Sony HAP-Z1ES Hi-Res Music Player RMAF 2013

Hi all,

To summarise these 3 products :-

1. The Sony HAP-Z1ES has a built-in dsd DAC but no digital output to an external DAC.

2. The Marantz NA11s1 has a dsd dac with digital outputs

3. The Bryston BDP-2 has no dac and does not do dsd

So, for the price, the Marantz seems to be a good value with its own dsd dac.

If you need dsd, the Bryston is out. If you already have a very good pcm only dac, the Marantz lets you have dsd and also allows you to output hi-rez pcm to your hi-rez dac.

So, the Sony is good if you need both a hi-rez pcm and dsd dac.

For me, i am looking for a dsd capable media player to connect via usb from my pc to coax into my hi-rez pcm only dac and use the analogue outputs of the player for dsd duty. The Marantz seems to fit the bill for me.

Hope this helps.

Looks like this little 'un made quite an impression on JA at the CES.

Link :-
www.stereophile.com

Steve,
You do have your point there but maybe Mr Bill is just concerned that if you get to do what you are doing, what would happen to this forum if a lot of other dealers or manufacturers start doing the same thing?
For me, I do learn a lot from your informative posts and technical knowledge. I just hope others don't start doing the same thing without much technical knowledge but just plain marketing.
What do the others think?