Sony HAP-Z1ES Hi-Res Music Player RMAF 2013

Dr. David Robinson - Editor-in-Chief, Positive Feedback Online:
"Quick first impressions, as promised: the Sony HAP Z1ES proved easy to set up. All networking, both wired (CAT6 gigabit) and wireless proved to be simple, and worked the first time on both sides. Its interface is pretty intuitive, and worked very well with the HDD Audio Remote app. I've tried this on both the supplied Sony Xperian pad and my own iPad 3...both IOS 7.1 and the Android system had no problems. Installation of the HAP Transfer app on my Windows 7 64-bit notebook computer upstairs was flawless, and connected with the wired interface immediately, once I shifted to the wired subnet. (For security reasons, I keep wired and wireless networks on two entirely different Network address spaces.) I used the Sony Transfer app to copy about 110 GB of DSD files to the 1 TB internal storage on the Z1ES. Then I shifted it back to the wireless network so that I could connect with the Xperian and iPad remote control apps. No problems at all...a really gratifying result, I must say.

My VERY preliminary listening impressions are quite positive. With only a few hours on the review sample, the sonic results have been quite positive. PCM is PCM, but sounds good on the Z1ES. I had the unit set to convert PCM to Double DSD (yes, that's what the Z1ES can do), so that is likely the reason for this result.

Most of my listening has been to DSD, naturally; there the sound is natural, detailed, totally balanced, with superior imaging and soundstaging. Frankly, I was hearing a quality of sound on the first day that was better than I expected. Nice!

Since the Z1ES converts to Double DSD, I decided to copy a Double DSD sample track to the review unit, to see if it would play it. I wasn't surprised, but I was gratified to see that the Z1ES handled my sample Double DSD track without a hitch. In fact, it sounded great!

So far, this has been an exceptional experience. Sony is onto something here...at $1,999, this is a relative steal in audiophile terms.

More to come at PFO, when I flesh this all out...."

Would someone please buy the Sony unit and send it to Modwright for all of the fully pimped-out mods? I'd like to see this thing on steroids.
and reviewed.
Mitch4t

Looks like Vinnie at RWA has shipped his first modded unit to a customer. Don't know about steroids but it does have a tube output stage per channel, dedicated linear power supply installation, and other things as well.

I don't want a computer and all the attendant hassles in my audio system, even if that does offer flexibility. As a potential one-box solution, I think this unit is compelling - in either stock or modded form.

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Finsup, thanks for the update. If the Sony is a marketing success, the natural evolution of the machine will be for it to have inputs and to also function as a DAC....now that would be something.
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Mitch, Sony chose not to provide inputs on their 5400ES, which one would have to consider a marketing success. Eventually, Dan Wright added digital in as an option on his Sony Mod. In the case of the HAP 1Z, my guess is that we will see the same. No digital in from Sony-- The HAP 1 will stand as is for another 5-6 years. I'm guessing Dan will eventually think about a digital in on his HAPZ1 mod, which I believe is in the very early stages.

I'm going to wait until Dan commits to a ModWright package for the HAPZ1 before pulling the trigger on the Sony. A digital in on the Sony would have pushed me over the edge on buying a stock unit, but as it is, I'm in the wait and see mode.

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Brownsfan, if Dan includes a digital input on his HAPZ1 mod, it would be a no-brainer purchase for me....it's the one-box solution that I'm looking for.
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