Featured Product – February 2014
Hoping to add some much needed convenience to high-resolution digital music, Sony unleashed a new line of audio components that makes it easier than ever to take full advantage of your digital music library.
Read on and see why we went with the flagship Sony HAP-Z1ES for our February 2014 Featured Product.
Why we chose the Sony HAP-Z1ES
When it comes to how you enjoy your music, chances are you’ve already made a few sacrifices.
Though convenient, streaming services like Spotify, Rhapsody, and Pandora lack the audio fidelity of an actual CD, SACD, or vinyl record. On the other hand, you’re fairly limited in terms of portability and selection when it comes to most physical music formats.
High-resolution audio has been around for a while, but managing – and sometimes just playing – the long list of various file types can be a chore.
Wouldn’t it be better if you could enjoy your hi-res digital library without having to account for file type, bitrate, and whether you have the proper codecs to play it in the first place? You’d finally be able to spend more time enjoying your music than you do fiddling with the media player on your computer.
The Sony HAP-Z1ES makes it simple to enjoy high-resolution audio as intended, without sacrificing fidelity in the name of convenience.
Recognizing nearly every digital audio format available, the HAP-Z1ES automatically plays your music back at the proper bitrate, so you hear it as it’s meant to be heard. This also means you’ll enjoy CD-quality and higher without ever having to get up and change a disc.
It’s simple to operate, backed by the performance and good looks we love, making the Sony HAP-Z1ES a no-brainer for anyone who loves digital music.
Sony HAP-Z1ES reviews
While reviews are still pending, we expect big things from the Sony HAP-Z1ES. Andy Madden of What Hi-Fi has already stated that, “It’s great to see a global manufacturer like Sony pushing hard for high-res music.”
As audio enthusiasts, we certainly agree, and our experiences with the Sony HAP-Z1ES have been wonderful up to this point. While you await professional reviews, we invite you to check out the HAP-Z1ES at a HiFi House showroom near you and form your own opinion.
Sony HAP-Z1ES specs and highlights*
Photo courtesy of Sony.
With built-in Wi-Fi and an ample 1TB of internal storage space, the HAP-Z1ES is ready to go right out of the box. Storage is expandable, so if your digital musical collection ranges anywhere from “massive” to “colossal,” you can easily connect another hard drive to the USB port on the back of the unit.
Transferring music to the Sony HAP-Z1ES is incredibly painless and can be managed by almost anyone. Just download Sony’s free software, install it on your Mac or PC, run the program, and select the music folder you would like to export. Everything transfers using your existing home network, meaning no additional wires or cables – just click, wait a bit, and you’re ready to rock.
The best part is the HAP-Z1ES support for DSD and the full range of high-resolution file formats. Along with DSD (DSF, DSDIFF), PCM, and DSD (2.8/5.6MHz) music playback, HAP-Z1ES is capable of playing all the best audio formats, including:
- WAV
- AIFF
- FLAC
- ALAC
- ATRAC
- MP3
- AAC
- WMA
The HAP-Z1ES also features Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE). This means the player is able to restore your music and repair some of the damage done to the file during the compression process, resulting in a more natural, spacious sound that’s closer to the source material than you’d hear on your computer.
The HAP-Z1ES also has Analog FIR Filters that – according to Sony – “eliminate differences in phase response, reducing listening fatigue while improving transparency,” a feature that you’ll absolutely hear when listening to your favorite tracks through the HAP-Z1ES.
Available in an elegant silver finish, the HAP-Z1ES is one gorgeous piece of gear. With a vibrant 4.3″ LCD display and an easily navigated GUI, the HAP-Z1ES is a modest, yet beautiful piece of equipment that’s sure to compliment any high-end AV equipment rack or entertainment center.
As mentioned, controlling the Sony HAP-Z1ES is a breeze. While you can use the included remote or the buttons on the face of the unit, we prefer Sony’s free “HDD Audio” app, available for Android and iOS tablets and smartphones. With a low learning curve, you’ll be able to get right to your music with minimal effort, regardless of your technological expertise.
Get the HDD Audio app: iOS | Android
Where to demo or buy the Sony HAP-Z1ES
HiFi House is excited to bring you Sony’s full line of high-resolution audio products, including the HAP-Z1ES. Whether you’re a long-time audiophile hoping to get more from your digital music collection or simply want to make it easier to enjoy your favorite albums in hi-res, we look forward to designing your custom audio solution.
Swing by for a demo at our showrooms in Broomall, Jenkintown, and Wilmington. We can’t wait to show you what the HAP-Z1ES can do for you.
Click here for your appointment to demo the Sony HAP-Z1ES music player, or call 1.800.990.4434.
Full specs and more at Sony.com.
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