topic Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35' in Portable Audio

RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:47:38 GMT

Hi folks,

I have just joined this forum and so this is my very first post.

I recently purchased a Sony Walkman 'NW-A35' model.

I am having some issues and also have some questions regarding 'Media Go' s/w.

I trust this is the correct forum section to be posting such topics?

Many thanks,

[Edited by moderator to remove full name]

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:25:47 GMT

Hi there

You certainly are in the right place. Please by all means fire away with your questions and im sure one of us might be able to help you.

Cheers

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 22:03:45 GMT

Thanks Qinnicus,

Well, firstly, please, is the 'NW-A35' limited as to which 'Tags' it can provide?

It seems, to me, that the list is limited to the following 'Meta-Data' (as appears directly on the Walkman display): the following information is offered:

Title (eg. 'Yesterday')

Artist (eg. 'The Beatles')

Album Artist (eg. 'The Beatles')

Album (eg. 'Beatles Classics')

Genre ('Pop')

Release Year ('1967')

Composer ('McCartney')

Length (ie. duration)

Tone Analysis (ie. mood)

Storage Location (ie. system storage)

File Name (eg. '01 McCartney - Yesterday.flac')

Codec (eg. FLAC)

Bit Depth (eg. 16 bit)

Bit Rate (eg. 828 kbps VBR)

Sample Rate (eg. 44.1)

Lyrics Data (words)

I have tried to included: 'Producer' and 'Label', but to no avail?! (please see screenshot for 'tagging properties' made within 'dB Power Amp' CD writing software):

https://www.dbpoweramp.com/cd-ripper.htm

Many thanks for you assistance,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:45:13 GMT

Hello again,

I also wanted to ask, please, if it is advisable to drag&drop music files straight from a PC to the Sony 'NW-A35'? In other words, bypassing 'Media Go?

I added a 'Producer' and 'Label' tag here, but this is still not at all reflected on the Walkman display (please see screenshot of 'Media Go').

Many thanks,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:54:24 GMT

Hi there

I'll answer tomorrow as im tired now. I have the NWZ-A15 and use Windows Explorer - rarely use Media Go.

Cheers

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 22:08:33 GMT

Ok, thanks Quinnicus,

I will post another separate question below.

Thanks a lot,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 19:27:09 GMT

Hi,

Here is a copy of a recent email I sent to Sony after purchasing my new Walkman last month:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I purchased a NW-A35 Walkman from Amazon recently. I made very thorough investigations regarding the functionality of the device (before purchasing) because it is obviously very expensive, and I was upgrading from my NWZ-S545 Walkman - which I had owned for 10 years. Basically, I was very happy with my old model as I only need/use very basic features (I mostly used it for running outdoors and at the gym). But my original model has become old and worn now.

However, when my new NW-A35 arrived and after transferring some audio files across, I discovered that I simply can not hear the music! Even with the volume set at a level of '100'! Yet my previous model could easily output music loudly with the volume set at only '50'! I thoroughly tested many different albums in different formats (FLAC, MP3, WMA) and the results were exactly the same. This took some considerable time as you can appreciate - because I had to be certain that my reasoning was indeed accurate; and it was. So, now I have a very expensive Walkman of which I can't use because it's nowhere near loud enough!

Do you have a replacement NW-A35 model, please, which outputs at a listenable volume? I am assuming mine has some kind of manufactures fault, or similar?

Thank you very much indeed,

[Full name removed]

Now, you may or may not know, but there is a ridiculous 'EU' law in place of which stipulates that a music listening device (inc. mobile phones) must not exceed a certain 'dB' level. It may be '80dB'? - I can't remember. Hence all such devices are now capped!

BUT, apparently, if you purchase the same Walkman from either the U.S. or Asia, then such models do not have this (volume) restriction onboard. Sony are currently looking to see if it is possible for them to wangle me an overseas model. According to the representative I spoke to, Sony have been plagued by similar complaints from recent owners!

