Sony HAP-Z1ES ES DSD Music Streamer

Like new in box, complete with all accessories and remote. Lightly used in a second home system, has a few gigs of music stored which can be wiped out prior to shipping if you prefer.  This unit is constantly improving as Sony uploads new software every few months providing additional functionality and features.  

Build quality is absolutely ridiculous and I can’t understand how Sony makes any money on the these.  

Golden Ear Award Winner, 2014 – The Absolute Sound

"Outstanding," Says Stereophile

Enjoy digital music, all of your digital music, without the need of your computer thanks to the versatile and great sounding Sony HAP-Z1ES player. It comes with a huge amount of built-n storage space, enough to accommodate even large collections of digital files. It supports DSD and the full range of hi-res and compressed file formats along with Wi-Fi for easy transfer of songs from your computer. A large, four-inch front-panel GUI makes operation a pleasure.

"Sony's HAP-Z1ES is an integrated single-box player that is of the highest sonic quality," reports Kalman Rubinson at Stereophile.com, May 2, 2014. "With hi-rez files, the Sony's sound was outstanding… DSD recordings, too, sounded absolutely first-rate."

"Attractively Priced Yet Fully Featured"

The Absolute Sound magazine awarded the Sony HAP-Z1ES its coveted Golden Ear Award for 2014 in the September 2014 issue. "For audiophiles and music lovers who want to listen to high-quality digital music files without the hassles of keeping another computer working, the HAP-Z1ES is an attractively priced yet fully featured option," notes Steven Stone. "Its sound quality was such that it rivals comparably priced stand-alone DACs, yet delivers more functionality…"

Hi-Res Music Playback

Digital music formats love the Sony HAP-Z1ES, which plays then back flawlessly, including DSD. Its repertoire includes a wide range of file formats, including DSD (DSF, DSDIFF), PCM (44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz and 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit) DSD (2.8/ 5.6 MHz), WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, ATRAC Advanced Lossless, ATRAC, MP3, AAC, and WMA formats.

Oodles of Onboard Storage for Music Playback

Most digital music players make you keep your computer powered up for digital file playback, but not the Sony. It doesn't depend on your computer's hard drive. It has one of its own. A very sizable one! The built-in 1TB hard drive provides oodles of storage space. It will store music in all formats for local music playback, which you download from your computer via a wired or wireless connection.

Need even more capability? You've got it. The storage space is expandable using USB external hard drives, which you can plug into the Sony.

DSD Re-mastering Engine

DSD performance is without equal on the HAP-Z1ES with its DSD Remastering Engine. This ideal D/A conversion system combines a high-performance DSP and FPGA (field programmable gate array) to convert all signals to 128 FS DSD signals. It was designed based on know-how garnered from Sony’s direct eight-times oversampling and Extended SBM (Super Bit Mapping) technology for professional recorders.

Compressed files also excel with the Sony. Its proprietary Digital Sound Enhancement Engine offers natural sound with a spacious feel. It achieves this by restoring high frequency sound and the tail shape of the waveform likely to be removed through the audio compression process.

For best possible performance with a wide range of integrated amps, receivers, preamps, and other audiophile gear, the Sony gives you both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs.

Analog FIR Filters

The HAP-Z1ES has a premium digital-to-analog converter that effectively reduces high-frequency noise in DSD signals for exceptional musical purity. It features independent right and left channels, with four analog FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters per channel producing a combined one-clock delay. FIR filters are ideal for D/A conversion of DSD signals and are one of the reasons why the Sony sounds so musical.

Wi-Fi Built-in, Plus Wired Connectivity

Newly designed built-in Wi-Fi increasing whole-house coverage and signal strength. HAP-Z1ES is rigorously tested to ensure its Wi-Fi signal strength. This real world testing is to certify it will work under the most extreme conditions. Use Wi-Fi to download files from your computer, or use a wired connection to your network.

Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, included music transfer software makes it easy for you to select your music folder and sync it with the HAP-Z1ES.

iOS and Smartphone Control

Download the free ‘HDD Audio Remote’ app for iOS devices and Android phones and tablets. This dedicated app lets you control your listening experience. Create playlists, search stored music and full track control.

Low-Phase Noise Liquid Crystal Oscillator

The master clock acting as the performance standard for D/A conversion is vital to achieving high sound quality. In particular, sound quality is strongly impacted by phase noise. This unit employs a liquid crystal oscillator with extremely low phase noise to achieve an ultra-clear sound field.

Two Large-Capacity Separate Twin Transformers

For analog and digital circuits, big and powerful transformers are used individually. The transformers are treated with impregnation in a vacuum. In a power block, analog circuit and digital circuit are separated strictly. It can remove some adverse effect from digital noise.

The ES Frame And Beam Chassis

The FB chassis, composed of a frame and beams, has a long and cherished tradition in the Sony ES Series. It offers both high-precision mounting of parts and high rigidity, achieving a high-fidelity sound field carrying large amounts of information. Notably, the base is composed of two plates of differing thickness that provide sturdy support for the chassis. There are two additional base plates beneath the transformers as well, offering robust reinforcement that anchors the transformers firmly in place.

WHO WE ARE 

Skyfi.nyc is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning and reselling of select high end audio equipment.  

We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about.  No mid-fi, no gimmicks and no junk.  

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ year of experience in the Hifi world.  If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specification it will not be sold.  We are select about the equipment we purchase focusing in mostly analogue high build quality American and European built units which we find to have an incredible long lifespan while maintaining good sonics.  

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Project and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts and service support.  If you are local and are looking for any new equipment for the above mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area.    

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions just ask and let us know the exact model, condition and what accessories are included such as a box, remote, manual etc.  We will only consider high end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and would typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated processors and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to sell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning and packaging the incoming equipment.  If your looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user.  

HOW TO VISIT US

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood NJ.  Your welcomed to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store so please don’t make an appointment if your just curious as how a speaker or piece of equipped sounds.  In essence no tire kickers please.  

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text  646 852 2073 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  

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