Sony DMP-Z1 Digital Music Player Signature Series

About me

I consider myself an audiophile, but I am not into Graphs and numbers (measurements). I listen to Classical music, mainly Baroque to romanticism. My library is my own FLAC and DSD Rips and downloads I have bought through the years.

DISCLAIMER

The Sony DMP-Z1 was bought by me at full price of eye-watering 8000 EUR on November 2021 at amazon Europe as my home rig.

Unboxing and accessories



Zhe DMP-Z1 comes in a huge white box which has the front of the device as main product image, you slide this carton to reveal a black box vontaining the player and accessories. Included in the box:

• DMP-Z1
• USB type C cable
• Carrying Suitcase
• AC adapter
• Euro and British plugs for the mains adapter

About the device, usability

The DMP-Z1 is sony’s first carriable DAP, a combo of desktop-grade amplifier with integrated Digital Audio Player. It runs in either AC mode or in batterz mode thanks to the 5 built-in Batteries, hence I call it some times a desktop-replacement unit.

The build of the unit is a single machined aluminum block of aluminum with a thick profile, the underside as well as the front and back panels appear to be aluminum in mirror/glass finish, while the top is either plastic or mrtal with a window,

The front houses the power button which also doubles as a screen om/off switch. In the center the enormous analog Volume pot finished in shiny Gold finish. On the right side we gave the headphone outputs – top right is the 4.4mm balanced and under this one is the standard stereo 3.5mm.

The right side houses the two microSD slots hidden within a nice door. One can add theorically up to 2TB cards in each slot. Providing a whopping 4TB öf storage.

There’s nothing on the left side. The rear has the USB C port, which can only be used for data transfers and digital audio IN (USB-DAC) and OUT, sadly is no battery charge function on the USB port. To the left is the DC-in jack to plug the included AC-Adapter or other source capable of sourcing 19V or 19.5V amd 2.35A pf current. Note that the polarity is as follows inner pin is positive and the jacket is the negative and the size of the plug is toughly 4.4mm. I use also the charger of my old sony VAIO laptop with no trouble.

The Underside has the rubber feet to prevent it from sliding off as well some infos on the model like exporter and serial number-


The top has the Sony brand and model logos below these is a 3.1’’ screen, which I find pretty lame giving the dimensions of the device thez could have smacked a bigge size here (minimum the same as the WM1A), below this is two LED indicators

• MUTING which flashes orange to denote that the auto mute function is active – more in this later – or to denote the headphone circuit protection is working,
• CHARGE which has three states GREEN means charging is complete and is connected to AC. ORANGE battery is being charged. OFF the unit is being use in Battery mode or it is turned off compl4tely with the AC plug removed,

Below is a view window to see the potentiometer in gold finish

Below are three playback buttons from left to right Previous track/rewind, play/pause and Next track/fast forward.

The UI is managed with the touch display, as the unit is only dedicated to play music the main screen is the Now-playing which shows song name, artist, album name, current track of x total, a progressbar for scrolling at any given point and on the center depending on zour choice of display type it shows either cover art or a spectrum analyser or an analogue peak (VU) meter,

On top of the cover display are some icons dedicated to the state of playback, if balanved or USB-out or Bluetooth is being used, high gain indicator, current track format and bit depth and sample rate and the battery status shown in both a battery icon and percent, and if the AC is being fed as well if a DC-in plug is detected

The UI is similar that of the original release WM1 walkmans from 2016, swiping from top to bottom reveals the library screen which has various categories to browse your music collection sd erll a button to enable USB-DAC and other button to enable Bluetooth DAC.

Back to the now playing screen. If one swipes from left to right it will show the playback queue, doing the opposite way (right to left) shown is the on-the-go playlists.

