Not so. I have 2 Sony HAP-Z1ES players in 2 different systems. I can unequivocally say it sounds better than my previous Aurender n100h player and Wyred4sound Dac-2 DSD and a dedicated laptop running J Rivers Media Center 21 and the same dac.
The Sony is anything but dull and lifeless, its just the opposite. It's a lot of player for the money and has gotten many awards. Personally, I don't think Best Buy has any equipment capable of showing the true sound of the player. |
Thanks for the feed back. I cant believe that you brought up the Aurender n100h because that was the other player that I was considering. If you say the Sony sounds better, plus all the new updates it just received, than I am going to take the plunge. Thanks for you feedback.
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I agree with Stereo5, at Best Buy you heard the sound through an entire system and not simply the Sony in isolation. If the quality of associated audio components are suspect you'd never really hear what the Sony is actually capable of. Experienced listeners on this site that I trust have reported that the Sony is very good.
Charles |
The Sony HAP-Z1ES is a
great sounding Music Server both when used with its own internal DAC or as a NAS/Streamer
via its Digital Output. I’m currently using mine (via
USB) into a Devialet 200 powering WA Sasha 2 Speakers, with excellent results! |
Wow, doing a Google search for "Sony HAP-Z1ES" brings up an Audiogon ad in the Shop Now section on the right! When did this happen?!? |
Bluesound sounds great. I haven't heard the Sony. |
Be aware that the Sony does not stream Tidal. It is designed for people who want to purchase downloads or rip cds. |
No Tidal, but I think the Sony does allow Spotify streaming. Could it stream Tidal with another firmware update?
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Don't anyone get angry, I'm not sure about this, but here is a quote from a 2014 review: "the HAP-Z1ES also has a built-in Internet radio tuner. Called the “V-Tuner,” this feature includes the ability to search for Internet radio stations by genre or location." and that's all it said about streaming. |
dont have the sony but they added the spotify ability later on |
I bought a Bluesound this week. So far sounds great and easy to load CDs. The biggest complaint I have is the lack of documentation for the tablet app. You'd think they would include some explanations about what the various icons do, how to create a playlist, how to remove an album... just little things like that make it less of a great device. Otherwise I am happy with it.
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The Sony HAP-Z1ES has both Spotify and TuneIn music services with the latest firmware. Internet VTuner was discontinued in October 2015. Like I said earlier, I like it much better than my previous Aurender N100H and Wyred4Sound DAC-2 DSD and Femto Clock. I own 2 Sony players, one in each system. The iPad app is excellent and very easy to use. You can edit the Metadata as well, but I have found that with over 15,000 songs on the player, it hasn’t missed yet in finding all the Metadata. You have the ability to change the dac conversion from normal to precise and are able to use the dsee or not. I use the precision setting and dsee engaged in my main system, but use normal setting and dsee in my other system. You get a lot of choices and can add another hard drive and a separate dac if something better and greater comes along. If one of the smaller High End companies made this player, it would probably sell for 5K. The player weighs 32 pounds and only a large company like Sony could build and sell the player for 2K. It really is a bargain. Oh, in case this matters, it sounds absolutely wonderful. This is definitely a no regrets piece of equipment. |
OK, finally took delivery of my Sony HAP-Z1ES. Great product so far, although I'm still learning the ins and outs of how to use it.
Spotify: works great with my Spotify Premium account. Simple to switch between hard-drive and streaming. Tidal or other high-res streaming in the next firmware? One can only hope.
Still waiting to hear from those who've tried a stand-alone DAC for improvement over the Sony DAC.
Critical listening: this will wait for break-in over the weeks ahead. Sounds good out of the box, although does not yet approach my (much more costly) vinyl rig. |
Heard Blue Sound Vault 2 today feeding a Krell Vanguard driving TotemForest Signatures. Blown away...warm dynamic organic!! I am getting one and selling my spinner |
FYI, owned the Sony...well, let's just say I returned it and tried to forget that experience ever happened.
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"Still waiting to hear from those who've tried a stand-alone DAC for improvement over the Sony DAC" I tried my Wyred4Sound DAC2 DSD Femto Clock dac with the Sony. I liked the sound of the Sony much better. The external dac sounded like second row where the Sony sounds like your 15 rows or so back. The Wyred dac uses the ESS 9018 dac chip and I have found that chip to be a little forward sounding. I sold the external dac and am very happy. |
I have the Sony and really like it and also have the blue sound node for streaming. Both great devices. I would love the Sony more if it streamed Tidal. They would probably sell a ton more. Really well made (weighs a ton) and musical too. |
