The build is fantastic, everything I expect from a Sony flagship product.

Every detail is well thought out, I would like to see a standard USB cable, but, I wasn’t in the engineering meetings discussing how to build this. I have heard some say it’s a way to make more money for Sony because you have to buy from them. This is not true, I have in my searching found third party cable sellers that make or have these to sell and they are not Sony branded.

I think the design has more to do with function than anything else.

This device feels great in the hand, the body is cut from a single block of aluminum. The buttons are large and crisp. All over the case ports are clearly labeled. The balanced 4.4 port on top says “Balanced” right next to it in clear white letters. The bottom is no different and all ports are named in white lettering.

The back has a “leather like” material that protects it which I really prefer over the glass backs on most devices in this range nowadays. It feels better in the hand and protects it when placed on a surface. It does not come with a case and the Sony version sucks from what I hear. But there are several very nice cases that are well regarded that you can purchase for under $40.

The interface is what I loved most on this device. No it is not a large AMOLED screen, but it is perfect for what it is. The interface, and I don’t know if it’s a modified version of android in the background or a Sony custom OS (more likely), is so well thought out that I didn’t need to go to any manuals to understand it or figure out how to use it. Everything is clearly noted and there are help menus and notes throughout when you start using it. There is even a built in guide for how to produce great sound!  I found the interface to be rock solid and had no issues with it. So how does it sound? Well this is where the review process gets hard. It sounds great, I really loved it right away with the “direct” sound setting and no EQ or other Sony sound mods.

But is it better than other device in the same category not especially in the same price range. This is an important distinction to be made. Now a days price does not always reflect quality, even though some manufacturers want us to think so. I tested against several DAP’s but really it came down to the FiiO M11 Pro and this DAP.

So after some initial comparing I settled in for some serious sound comparison testing. I loaded a song (which I will cover in detail shortly) on both devices. I plugged in a head set (I used several) and listen for about 30 seconds. Then paused the song unplugged from the Sony and plugged into the FiiO then started the song. I kept doing this through the whole song and even going back several times on some sections of a song because I really wanted to understand the differences.

What I can say is that the 2 devices were scary close. In some songs I could not hear a difference. In other the difference was clear and yet on others some differences but hard to really define them.

For the Sony I paid $1,198.00 on Amazon with Prime. And the FiiO M11 Pro is going right now on Amazon with Prime for $649.99 so that’s a $548.01 difference. Is it worth it? No and Yes, I really like the Sony, it’s build, its function and its sound. If I had paid for it sometime ago and had not heard the FiiO or just had purchased it first I wouldn’t even question it. It is worth the price at which it is selling now. But the FiiO M11 Pro is so close that it may not make sense to upgrade if that’s what you’re thinking about. If it’s your first DAP purchase and you’re not sure what the difference will be from your phone or iPod (if you even have one of those) then go for the FiiO. Also you could purchase using Prime on Amazon and if you are not satisfied then you can return it. I have a made a little chart below showing my impressions for each dimension of both products.

Rating from 1-10 10 being best

SONG TEST LIST –

Ah-Ha  MTV Unplugged Session – “Take on me”,  Sony was a better reproduction but just barley

Alexis Cole – “Alone together”, Sony had the edge, beginning symbol and snare drum was fuller and more realistic. Felt like more info was being retrieved from the FLAC file/song.

Amanda Martinez – “Amor”, no real difference – Sony sounded a bit more “full and open” only a bit though.

Bastille – “Bad Blood”,  bass was better on the Sony, felt more realistic, more detailed

Beyonce Lemonade – “Pray you catch me”, bass was better on the Sony, FiiO vocal was a little more forward. But vocals on the Sony were better separated

Boston “Foreplay”, liked guitar better in opening on the Sony, but after that I could not hear a difference.

Dido – “Give you up”, vocals were more open and better “reverb” on the Sony but everything else the same.

Elton John – “Captain Fantastic”, better on the Sony, Guitar at opening and background instruments more separated and detailed on the Sony.

Kandace Springs – “Don’t need the real thing”, sounded the same on both

Metallica – “Ride the lighting”, could hear more details in the beginning of the song. After main chorus kicks in mostly the same with the Sony being a slight bit more detailed.

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