Sony - What were you thinking?

Another down side to at least the $2000 unit, (not sure on the other ones) is that is has no digital output. So you have to use the built-in DAC on the unit and can't connect your outboard DAC, if you have one.

Another consideration (although some might consider it a superficial oversight) is that top model HAP-Z1 is only available in silver. Sony's last (2007 launch) top audio ES player was the XA5400ES disc player only available in black in US. Sony has oodles of audio products from the mundane mainstream to their SOTA speakers for deep pocket buyers, yet Sony for decades now has partly deserved reputation for introducing and dropping soon after formats and products and of their mediocre product support in general. Just my opinion of course based on much experience with Sony.

Oh boy how bad!!

Think stumbling along, no thinking required. Sony's entire audio business has been in the financial and design red for years, part of which explains their failed r&d efforts as evidenced in the new high res line. I've been a great fan of Sony, mostly owning many of their cd players 'oldies' including their first cd player, which still works. Recently word has come that Sony will exit the laptop PC business. How they lost their way makes for a great business school study. Can you survive on a one product business, like the PlayStation? Maybe, I have one and will be getting the new one soon. I'll look to others, mostly the better Chinese firms for product leadership.