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Sony HAP-Z1ES and Denafrips DAC

I bought the Sony HAP-Z1ES a few years ago. It has the latest firmware dated Feb 2017. A few days ago I received Denafrips Terminator DAC which was ordered a month ago. It was connected to the Sony HAP-Z1ES using USB connection.

With both Sony HAP-Z1ES and Terminator turned on, when Terminator input is switched to USB, Sony HAP-Z1ES shows "An unsupported USB device has been connected". But the Sony analog output is turned off and data is indeed sent to the external DAC, producing sound.

I’ve tried rolling back Sony Z1ES firmware to the previous version and it behaves exactly the same.

Before I ordered Denafrips Terminator DAC, I’ve tested Sony HAP-Z1ES with Oppo UDP-205 as an external USB DAC and it works flawlessly without any errors. So I assume the Sony will work with another DAC.

Also, occasionally when jumping tracks or changing folder, Terminator DAC produces very weird and wrong sound. It does not happen all the time. When it happened, jumping to the next track or restarting the existing track clears the problem.

I would like to hear experience of other Sony HAP-Z1ES users when using external DAC, especially the Denafrips DAC brand, if you see similar problem. Thank you so much.
anwar
anwar OP
119 posts
 
@jimcrane, sure I plan to share my listening experience after the Terminator has nicely broken in and after I have received USB cable from Curious Cable, Australia.  Currently I am using budget USB cable, AudioQuest Forest.  I've also tried Supra USB cable and it does make a difference.  I prefer the Forest.

My preliminary impression after 4 days, the difference is huge.  With the Terminator, I am drawn into the music as the it sounds so natural and analog-like, bigger sound stage, and can hear more details without being harsh.  Due to that, I have to rediscover my CD collection.  I ended up sleeping late a few nights as I feel so relaxed listening to it.  More coming later....
alvin1118
131 posts
 
Hi @anwar , I've sent an email to Sony support. I hope they are responsive in assisting technical inquiry. 

I shall update here as soon as there is a solution to the issue.

Many thanks.

Rgds,
Alvin @ Vinshine Audio
anwar OP
119 posts
 
Just to update on the reported issue. @alvin1118 of Vinshine Audio provided instructions to update Amanero USB firmware. That seems to resolve the issue with jumping tracks (similar issue as reported by @bt304, thanks) but I have not played long enough to conclude yet.

Regarding Sony HAP-Z1ES showing "An unsupported USB device has been connected" error message, if I turned on Terminator first and select USB input, then turn on Sony HAP, then there is no error at all. After that, with both devices already on, if I switch Terminator to other input (Amanero shuts down) and then back to USB (Amanero powers up), there error "An unsupported USB device has been connected" still shows up.
thelefthand's avatar
thelefthand
9 posts
 
Dear ,have you solved the problem ? My z1es 18120r with 18120r inside connect with soekris 1541, big error , studip sound like fm radio...
anwar OP
119 posts
 
@thelefthand I don't have any experience with Soekris 1541.  Have you tried switching the USB Audio Mode 1 or 2?

My Terminator still has problems with DSD playback when used with Z1ES.  Recently I tested Z1ES with Marantz SA-10 USB Audio Input, no problem at all.  So I think the problem you described is not caused by Z1ES.
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