The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first

I have a trip to Bangkok coming up that I am quite excited about it. My wife and I love the city for its supremely friendly and hospitable vibes, not to mention the cuisine, the beaches and audio! Thai cusine is formidabe.

By now I have laid ears on most of the TOTL IEMs that have come out through repeated visits to Bangkok, Singapore and elsewhere, but for me, Mungkong Gadget in Bangkok played a critical part in turbo-charging my exposure to TOTL stuff, several years ago.

It was also in Bangkok at the Sony store in Siam Paragon that I first encountered the Sony WM1ZM2.

I had gone in with the intent of buying the A&K SP3000 given that I had an SP2000T.

But to my ears, the SP3000 didn't offer the level of improvement and refinement I sought, whereas the WM1ZM2 did/does. Of course, YMMV.

I am still entirely smitten with the WM1ZM2. Sure, there are more powerful DAPs on the market that offer more resolution and technicalities, but there is something about the sonic presentation of this golden brick that I can't get enough of. Reminds me of tape!

Needless to say, I love the aesthetics as well. Not easy to pull off a gold brick so tastefully.

Sources: Sony DMP-Z1 | Sony WM1ZM2 | Brise Tsuranagi Transducers: Campfire Trifecta + Effect Audio Centurion | Dita Perpetua + Dita Celeste | Aroma Fei Wan (Incoming) + PW Audio Orpheus YT Channel: Amplify Audio Show