Cheers.

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 19:25:45 GMT

Hi there

Question 1 - Tags:

In regards to your first question about tags, it does appear that it is limited. I have been searching for what type of ID3 tags are supported and the only thing I can find is in the specifications: HERE. Therefore things like Label or Producer is not supported.

Music Searching Methods
All songs, Album, Artist, Genre, Release year, Composer, Playlists, Hi-Res, Recent transfers, Folder, SensMe Channels

Using the Media Go software, you can automatically get this metadata from the use of 'Gracenote' Music ID. See HERE for more info.

Question 2 - Drag and Drop

Drag and Drop is fully supported, its actually listed as YES in the specifications. As mentioned yesterday, I use it for my walkman and have never encountered any side effects. I personally prefer it.

Question 3 - Volume

Unfortunately, I am familiar with the EU law in regards to limiting the volume on personal audio devices. Sucks I know. One thing to note is to ensure that AVLS is off. See HERE.

However there are 'ways' to remove this EU limitation. See the following sites:

https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool#Changing_destination_settings_and_sound_pressure_regulation

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-sony-nw-a30-series.815843/page-66#post-13234674

http://www.just-hifi.com/NEW-SONY-NW-A30-SERIES_10207281-50.html

Googling should provide you more links.

Please note: I have not tried this myself, so I dont know. Also this forum or myself is not responsible if you choose to 'research' alternative ways in regards to removing this EU limitation cap

Cheers

PS: I am going to edit your previous post to remove your full name from these forums.

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 14:58:57 GMT

Hi Quiniccus,

Thanks very much indeed for taking the time and effort to assist in this matter.

Sony emailed me to advise me to REFORMAT the device; which I did - but to no avail. The 'volume' issue remains a stick in the mud. I booked two telephone call back with them and they have honored neither!

I appreciate the confirmation regarding drag&dropping. I tried this (ie. bypassing 'Media Go') and it worked in the same way as my old/original Sony 'NW' Walkman did. However, this gives rise to a couple of other questions, if you will: would there be - or what is the purpose (other than 'tagging' or collecting 'meta-data') - any reason to actually use 'Media Go', please? As stated earlier, I use an excellent s/w I recently discovered called: 'dB Power Amp' (they have a free-trial if you were to sample it!). And therefore I did not particularly want to have to run my music thru a second s/w. Secondly, is 'Media Go' like a cloud/online-storage? Does it actually STORE you music collection like (say) 'Google Drive'?

What does 'ID3' tag mean, please? Is it something which is manufacturer specific?

I am really not sure what to do about the 'volume' issue? I mean, if I was to seek a refund, then is the same restriction cross-manufacturer? If so, there would be little point switching if I was to experience the same problem right across the board! Do you grin and bare the problem yourself?, or are you seeking to solve it also?

Many thanks,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 20:26:53 GMT

Hi again,

Sony Technical Support are calling me tomorrow as they have escalated my situation now.

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 22:14:51 GMT

Hi there

I am not sure why Sony are getting you to reformat the device if the volume issue is the EU volume cap?

ID3 Tags is simply the metadata within the MP3 container. More info HERE.

Any reason to use Media Go? No. Its personal choice on how you organise your media collection.

In regards to the volume issue - I and like many others put up with it. One has to. I also have a pair of swimming headphones - I would like the volume louder, but such is life. Maybe this can be 're-visited' by the industry once Brexit is all over and done with.

Let me know how it goes with Sony anyhow.

Cheers

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 22:38:54 GMT

Thanks Quinnicus,

Thanks for the LINK on 'tagging'. I am now using 'dB Power Amp' exclusively, and can highly recommend it.

The reason I had to update the firmware, reformat and reset the device was so that Technical Support could feel sure everything has been tried at my end (to resolve the issue). Hence, it's now been escalated to a higher level. They have said that if I send the unit back, they may be able to removed to 'volume-capping' - but I am not sure how and if this is legal (under the stupid 'EU')?

