Maybe I’m being too loud about this since I already wrote it on my Japanese blog, but let me just say it again. LOL
Recently, I bought a DAP (Digital Audio Player) because I was no longer happy with the sound quality on my iPhone. I’ve been using an iPhone for over 10 years and just kept compromising, but I finally realized I was wrong. I kept buying different earbuds trying to make the sound better—even spent more money on them—but the brand I liked suddenly stopped selling to consumers and switched to business users only. That was a huge disappointment. I thought, “OMG, I have to start the whole earbud journey again?” And then it hit me: maybe the problem isn’t the earbuds, but the source.
So, I spent hours researching what would work for me, and eventually I found Astell & Kerm. But then I realized their warranty situation is not great in Japan. They don’t have a factory here, only a distributor, which means if something breaks it could take forever to fix, or cost way too much. Maybe they partner with a Japanese repair company, but I’m not sure about the quality—and that’s too risky for me.
So I kept looking, and suddenly I was like… back to basics: Sony Walkman. High-resolution audio, reliable support, and it’s exactly what I wanted. I called to check stock, and the next day I went to pick it up. I bought the ZX707, WH-1000XM6, and WF-1000XM5. Perfect combo.
I also decided to switch streaming services—from Amazon Music Unlimited to Qobuz. I’ve lost my playlists on Amazon several times, and their only response was to “check the user community.” Huge minus for me. So I left Amazon Music and signed up for Qobuz, and I’m very happy with it. They don’t have everything I want, but I can just buy CDs or figure it out.
High-resolution audio… OMG, it’s honestly life-changing. LOL
The best part is how easily I can focus when shooting photos. Listening to my favorite music in great sound quality really lets me disappear into my own world. It’s like zoning out in the best way.
Also, it makes me realize how everything has become “convenience first.” People stop caring about quality. Sure, you can say “good enough,” but that mindset makes music feel disposable. Musicians spend hours creating a track, and people just listen without caring about the groove, the melody, the lyrics—like “I don’t know what they’re singing but I like the song.” LOL I’ve heard that so many times.
Now I’m spending time the way I used to when I was young—just doing nothing and listening to music. And it’s pure joy to notice tiny sounds in my favorite songs that I never heard before with bad audio quality. It lets me understand the music more deeply, in my own way.
Choose quality instead of convenience.
Thank you!!
Have a nice weekend!!
😘❤️😘