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DACs That Improve The Sound of the Sony HAP-Z1ES

Some discussions of this here in the past, but mostly ad hoc rather than anything comprehensive.  For those using a DAC that both improves the sound of and works seamlessly with the Sony, I would appreciate your input as to what your are using, and if enough of a positive change to justify the expense. And even though every now and then I think about it, in the end would prefer to not move to computer based solutions, love the simplicity of the Sony.
butler

Showing 1 response by anwar

anwar
119 posts
 
Sony HAP-Z1ES was my first non-PC based player. I like the user interface, color display, control app, and the spot on ripping with Gracenote database. At that time, I also have Ayon CD-07 which uses the same Burr Brown PCM1795 DAC. The CD-07 sounds better but can’t play hires music.

I tried using Z1ES as digital transport into external DAC (Terminator & Marantz SA-10). But Intel NUC with linear PS and internal SSD sound better than Z1ES as digital audio playback device. I tried many different playback software, both Windows and Linux, and discovered that Euphony is the best.

Now I’ve moved on to Innuos Zenith Mk.II which is the best ’streamer’ I’ve had so far. But I have not given up yet with optimizing PC-based playback.

If you plan to spend a lot of money on DAC, the HAP-Z1ES is not the right digital playback device.
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