Sony HAP-Z1ES Hi-Res Music Player RMAF 2013

12-09-13: Mitch4t asked: Does it do Pandora and Rhapsody?

Nope. vTuner only.

There are a number of other distinctions but, imho, a notable one is that the Sony has on-board storage and depends on a network only for downloads and Internet radio. It is also significantly less expensive than the other two.

I am currently using a C.A.P.S. v3 Zuma and jRiver with an exaSound e28 DAC. Most of the music is located on a remote networked drive. The system handles all formats including DSD as well as all in multichannel and does it well. OTOH, as they say on the toy and furniture boxes, "some assembly is required."

It is not a DAC or a renderer.

You will need to use a tablet or smartphone to make playlists.

01-26-14: Mr_bill wrote

Kal,
You should review the Sony Hap Z1ES.

I am doing so.

Mitch4t is correct. You cannot use it "just" as a DAC although it contains one.