Dwiping from bottom to top shows the DSP effects area: with choices of EQ, DSEE HX (sony upsampling algorithm), a volume normalizer and Vinyl processor (recreates the warm sound of a LP),

On the bottom most area of the screen are there three icons; a playback symbol with a back arrow – returns you to playing screen, A Bookshelf – takes you to the library screen and a Toolbox icon opens the menu to access the settings and other relevant optiond,

If one taps the battery information area a pop-up shows to change between AC and battery modes and visceversa without having to go to the settings. A solid mains plug symbol denotes the AC current is being detected. This icon grayed out means the AC plug is detected but the device is running on “Battery preferred mode”, also accessed via settings, no plug icon displayed, the plug is not detected and running in battery mode- if one takes the plug out while turned on it will pause the music and switch to battery automatically and same for the other way around will switch back to AC mode when plugging the power adapter- unless battery preferred is turned on via the settings.



The auto mute feature disables volume when changing from DSP to source direct and visceversa, when enabling high gain and visceversa it requires one to turn the volume knob all way to zero and clicking on OK, fortunately it can be disabled (to some extent)

The supplied carrying case has a compartment for the player, a side flap for the AC adapter and under this one of the AC plugs, to be honest I was expecting a pouch to carry an IEM or some pairs and cables for these IEMs. Lugging zjr unit around home is not an issue. But to travel with it given the size and weight of 2.5Kg pf the player and the case plus adapter brings it to 3Kg.

Under the hood

The DMP-Z1 id equipped with dual DACs from AKM, namely the now-discontinued AK4497 in bslsnced config, supporting PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz in thr form from WAV and AIFF, for FLAC and apple lossless 24-bit/384kHz, abd for Monkey’s Audio (APE) 24-bit/192kHz. For lossy codecs we get MP3, AAC, HE-AAC and WMA. DSD is supported in dsf and dff extensions up to 11.2MHz (256x), sadly no ISO mor multichannel support.

For Bluetooth is the 4.2 version supported in both Rx and Tx duüüptzong SBC, LDAC, AptX, AptX-HD and AAC.

The operating system is sony’s Original OS, aka Walkman OS, that is simple to use and centered on Music playback at its highest quality.



On the analogue circuitboard features audiophile grade components such as; Nichicon and sony FTCAP 2 capacitors, as well dual Texas Instruments TPA6120 class AB amplifier chips in balanced config üroviding 3V (570mW) for stereo mini-jack and 5V (1500mW) for the balanced jack, both stated for a load of 16-Ohm.

For volume regulator, Sony has chosen the Alps electronics RK501 which is a high-end volume pot costing more than 1000EUR, sony has coated this piece in copper and then in Gold for an optimal sound reproduction.

The DMP-Z1 features 5 Batteries with separate supply for analogue and digital circuitboards. Made of high quality Li-Ion batteries, three (or four, I am not sure by the diagrams) are dedicated for the analogue circuit, two of them power solely the positive and negative rails. One (or two batteries) are for the digital section. My experience with battery life it is pretty close to the statements from sony





Notes on battery-life tests:

• NFC and Bluetooth Off
• Minimal to moderate screen use
• Screen brightness at 25 of 100
• Mix of 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit FLAC and DSD
• Volume between 9:00 (mostly) and 11:00
• DSP used DSEE and some times Vinyl Processor, rarely EQ

Sound analysis.

Notes on perceived sound quality:

• Balanced and single-ended (3.5mm) sound identical to my ears, being balanced slightly better than SE
• Between Battery and AC mode the onlx perceived difference is a slight decrease in volume loudness when using battery
• Using High gain does not degrade the sound as badly as the Walkman DAPs

Listening was made with the following Headphones and IEMs:

• MDR-Z1R
• IER-Z1R
• IER-M7

Summary, aka TL;DR

Excellent treble extension and detail retrieval, excellent mids which are vibrant and present, superb bass resolution and textures. Impressive imaging and separation, ebveloping spherical sökndstage that gives a quasi binaural- or multichannel recordings effect in stereo tracks. Best in class dynamic range capabilities. No distortion until yet perceived even on sudden dynamic changes, dead-pitch-black background.



