Not sure if it's comparable, but I've used XBA-A2 and now currenlty using A1 (the successors of XBA-H series).

Comparing to stock headphone, there should be a noticeable increase in sound quality.
I haven't compared with using an amp and DAC, so no comments there.

I would only comment on erm, Spotify.

IMO, the sound quality of Spotify Premium (which they claim as 320 kb Ogg), is really not that great.

See if you can get a high-quality rip of a song, e.g. Flac or 320 kb Ogg/MP3 that is properly, try putting that song in your phone and comparing it with the one in Spotify. Do that with a few songs. If you don't notice any difference or happy with what Spotify offers, then good for you.

I'm currently using tidal, just regular version (non Flac, 320 AAC).
I agree that even with Flac and non-flac on my Walkman, I can't really tell the difference.

I think Spotify is quite hit and miss. I agree some songs can't tell the difference, but some songs are quite obvious. Enrique iglesias Bailamos and few others. AFter listening for a while, usually I get a headache. Rather than risk which song is good or bad, I just avoid it.

In my opinion, it's just a difference in cataloguing and accessory type.

The former (with N) is built for Walkman or audio devices, so it doesn't have a mic.
The latter is built for Xperia or mobile phones, so it should come with mic.

You'll note that the former is under audio section in the Sony website and the latter is under sonymobile.

As for sound quality, i don't think there should be much difference.
However, in my Xperia Z3 music app --> Sound Settings --> Headphones, it lists:

1. NW750N: Sony noise-cancelling headphones for Walkman
2. NW750: Sony noise-cancelling headphones for Xperia.


So I'm a bit curious why they have a separate option for both, as I assumed the sound quality should be the same.
Btw, I have the NC-31 that came with my Walkman F886, and under the audio settings there is also:
1. NC31/NC033/NC33/N33S: Sony noise -cancelling headphones for Walkman
2 NC31E/EM: Sony noise-cancelling headphones for Xperia.

Well I guess it depends on what you plan to use the earphone with mostly.

If with Walkman and you don't care about phone calling, maybe the 750N might be better.

Hm, what's that? New products coming? My wallet is getting itchy....

Hm.. no earphones?

Also, is Sony phasing out Android from Walkman? I'll be sad if my F886 dies, because I use it to stream Tidal.

Edit: Checked out Head-fi, saw there are announcements for new IEMs:

http://www.sony.com.sg/electronics/in-ear-...phones/xba-n1ap
http://www.sony.com.sg/electronics/in-ear-...phones/xba-n3ap

Looks nice, hope to check them out.

This post has been edited by jonoave: Sep 1 2016, 11:37 PM

So sad, was looking for a good android walkman to play streaming music (I"m currently using Tidal).

Really, I thought android build is for standard music ..only recently they introduced support for higher resolution audio.

Anyway, comparing between my current sony-nwz f886 and xperia z3, I do notice a slight difference in audio quality (same song, same earphones).

Not really useful for me. When I said streaming, I meant music I don't have, that's why I'm using Tidal and not streaming from a local library.

And I would prefer to have some good hardware for streaming, but sadly it seems Sony is not interested to cater for people like me anymore.

Hi to sifus out there,

Since Sony doesn't seem to be interested to make new Android Walkman players, I have gotten a portable DAC (Sony Pha-1a) to run it with my Xperia Z3 and for now, with my Walkman f886. Both devices should be supported by Pha-1a.
https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/support-info.pl?info_id=1569

The xperia z3 had no problems connecting to the DAC and I could get the output sound from headphone jack of the DAC.

But for my Walkman, there is no sound coming out from the headphone jack of the DAC. Based on the instructions website above, it states that I should upgrade to Android 4.4 - but the last firmware for the Walkman is stuck on Android 4.1. Could this be a problem?

Anyone has any ideas out there? Or how do I contact Sony for troubleshooting? Or did Sony provide incorrect information, and in that case can I get refund?

Thanks!

Edit: False alarm. After a few more attempts of twiddling, now the DAC works with my Walkman. Wonder why it didn't work before.

This post has been edited by jonoave: Sep 20 2017, 12:29 AM

Did anyone receive this email - some new IEM were launched recently and i wasn't even aware of it.
Thought they already launched all their new electronics in IFA this year.

Only available to view in the US version of the website

https://www.sony.com/electronics/in-ear-hea...1L1PAUDMOREINFO

Three IEMS:
IER-Z1R $2,299
IER-M7 $1,499
IER-M9 $799

They seemed to be studio monitors so I guess they focus more on accurate reproduction, not sure it will appeal to casual music fans.

Thanks for the heads-up. Not sitting on a lot of cash these days, might skip them or pick them up much later next year..

Will be interested to see the reviews for itt.

Looks really cool. I also used a bluetooth IEM for sports but for me I'm not sure i can give up my portable amp + wired IEM for daily listening.