Sony HAP-Z1ES

[-E-]

Yep, about the only time Sony went "open architecture" was with the old Mavica digicam, which used a freggin' 3.5" FLOPPY Disk! Needless to say, that was a... flop.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by harri009

The good thing is that once it's done I hopefully shouldn't have to do it again. There is one sentence in the manual thought that kinda makes me laugh. "Due to the nature of the hard disk drive, we do not recommend you store
data on the hard disk drive for a long period." I wonder what a long period is

There is a backup mechanism which, I presume, is in the Lenox format since it creates a special backup file on your computer. Presumably (again), making and restoring from this backup is swifter than the original downloading.

[harri009]

Don't get me wrong, I am liking the sony and infact even with the technical aspects I have been waiting for a box that does exactly what the sony does. I have owned 3 dacs which I sold purely because I hated having to keep the laptop running to play music. I do not have a desktop nor do I what one so the idea of having to hook a hard drive to the side if my laptop or purchase a desktop was out of the question. A system that runs the files, has a viewing screen, and stores the files along with reading them from a ext drive is GREAT!!

[jdandy]

Jeff.......I would have had a much higher interest level in the HAPZ1 if Sony had included a digital output and a transport that would give it stand alone capabilities for those not interested in networking it to a LAN and had a preference for an external DAC.

[Still-One]

Dan
I understand where you are coming from but I will continue to consider the HAPZ1 for many of the reasons that harri009 has noted. I am not looking at this as a universal player rather just a one box unit capable of storing downloaded DSD files from Hi Rez sites. I am confident that the SQ from its DAC's will handle the limited number of DSD files just fine. Now if all we are going to see is re-releases of old music vis DSD then I will probably pass.

[harri009]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Dan I understand where you are coming from but I will continue to consider the HAPZ1 for many of the reasons that harri009 has noted. I am not looking at this as a universal player rather just a one box unit capable of storing downloaded DSD files from Hi Rez sites. I am confident that the SQ from its DAC's will handle the limited number of DSD files just fine. Now if all we are going to see is re-releases of old music vis DSD then I will probably pass.

Just an FYI I purchased my unit from Ivan who was excellent to work with, as many of you already know.

[harri009]

Wow, so I only thought the sony was broke in after the initial 24 hours. I have been running it pretty much constant for about 5 days and nights now. it sounds awesome tonight.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by harri009

Wow, so I only thought the sony was broke in after the initial 24 hours. I have been running it pretty much constant for about 5 days and nights now. it sounds awesome tonight.

Jeff... That's Great News!

[harri009]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Jeff... That's Great News!

Yes indeed, the few concerns I had with it out of the box were that the bass was a little light, the highs were a tad shrill, and the image was just a little diffused. Literally everyone of those concerns were put to rest tonight. The bass was more forceful than I have heard yet out of the Maggie's, the images were tight again and the highs maintained their crispness but dropped the hint of shrillness. The sony is definitely going to be a keeper. Thanks again Ivan!!

[peterlim8]

Do you use XLR or RCA out to the pre? Tks, and the write up as well.