Detailed sound analysis

BASS: The bass of DMP is one of these highest quality bass that I’ve heard. It reaches very low frequencies without even distorting and kicks powerfully hard without booming or bloating things up. The feeling of air movement, vibrations and ondulations (For example kettle drums, the tallest organ pipes) is impressive. Additional to this the decay of the bass is smooth analogue life-like this can be exemplified with a bass string that is left vibrating freelx until it really stopped doing it in recording session

MIDS: the mid-sectopn is also life-like, brilliant, vibrant, non-shouty mids, simply perfect male and female voices with powerful notes without a single hint of distorting (Mozart concert-aria Popoli di Tessaglia at almost end part there is a sudden dynamic and pitch change)ä one can hear the inner resonance from certain instruments very well, especially violins, cellos and lutes. Verx clear notes with clear timbre definition to distinguish each instrument, DMP takes you to each instruments soul and characteristiscs, including the sounds from mechaniscal instruments or clapping of keys in s woodwind instrument.

HIGHS; like the Mids the highs have a very excellent extension and resolution without feeling fatigue, from crusp guitar or lute string plucks and riffles to very high pitched flute and voice solos all sound clear and decay life-like. Reverb decay is excellent with the tails following until total quietness DMP’s treble is one of the best of any sony DAP to date



SEPARATION, LAYERING: Ibstruments and each member/section from an orchestra or ensemble (as well solo instruments like organ or harpsichord) are presented clearly on its own dedicated space well separated amd layered without any sign of sounding all amassed or busy even in complex passages one can hear each layer and instrument participating on the piece with such a life-like experience



SOUNDSTAGE IMAGING: Simply wow, very cavernous and extremely large in both tallness and depth abd width, I could describe as a quasi binaural and multichannel recording like effect that’s quite impressive, literal notes come from everywhere, Is like an enveloping sphere around you that transports to the recording session. One hear this in front, in the middle, on the sides, on my back simply best Imaging in class. I can hear the actual room spaciousness where the recording was made. This is summit-fi level and these soundstage amd imaging I got onlx live events, not from a tiny Walkman DAP…



On all Headphones listed these characteristics are similar, only both Z1R beating the M7 across the board.

Bass MDR-Z1R>= IER-Z1R > IER-M7

Mids MDR-Z1R = IER-Z1R > M7

High IER-Z1R > MDR > M7

Separation/lazering MDR-Z1R = IER-Z1R > IER-M7

Staging/imaging MDR>IER-z1R>M7

Sony DMP-Z1





Practicality:
DMP-Z1 is practical in some limited ways. For example, you would think about traveling with it, but it won’t be worth it unless you are on a very long trip. So, to carry it around, it may only be a more viable way to carry it from office to home and so on. I carry it from home to work, and it can last the whole working day without charging up. It can fully unfold MQA if that is what you are seeking for, and if so, the combination of MQA+LDAC+DSEE-HX will do it. However, in my experiences, I rather listen to High-quality Streaming DAP, the Dx208EX does have a better performances directly instead of using it as A LDAC source


It can take in AC-power directly, so the battery will not be tapped unless needed. I did build a dedicated linear-regulated power supply just for it to plug in directly to a wall outlet just like any desktop system should be. You can use any linear psu if you so prefer

it comes with a compact Wall AC charger, USB Type C, and no Walkman Port. The only digital port is USB type-C

It has External USB feature and only wireless feature is Bluetooth DAC, NFC if you are a fan of it.

The shiny finishes while being very nice and fancy to look at. It is easily scratched up. Especially the Golden volume knob which can be hairline scratches if wiped with clean dry cloth too much!

It is also a finger-print catching beast. Playing with it for 30 seconds and you can see your finger prints all over it like a crime scene being investigated


Having purchased it is just the beginning. The burn in period is so long! So very long! It took a lot of changes from 1-200 hours and about, but started to be enjoyable beyond 200 hours and upto 700 hours it is still changing but not as observable, and only have stopped changing at the mark of around 900-1000 hours. It is also another reason why it took me so long to even think so much about it to compose a review.


