HD music server from Sony ... plays back DSD,

Paul

Paul

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Found interesting player. Anybody know about this player yet ? finally I'm thinking to get in to digital world. however I don't know much about them. ( well...I have Logitech touch lol )

Please let me know where I should start with....

Do you guys think this player is good to start with ?

pSNYNA-HAPZ1ES_main_v500.png


1TB Hi-Res Music Player System - HAPZ1ES Review | Sony Store U.S. - Sony US
 
It was discussed a month or two ago. Sony also announced they would start letting their music be downloaded in DSD files. They made a big splash about embracing high-res music.

Their music server seemed pretty nice on paper. My only gripe is they do not have digital out, so you are stuck with the internal DAC. However, for getting started it appears great. It should be years before you might think of moving on.
 
Thank you for chime in. What would you recommend ? I do have some hi-res files ( more than 2 TB) I would like to build up some digital system very near future. What should I look for ? Also I'm planning to purchase the Mac book soon too.

I just don't know where to start and not planning to upgrade too soon so has to be decent.






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How you doin' Bud; where's the real action happening now in the hi-res digital world? :)

* Good thread's start Doug as a HD music server is in my near future; I've got to keep up with my real surroundings.
...Have a heart. ♥ ...Wrapped around more accessible world music. ♪

Almost everyone now (audio manufacturer) has one or two or even three music servers.
And that Sony is attractive to both men an women with that cute front panel display (album cover in color).

- I believe that I can play hi-res DSD audio files with my Oppo 103.
 
I like my Bryston BDP1 digital file player, and the BDA2 DAC. Add a Shunyata Python AES digital cable, and two Shunyata Alpha digital power cords, and you have a great music server. However, at this time these products do not play DSD files. If I were buying now I would get the BDP2 instead. It has more RAM, supports more external drives, and supports NAS drives.

The benefit here over the Sony is either piece can be upgraded. The drawback is you need another power cord, and the digital interconnect.
 
Bud, Thanks again. Actually I did listen the BDP2 while I was auditioning the PMC speakers. I did like the sounds.

So seems like it doesn't support the DSD either. Do you still recommend the unit without capable of playing the DSD ?
 
Your best bet is still a proper PC-based media server, and connecting via USB (or USB->SPDIF) to the DAC of your choice. This gives you an open system with unlimited source potential; your only limit will be the DAC (which is easily replaced, whereas migrating from a closed-loop "player" can cost you either a ton of money or a ton of time).
 
-E- said:
Your best bet is still a proper PC-based media server, and connecting via USB (or USB->SPDIF) to the DAC of your choice. This gives you an open system with unlimited source potential; your only limit will be the DAC (which is easily replaced, whereas migrating from a closed-loop "player" can cost you either a ton of money or a ton of time).
Click to expand...

Thanks Emile. so does the Mac is way to go ??? I really the Mac Air or should I just go with Mac book pro ? Do I have to purchase any software to run through my Ipad or Iphone ? Sorry I really don't know nothing about it. What kind of Dac would you recommend ? something simple and easy to use but has to be something close to my SACD player sounds though..
 
Mac is the last thing I recommend. That is considered bottom of the barrel for SQ.

Win front end with properly configured JRiver for playback is the winner. And you can still use all your iOS devices as remote controls so you still have a 'mac-like' UI for those that freak at the notion of M$.

dACs are entirely budget dependent. About the only thing I guide clients toward is the avoidance of anything with a SabreDAC in it.
 
BlueMcIntosh said:
Bud, Thanks again. Actually I did listen the BDP2 while I was auditioning the PMC speakers. I did like the sounds.

So seems like it doesn't support the DSD either. Do you still recommend the unit without capable of playing the DSD ?
Click to expand...

Certainly. DSD isn't the end-all. Plus, according to James Tanner, VP of Marketing at Bryston, who also answers questions in the Bryston forum, they are working on a firmware upgrade for the BDP2 to play DSD. Of course, you would still need a DAC for DSD.

This is is a much better option than a computer. A computer is designed to do many things, and all at the least cost. You have vibration noise from spinning drives, cheap and electrically noisy power supply, circuit boards designed for low cost, crappy internal wiring, and anything else that will negatively affect the sound quality. The BDP is designed to correct all those problems. Visit the Bryston forum here and ask others who use this player.
 
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-E- said:
Mac is the last thing I recommend. That is considered bottom of the barrel for SQ.

Win front end with properly configured JRiver for playback is the winner. And you can still use all your iOS devices as remote controls so you still have a 'mac-like' UI for those that freak at the notion of M$.

dACs are entirely budget dependent. About the only thing I guide clients toward is the avoidance of anything with a SabreDAC in it.
Click to expand...


≥≥≥...............
 
-E- said:
Mac is the last thing I recommend. That is considered bottom of the barrel for SQ.

Win front end with properly configured JRiver for playback is the winner. And you can still use all your iOS devices as remote controls so you still have a 'mac-like' UI for those that freak at the notion of M$.

dACs are entirely budget dependent.
About the only thing I guide clients toward is the avoidance of anything with a Sabre DAC in it.
Click to expand...

Why is that Emile (the Sabre DAC)?
 
It's no secret I'm not a fan of the SabreDAC. Every one I've tested (even with other people in the group testing with me) have the same conclusion: not for me/us, and not to recommend.
 
I see, a personal listening evaluation, thanks.

* I'm no expert, and I've read quite a few about Oppo BD players; in particular regarding the BDP-95 and the BDP-105, which are both using Sabre DACs.
And there seems to be a lot of people who are very satisfy with the overall stereo sound quality when using the analog stereo outputs (RCA unbalanced or XLR balanced).
BTW, they both use two Sabre32 Reference ES9018 DAC chips (each chip is an integrated 8-channel DAC; so sixteen stereo DACs all together are in each player, and implemented differently from one another).
And the Oppo BDP-105 is also a DAC in itself (a good one according to many owners), and a preamp too, and has a headphone preamp stage (also a good one) and it plays hi-rez DSD audio files from direct downloads.

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Like I said I'm no expert, and by the way, the McIntosh MCD500 CD/SACD player was the first player to use ESS Technology's Sabre DAC; the ESS 9008, with sixteen individual mono DACs (eight stereo DACs) on a single chip.

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DACs aren't everything, we all know that; the implementation and configuration and associate digital filters also play an important role, same as the power supplies and quality parts used thorough and audio signal's path.
With that said I like the Ring DAC, the Burr-Brown PCM-1704K DAC (& PCM-1702), and the Burr-Brown PCM-1792 (or/& DSD-1792) DAC meself.

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As an aside, I don't know if this can be of any value to someone: Pioneer Elite N-50 Network Audio Player | Sound & Vision
 
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