Jan 1, 2020 at 1:23 PM Post #1,488 of 8,695
One can use it as USB DAC Audio out put and I am using USB audio Player Pro and the problem is you can control the volume through USB audio player pro inbuilt volume control(digital sliding ) not through sony player hardware volume control buttons. Thanks and it is my thoughts that it may be useful to know .
 
Jan 1, 2020 at 3:54 PM Post #1,489 of 8,695
What you guys mean with the implemented EU volume cap? No High-gain available? It is possible to avoid this with other apps like UAPP, Neutron or Hiby?

Also can anyone confirm if it support fast charging with Power Delivery charger?
 
Jan 1, 2020 at 10:19 PM Post #1,492 of 8,695
Layering and imaging of the sounds is quite precise on this player. Speed of transients is very good as well. I hear micro details without treble hotness. Makes for an exciting presentation and easy to just get in to the music. Weighty notes, speedy attack and decay, serious bass, and a neutral to warm sig. What’s not to like?? This player is a win if all you want is to use the stock player.
 
Jan 2, 2020 at 1:37 AM Post #1,493 of 8,695
Pair it to MDR-A1M2 in balanced mode and you will fall in love with these two.

Impactful Bass presentation with texture(this is toned down using DC Linearizer Type B)

Throaty male vocals with lush female vocal that is super engaging to listen to as it is presented very intimately forward in the soundstage.

Pretty High level of coherency (for dynamic driver setup which tends to get congested easily)

Excellent power and loudness handling (doesn't get shouty or distorts from diaphragm breakup)

Relaxed Treble that isn't simbliant but yet still have enough microdetail. Tonality and Timbre is spot on.

Soundstage is pretty intimate like a private recording studio.

Overall I would say this is warmish headphone pairing that works pretty well for long listening as it presents a very smooth analog(not so hyperdetailed) like sound out of the zx507.

This is impressions from a relatively new A1M2. Will update once the headphone has gone through 200hours and beyond.
 
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Jan 2, 2020 at 9:02 AM Post #1,494 of 8,695
What you guys mean with the implemented EU volume cap? No High-gain available? It is possible to avoid this with other apps like UAPP, Neutron or Hiby?

Also can anyone confirm if it support fast charging with Power Delivery charger?

After reading the thread it seems the EU version has volume cap. The good news is it's possible fast charging with PD charger.

What are the best places to import the Japanese version?
 
Jan 2, 2020 at 11:00 AM Post #1,499 of 8,695
what’s a Japanese version ZX500 when they are all made in MY including the 16Gb model sold in CN?

The EU version has mandatory volume cap, there's no High-gain. Just check the thread.
 
Jan 2, 2020 at 3:03 PM Post #1,500 of 8,695
how do we enable USB DAC mode in this? unless I'm missing something... can't seem to find it.

it is simple and only problem is you cannot control the volume from master volume ,just plug usb to headphone jack adapter and automatically the stock music player start playing and if you use USB audio player pro then you can control the volume through the player's digital volume control ( that of the audio pp not of z507) I am using this usb adopter and you can find in Amazon.Thanks
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F2DTTGT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 

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