First thing first, the DMP-Z1 is warmth, but in a way that is very enjoyable, and even if you are a fan of neutrality, you would still find that it is so enjoyable when you paired it with the most neutral pieces of equipment you can find. Not only that you could pair it with Headphones, but IEMS, and also External Amplifier toward your stereos system.


The dynamic and the resolution is almost absolute when even if you listen to the lowest volume that is barely bearable during a very silent midnight sessions, and together with excellent textures and extensions as if you were to turn it so loud and slam your ears out, the performances remain unchanged. It is a solid proof of such excellent dynamic range, and low noise floor. In fact, I think it is the most quiet piece of equipment I have heard until the moment. Even when plugged into a Power Outlet and enable AC preferred mode, I was unable to observe any invasive or noticeable noises. Even Bluetooth and WiFi modes. But don’t hear what I gotta say about WiFi and Bluetooth as I am not a fan of it, and it was more like a quick observation to witness what It features could extend up to


The DMP-Z1 with it simplest build that only come with 4.4mm headphone out and 3.5mm without line out, each of these ports as I said would have no problems acting as preamplifier out. USB type C for file transfer, acting as External DAC, dual MicroSD slots, and 19.5V PSU input which can also take up Dedicated Linear Regulated Power Supply to it, and with the ability to flip on AC mode, you can listen to it nonstop from the external PSU without battery to interfere.

Sound signature:
The imagines is so very vivid, with every thing just popped out of the portrait with such inner resolutions for every pieces of equipments, every pitch (starting to ending), every note, the housing resonances of each instruments or the reverberations of the room ambient. The sharp yet defined and liquid textures of each play. You can no longer be confused between each pieces of the whole pictures, each of the same categories instruments, the cues of positioning, the projected images are so clear and vivid while being so smooth, fluid, and very well connected as a whole...again, except that warmth. But when were the last time I could listen to something like this ? With such vividity, inner resolutions, fluidity and very analog like ? Well...never for any Digital pieces. So! Of course loving it.

soundstage:
since the Z7 and the NW-Zx2, I have always loved the soundstage of these Sony equipments. Yet, it needs neither gigantic in width nor depth nor expansive enough to be so special. What so special about Sony soundstage to my Opinion is that “spherical and holographical” presentations. The Zx2 were good, the WM1Z were similar but with better width and much taller Y axis. Now, the DMP-Z1, the spherical goes evenly Holographic. It is Spherical in all 3 axis, X-Y-Z...well the Y may not be as huge of the spherical as X and Z but all 3 are especially blended nicely to give out a very special spherical and holographical presentation. I, myself, feel like being enveloped and trapped within these 3 fields with guilty pleasures.

Bass: plenty of energy, slam, authoritative, speed, tightly controlled but yet still soft enough like a Firm Jelly, taking shape with defined resolution and defined density but neither too dry nor bloomy. It goes deep, and deeper, with excellent rumbles and extensions. The Drop and the ripples are so well defined. If makes me feel like the dances , textures and shapes of each bass textures are with infinite possibilities. It can changes slightly with others DSP, but this is in general observation

Vocal: Vocal are fluid, the emotions and textures of female and male vocal may changes with different digital filters. You can read on below to find out further. But there is no short coming from vocal to really point out the negatives about it

Treble: with finesses, Metallic resonances and sparkling are never missing. The airiness and extensions are so vivid and realistic without any hint of harshness even with Metal and Rock genres. It can be said to neither be overly smooth nor sharp, but just right, and of which I would call it being very accurately portraying the Metal instruments sizes and kind being played. It can still change it characteristics somewhat with the other DSP options but that is in general observations

Oh, again, that Dynamic, silences and strong dynamic are overwhelming. I could listen to the sound during 1:00 AM with so little volume, but still hearing every details and textures! Crazy! Definitely

There are so much features and DSP that comes with the DMP-Z1


1/ DSD Remastering

2/ Direct Mode

3/ DAC Filtering modes with 6 options from AKM

4/ Native DSD upto 256x

5/ DSD low bit conversion filtering 2x modes

6/ Vynil Engine with 4x options

7/ Tone controls for Bass/Mid/Treble

8/ DSEE-HX

9/ Dynamic Normalizer


It would take forever to play around and analyze each sound. Each of it is so very well implemented, except Dynamic normalizer, which is never my cup of tea, and when you are done playing with one, you would be moving onto another and never would have felt bored


To get into these tweaking, go to setting, Sound setting.


