ohh zacka, bad news... today i was in Sony Center Berlin/Germany (my livingplace) because of this problem, but the coworkers have no plan. they didnt know something about the testmode...testmode whats that ??? same like u, the only answer i get: in european countries, all mp3-players has a volume limit to protect our ears bla bla bla..." so bad! ;( (i wrote sony japan...but get no answer )...thanks sony, thats definitly NOT GOOD! the next time, i import directly from japan!