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Sony HAP Z1ES or tablet with DAC

I have finally decided to move all my CDs into a HDD files and after paying a few hundred bucks to a friend's high school kid for converting my library of 1300 CDs with my specific instructions to use EAC and FLAC - I am looking to get a "perfect" server.

To me "perfect" for this particular need would be something like Sony HAP Z1ES - since it has great reviews (so sound quality is no.1 ) but also it has balanced outputs for my pre-amp and a small screen that would allow me to browse all my collection with relative ease.

For me those functions are very important - as I have instructed the kid to automatically download all CD metadata, including the cover art....
However, I am also thinking that I could connect my HDD to a 7inch tablet which would then connect to a good DAC - however, I am not sure this is possible as all tablets come with either HDMI or single USB so once I connect external HDD...there is no way to send digital signal to the DAC.....is anyone aware of tablet with 2 USB ports ?
Any other solutions ?

Any other servers that would rival Sony and have larger (minimum 4inch ) display ?

Thank you!
ether
ricred1
1,988 posts
 
Bryston BDP2
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,269 posts
 
The Sony HapZ1ES is best useds with a tablet as the remote control.  You can use Android or Apple based.  The tablet will show you all the music with the artwork in an easy to use format.  I went from an Aurender N100H and a Wyred4Sound Dac2 DSD to the Sony and kept the Sony.  I now have 2 of them, one in each system.  Yes, it's that good.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
I can say the Sony Hapz1es is great . I previously used a MacMini optimized for 2 channel playback used with dacs up to $3000 with Audirvana . The Sony is so much better . Have heard good things about the Aurrender too. Now the Sony can be used with standalone dacs as well ,Bonus !!  Will be trying this out soon with a Exogal comet da/pre. Having a second Hap would be nice !!











skoczylas's avatar
skoczylas
240 posts
 
looks like a great unit. my concern would be that the storage drive isnt expanable beyond 2tb and its not clear how the disk can be regularly backed up. Id also prefer a solid state though I know it costs more. 
goheelz's avatar
goheelz
291 posts
 
With the HAP-Z1ES, additional memory can be added via USB.  For example, a multi-TB drive to expand the stock 1 TB hard drive.  The Sony retrieves music files automatically from a computer, which in my case is located away from the music room.  I've loaded my CDs to the computer, and the Sony has relocated them to its hard drive.  They are backed up, in other words, on my computer at all times because the music files had to be saved first to my computer before the Sony will retrieve those files.  Hope that makes sense.  It works well and sounds quite good, although I'm pondering the ModWright or perhaps a better DAC, which can also now (thanks to Sony firmware update) be used via USB.
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