Sony HAP-Z1ES Hi-Res Music Player RMAF 2013

As near as I can tell from the published specs, the feature that looks to be the most responsible for the price difference is Sony's proprietary "DSD remastering engine" (i.e., DAC) which the Z1 has and the S1 does not. Presumably this means that were one to play the same non-DSD file through both devices the sound quality would be noticeably better through the Z1 than through the S1 assuming otherwise identical systems. At least that's my take on it.

To put it another way, even though the Z1 can't be used as a standalone DAC, the DAC that's in the Z1 is presumably a much better DAC than the DAC that's in the S1.

Having just read a review of the Z1 at whathifi.com I am confused once again. Being otherwise a fountain of little useful information, I did learn from this review that the Z1's DSD remastering engine can be turned on and off (a surprise to me) which suggests that my previous characterization essentially equating the DSD remastering engine with the Z1's DAC is misleading. So now I am wondering if the S1 and Z1 might, in fact, have the same DAC even though it is apparently only the Z1 that has the so-called DSD remastering engine. Thoughts anyone?

I think the DSD remastering engine is just an upsampler that upsamples any signal coming in up to DSD rates, if it's turned on.

I read the whathifi review and like everything else I've read about these products there's not much detail. I haven't seen any comparisons between the 2 dacs anywhere.

TAS is going to have an article on it in the March issue and Kal is doing a review for Stereophile, which will probably take a little while longer to get into print.

I think we'll just have to wait a few more months to find out if this is the long awaited low cost, high sound quality, easy to use music server we've been waiting for for many years now.

The S1 and the Z1 are for different people. The S1 has a built in power amp and more features but does not have the ES tweakiness (therefore better sound via line out). The Z1 is for those audiophiles that have a serious system and already have a great amp and or preamp/amp combo. The build quality of the Z1 is much better. Two serious transformers....dual mono 32 bit DACs, better output stages, better and more regulators, parts, etc. (all just for the DAC....not sharing power with an amp). You can see pics of the inside on the internet.

Imagine a company selling a $1000 integrated amp and then also has a $2000 preamp and a $2000 power amp.....You would hope the $4000 separates would sound better. This is what Sony is offering. They have a $2000 integrated amp that is the companion to the Z1.

Since there is room in the Z1 for mods then a modded Z1 could be really seriously great. Again, a different price point and different users.