I was wondering if 'Media Go' was something like cloud-storage? But I don't think it offers such a facility; and as you say, it is more relating to organizing one's files.

I am a hard-Bexiter and a UKIPPER!

Thanks,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 22:43:30 GMT

No, I dont see anything about cloud storage in Media Go. You can organise your files from across multiple folders/network drives etc - but not cloud.

I wouldnt know the legalities on Sony removing the EU volume cap. I honestly dont see them doing this, as this opens them up to all sorts of responsibility issues and potential lawsuits. If they did and you damaged your ears, I guess you could potentially sue them for such....

Im Brexit too. Not Ukip though - Labour.

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 23:07:14 GMT

Hi Quinnicus,

Thanks for clearing up 'Media Go'.

I have just spoken to Amazon who have agreed that I can send the device back to Sony. If Sony can not adjust it, then they will send it back to me and - if I so choose - I can then send it back to Amazon for a refund. Otherwise, I will just have to live with the problem, as you say.

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:33:10 GMT

Hi again,

Sony booked me in for a calback (for yesterday) but have emailed me stating that they need more time to look into the matter.

Therefore, they have delayed the comms until middle of next week ...

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:37:04 GMT

Thanks for the update - im curious to know what Sony say. Although I fear its going to be the stock answer - EU cap....

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:45:13 GMT

Hi Quinnicus,

I would have thought that the higher level of Sony Tech. Support would have wanted to speak to me asap?; to glean as much first-hand information as they possibly can.

I assume you have Moderator status because you edited out my name from one of my posts last week. In which case, it you don't mind please: would you be able to set my account so that I do not receive constant email notifications regarding how I have earned a new point/badge/stauts every time I make a new post? I did try turnung off such messages but then I no longer received bullitens each time you (or anyone else) repsonds to this thread!

Much appreciated,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

Anonymous — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 17:01:54 GMT

Hi there

Yes, I do have some moderator priviledges, however I cannot access anyones forum account. What you need to do, is:

Go into your Settings for your forum account
Go to Subscriptions and notifications
Select Notifications
Set the noticiations how you like for the various options. (i.e. For my forum subscriptions, notify me for = All Posts. New replies posted to content I subscribe to = immediately. Badges I earn = Never)

Cheers

PS, Trying to figure out the logic of Sony Tech Support can take a lifetime

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 17:14:56 GMT

Hi ,

That's great; have made those changes now.

Thanks,

Paul

Re: RE: Sony Walkman 'NW-A35'

monsterjazzlicks — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 14:54:44 GMT

Hi,

Sony called me on Friday, finally, and have said that the device needs to be returned to their repair center. I have had it for about 6 x weeks now and not really been able to use it! Quite disappointing I have to say.

On another point, please, would anyone know if it makes any diference whatsoever if you have folders-within-folders on the 'A-35'? I mean, on my HD which holds my music files, I have (say):

'Jazz' / 'Miles Davis' / 'Kind Of Blue', 'Milestones', 'Miles Smiles' ...

Jazz being the GENRE folder, Miles Davis being the ARTIST, and three remaining folders all being the ALBUMS. Other JAZZ artists would also be stored in the same folder.

Then, similarly, I would have a Classical folder:

'Classical' / 'Beethoven' / 'Symphony 1st', 'Symphony 2nd', 'Symphony 3rd' ...

Classical being the GENRE folder, BEETHOVEN being the ARTIST, and three remaining folders all being the ALBUMS. Other CLASSICAL artists would also be stored in the same folder.

OR - would you lose the GENRE folders for the sake of reducing the amount of sub-folders/structure, please? I mean, does it make any differece if you drag&drop (bypassing 'Media Go') straight from you PC HD to the Sony Walkman, maintaining the exact same folder-structure? In other words, can the folder-structure on the Sony be exactly the SAME as on your PC HD? Or would the Walkman consider this too complex?

Many thanks,

Paul