This corner of Sony's exhibit to me won my personal surprise of the show vote. Sony was well aware of the criticism it received when it launched it's 64GB Premium Sound MicroSD card so they set up a little section of comparing regular to the Premium sound cards. I have to admit I was quite skeptical too until I heard it myself - both ZX2s had the same tracks and I used my own MH335DW-SRs and the difference was obvious - overall signature was just more wholesome and detailed extension on either end. If I wasn't a believer before, I sure am now. Sony said they found a way to lower electronic noise from the microSD cards. I further asked how this translated further down to the DAC chain (e.g. does it affect jitter, etc?) and Sony themselves are not too sure. They just know by lowering the electronic noise the resulting is improved sound quality. It also wasn't about speed - in fact the Premium Sound microSD card have a slower transfer rate than the fast ones sold for data. I also asked if what they did was some kinda coating on the contact pins and they said no...therefore no chance of wear/tear from frequent popping in/out of the microSD slot.
