Mobile Hifi Rediscovered V2

I own the NW-ZX2 and very good it is too, the only dissapointment I have is that there are a few accessories available for it but not available in the UK, let's hope Sony decide to support this new model properly 

My fairly brief time with a Sony NW-ZX2 has come and gone.  There was much to admire, a little that annoyed, but overall an impressive bit of kit.  So why "goodbye"?  Well, ultimately I had a number of DAPs on hand and whenever I went out on travels or in the car, the Sony got left behind.  While it's beautifully built, seemingly hewn from solid, it's also a little large and fairly heavy. The cost of it also made me a little bit precious about exposing it to the rough tough outside world. The thought of picking up a ding or scratch  was too much to bear.  On the upside, the battery life is excellent - way better than any other I had - and if I were to be away from civilisation for any time longer than a week or so then the Sony would be indispensable.  

The other issue I had with the Sony was that I found the sound just a bit cerebral when paired with my usual headphones.  It reminded me of listening to a big high end Sony disc spinner that I had for a while (hardly surprising I guess).  On the right music it could sound stunning (just so long as the dreadful enhanced sound features were switched off) but otherwise it never quite sucked me in or let its hair down to really groove.  This was brought into some relief by another DAP that I have been using recently, one I had initially dismissed - the Pono Player...

I so didn't want to love the Pono.  A few I know in the industry who had taken an early listen following all the hype were left somewhat disappointed - it's ok, but where's the promised revelation? So I ignored it.  Silly me.  In a way it doesn't stand a chance against the solid, slick Sony.  It looks and feels far more utilitarian, the touch screen is tiny, battery life is not that great, it's a funny shape, I could go on... But it was an itch I felt I had to scratch so I duly purchased a black Pono Player of my own.  And... I've given it time and I have to admit that the Pono has really started to grow on me.  Firstly, I like the toblerone shape. It sits well on whatever surface I place it on. and the rubbery black coating means I can operate the touch screen and buttons without having to hold it still.  The touch screen may be small but it's operable by my large hands and fingers - something that was impossible with the iBasso DX50 I had for a while.  The battery life is not so good but it has been enough to last me without the player running out between charges when I've been travelling.  

The best bit about the Pono though is that it actually sounds pretty damn good.  It doesn't excavate detail like the Sony or excel at frequency extremes - it's a little bit soft but also very natural.  It doesn't grab you from the off, it's more subtle, more stealthy.  I'm not so good at describing what I hear, the best I can do is to say that it makes you want to listen to more music for longer than you planned. It even sounds good connected up to my little NAIT driving n-Sats in the bedroom.  The line level output is 1V so doesn't drive the NAIT to hardness or harshness. They actually seem to complement one another rather nicely.  Oh, and the Pono seems to like Sennheiser HD600s.  I've tried the 600s on most DAPs and the results have not been encouraging.  The Sony, for example, is a complete non-starter here. However, the Pono not only drives them to levels beyond my open pain threshold but there's the promise of even better sound with the 600s via the Pono's secret weapon; a fully balanced output capability. I haven't tried this yet but have ordered a spare cable to make up an appropriate lead fitted with twin 3.5mm plugs.  Should be interesting.

In short, I rather like the Pono.  So long as you avoid the hype and some of the more contentious claims, it's an unpretentious little thing that sounds really good - a sound that grows on you and doesn't seem to fatigue. I believe that Ayre designed the electronics and funnily enough it does sound a bit like my memory of listening to Ayre kit in the States. It makes me wonder what a DAP might sound like with some Naim input in the design - Steve?? Anyway, I'm getting ahead myself. I have an Astell & Kern waiting to be tried but I'm in no rush.  Could it beat the plucky little Pono..?

I like Richard am really worried about marking the Sony,  I house it in a silicone jacket with a screen cover, I like the sound using a app called poweramp and use it with my Sony Z7 headphones, it also streams well via Bluetooth in my Car , so gets used quite a bit, the build quality is excellent, but the software is a little slow and I think old, there's also tidal and Spotify so very flexible.  Hey I've even got kodi on it so a jack of all trades,

Good story Richard. I have to be honest just heard the Pono for a short while and it didn't leave a lasting impression. I almost have my Sony from the beginning and haven't been dissapointed at all. During my holiday it was again a pleasure for long listening period. While I also have to admit that's rather well paired with my Shure 846...... Is it the best possible thing on the market...., don't know but I am very happy with the combination of unbeatable features. Just would have loved a 2nd card slot.

I guess I will not be in the market for the new toy as it is my eyes too much of a guilty pleasure, but at the same time I am dying to have a listening session with it.

for 25 quid Ive picked up a sands clip and its a lot of fun long battery life and I won't feel like a fool if I lose it!

Hi Richard. How was your time with the astell?? 

Are Naim working on a dap? 

Great idea if they are. 

Steven, I have no idea if Naim have any DAP plans - just an idle wish on my part.  

The Astell & Kern is fine - very slick and shiny.  It sounds brighter than the Pono, seems to drive the HD600s to a decent volume but there's a hint of thinness there and a shininess to the top end that's not as natural.  Early days though and now I have my P7s back from B&W, I'll give them a go as well...

Bert, try as I might I just couldn't fall in love with the Sony. Maybe pairing with the Shures may have changed my mind, but I don't like IEMs at all - I don't like the feel of them in my ears.  The Pono was initially a bit underwhelming, particularly when it was new, but I gave it a chance and after some weeks use it really grew on me.  It's sweet and unfatiguing but also emotive and engaging too. I also rather like its sense of purpose - there's no internet browser, wifi or bt, it's just a music player and nothing else. It's not at all flashy - it's modest and understated (silly blue "Pono Hi Res" light apart).  The incredible thing is that when I listen to it, whether through the 600s or connected to the NAIT via Naim 3.5mm to DIN  lavender i/c, I don't feel like I'm making any great sacrifices.  Yes, it errs on the softer, sweeter, more soulful side of things, but in a DAP I'd rather that than the other way round. No, it's not perfect, but it's still very likeable and enjoyable and what is clear is the feeling that it was designed by people who are really passionate about music.  Which is always a good sign in my book...

I love my zx2 but needs a pair of good iems such as noble k10,the EU version is volume caped and drives only iems, new Walkman is not my cup of tea because there is no streaming

The Asian market did not need/want streaming so they cut it out is the logic behind it and it puss me off 

Check lotto pawn gold for best sound