Sony HAP-Z1ES

[crwilli]

Yes and yes.

While I have not used an external hard drive on one, I am pretty sure the external hard drive will need be reformatted by the Sony before you load it with files.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

So must go thru laptop, regardless. Then load the thumb-drive from the laptop in whatever format.

Is the same is true when using an external HD to back up the files on the Sony? Always need to go thru the laptop?

When you add files to the internal drive of the Sony, the source files are added via Sony software, FROM your PC’s HDD (or a NAS). Thereby your PC (or NAZ) is automatically the back up for your Sony. To Craig’s point earlier, hopefully you have a backup of your PC or NAS.

If for some reason your PC (or NAS) crashes and you wish to now retrieve files from the Sony, you can only copy the files from the Sony via a network connection to your PC via drag & drop. I don’t see any reason to do this unless you lost the original file storage device.


I can’t speak for the extertal USB drive situation because I’ve only done it once. But as I recall, i couldn’t see the files when I plugged it into my PC. I’ll try it when I get home later.

[Formerly YB-2]

Well.................. all this makes me wonder, why bother with the Sony? Just use a dedicated laptop with a 2TB HD as a music server and back that up with an external HD. The Sony simply adds another piece of gear.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Well.................. all this makes me wonder, why bother with the Sony? Just use a dedicated laptop with a 2TB HD as a music server and back that up with an external HD. The Sony simply adds another piece of gear.

You absolutely could do that. It’s exactly what I did before I got the Sony. You’ll need JRiver or the like, a DAC, and some remote app like JRemote to control it all from your IPad or phone.

The beauty of the Sony is, in my opinion, having a dedicated player that simply works all the time (without the sometimes finicky issues associated with a PC) and the stellar app that controls it all.

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Bill is correct! ...

You seem surprised by that! It happens every so often, even a broken clock is correct twice a day!

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

So must go thru laptop, regardless. Then load the thumb-drive from the laptop in whatever format.

Is the same is true when using an external HD to back up the files on the Sony? Always need to go thru the laptop?

Yes. You always have to go through the computer/laptop. And you also have to have the HAP app open in your computer/laptop. The HAP app is the same app that you used to load music into the Sony unit. The app connects your computer/laptop to the Sony and allows your computer to “see” the files in the internal Sony hard drive.
Once the Sony hard drive is visible to your computer/laptop, you can move files, copy files, delete files just as you would do with any hard drive. And yes, you can insert a USB thumb drive in your computer/laptop USB input and move files there or vice-versa.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Well.................. all this makes me wonder, why bother with the Sony? Just use a dedicated laptop with a 2TB HD as a music server and back that up with an external HD. The Sony simply adds another piece of gear.

The idea behind the Sony device is that once you have loaded your music into the Sony harddrive, you no longer need a computer in order to listen to your music. In other words, the Sony can run as a stand alone device that turns on/off instantly without the need of some software running on a computer. There are many folks that prefer that.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Well.................. all this makes me wonder, why bother with the Sony? Just use a dedicated laptop with a 2TB HD as a music server and back that up with an external HD. The Sony simply adds another piece of gear.

Glenn,

It is a one stop shop after you load it. Plug it into an analogue input on you PreAmp and play away! No different than an Aurender in that respect although they have more digital output options if you don’t want to use the internal DAC.

The Sony has only a USB output that allows you to use an external DAC but that is not how it is really intended to be used by the majority of owners.

Other than loading it, it is a simple to use and great sounding, streamer for less than $2,000.

Craig

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by audio bill

You seem surprised by that! It happens every so often, even a broken clock is correct twice a day!

Not surprised at all. More embarrassed by my bad information - but that happens a lot!

[Formerly YB-2]

Seems my choices are to take the Sony & laptop back & forth to FL with me or just the laptop.
As I need a new laptop in any event, I'll start with a new 8GB memory, 2TB HD laptop. Is the 8GB/2TB good enough or should I have more memory?
What's the best software on the laptop? JRiver is mentioned quite often.

If I then decide on the Sony for my home system at a later date and have the music files on my laptop HD, will I be able to run them thru the Sony software into the HAP-Z1ES?