NW-A45's Setup

[BirhangZ]

Hello team,

I have a few questions.
I bought the Sony NWA-45

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-a40-series#product_details_default

I bought this to headset, ATH-SR5, to pair with the player

ATH-SR5

Bringing the best in high-resolution audio quality to an on-ear headphone, the SR5 beautifully combines lightweight portability and precision design with Audio-Technica’s unrivalled sound fi ...

eu.audio-technica.com

I was told by the staff in an audio store that the Walkman will not be able to drive the headphone to its full potential.
It seems that the output itself is too weak.

Is there any way to get around it? Or should I just get another player.

So far, at least it's an awesome DAC.

Best,

Bir

 

[Gray]

Hello team,

I have a few questions.
I bought the Sony NWA-45

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nw-a40-series#product_details_default

I bought this to headset, ATH-SR5, to pair with the player

ATH-SR5

Bringing the best in high-resolution audio quality to an on-ear headphone, the SR5 beautifully combines lightweight portability and precision design with Audio-Technica’s unrivalled sound fi ...

eu.audio-technica.com

I was told by the staff in an audio store that the Walkman will not be able to drive the headphone to its full potential.
It seems that the output itself is too weak.

Is there any way to get around it? Or should I just get another player.

So far, at least it's an awesome DAC.

Best,

Bir

Regardless of what anyone said, have you actually found it too weak for you?
Is there any sort of volume limiter (for ear protection) in the menu that needs to be disabled?

 

[BirhangZ]

I have already disabled that, the EU limiter, I removed it.

That's the question, I can't say for sure if it's weak.
Personally, based on the other earphones I have used, I think it's not weak.

I mean, the staff are professionals.
I'm just wondering if I'm not fully utilizing the headphones potential.

What do you think?

 

[Gray]

I have already disabled that, the EU limiter, I removed it.

That's the question, I can't say for sure if it's weak.
Personally, based on the other earphones I have used, I think it's not weak.

I mean, the staff are professionals.
I'm just wondering if I'm not fully utilizing the headphones potential.

What do you think?

With luck staff are professional, bear in mind that they're also salesmen.
(Not saying they're wrong but just wondered if they sensed a potential sales opportunity).

Your headphones wouldn't need massive amounts of power to sound good.
However, I must admit the quoted maximum output power of your Sony player does seem on the low side to me - it certainly is when compared to the Chord Mojo, for example.
You like the player though and you don't necessarily think it's too weak - so it's up to you.
If you've got a hi-fi amp to plug your headphones into, give them plenty of power and see if you think they sound better.
Otherwise, take them with you to audition different players.
You could, of course, try more different headphones in your Sony.
(If you do that, choose models with similar (preferably lower) impedance to your ATs).

 

[BirhangZ]

I really appreciate the feedback.
You are right, I love the player and the headphone.

So lastly, based on this pairings. Is my player too weak to fully drive and utilize FLAC? Is it better to stick with a 320kbs format if the difference is rather marginal?

I can discern the difference in the two formats but I still feel as though I'm not fully utilising what my headphone can reproduce with weaker output of my player.

What do you think?

 

[Gray]

Not everyone can reliably hear the marginal difference between 320kbps mp3 and FLAC.
The fact that you can, proves there's nothing wrong with your player, headphones or hearing. Wherever FLAC is an option, use it.
The only way for you to deal with that nagging doubt you've got, is to try your phones with something that gives them more power before parting with the Sony that you like 👍.

 

[Al ears]

I'd agree with Gray. The headphone you have is not a really high impedance model but it's fairly high.
You need to look at headphones with an impedance in the 25-32 range in my opinion.