DSD Remastering: my favorite hands down


This mode, you will have to turn on Direct Mode to bypass all Digital processing or filtering by the AK4497EQ itself. Under this mode, your Proprietary Sony DSP interface will be the one that process and apply Sony very unique and proprietary modulations and algorithms. I was not able to confirm but I think it does upto 64x Oversampling into DSD64x. This feature together with DSD Filtering set at Slow-Roll off, and it is already my favorite feature, which I was stuck with for a very very long time. The emotions, the precision of the inner resolutions for excellent timbres realism, the weighty dynamic, the depth of soundstage, the vertical soundstage that is so tall and vivid! In this mode, the sound signature is kind of like a Hybrid of everything The silences of Digital music with speed, and the fluidity of the analog music. To put in perspective, DSD-Remastering is the best I have heard from any software or devices on this DMP. It analog like sound isn’t as fluid and smooth as using AK4497EQ chips, but it is less warmth while presenting the connectivity, and the emotions very well.


Direct Mode: When in this mode, the DMP-Z1 is acting like a NOS or Non Over Sampling devices. It does conversion without Digital filtering. In fact, I observed 2 different instances that when ticked on Direct-Mode, which is needed to Enable DSD-Remastering, the DAC Filterings options from AK4497EQ is likely not applied as I heard no observable changes when I switch filter options on battery mode. When on LPSU mode the changes into alternatives signatures are more observable as below.


DAC Filters Options: Normally, Digital filters and it alternated sound characteristics are very hard to observe, but if the DAC-Chip and the Amp sections are all implemented well enough. It would be easier to spot out the differences. The DMP-Z1 is one example of that.

Unlike the Other Settings, this setting is in “Basic setting——Output setting——DAC filtering section” and not “sound setting”, which can be a little confused. There are 6 options together. Also as mentioned previously, these filters with different sound characteristics are easier to observe once the Direct Mode is turned off. I observed the following.


1/ Sharp: Vocal is with stronger inner resolutions, more focused. Bass is tighter , faster and faster while trebles is rolled off faster. The Metallic resonances and sparkles is more gentle but yet still vivid. The whole performances is presented with a more clear and transparent signature with somewhat gentle on string attacks with focused vocalist. Vibratos from singers is presented but will not connect as much as the #2. The most unique about this filter is that the surrounding spherical soundstage is so presenting that you may have to look over your shoulders to make sure someone isn’t there.


2/ Slow: Vocal is presented with a thinner line in inner resolutions, yet focused but is more breathy in textures and less focused than #1. The kind of vivid textures and not short of breathes! The Vibratos skills of any skillful singers would be clearly presented. This is the best filters for Vocal addicts In my opinions. There are goose bumps with every lines! Therefore, I think it is best with Jazz, Ballads....whatever else that is Vocal Focused. Beside this, the Extensions of both Bass and trebles extend more than #1 especially the Metallic Resonances with different characteristics for each instruments can clearly be observed. A Metallic resonances from brass instruments for Cymbal splashes are different than the metallic resonances of hi hat. Strings from guitar resonances are different than Bass, Violin...etc....each resonances are well rendered, vivid, and super defined. The connections and flows are excellent, the fluidity is straight out addictive In my Opinion. Soundstage is still just as expansive and excellent as #1. Most noticeably is the density of energy for low spectrum. Very thick and Dense!


3/ Short Delay Sharp: This is presenting with Breathy Vocal like #2 but with a more defined treble details, sharper attacks with excellent Metallic resonances while Bass is faster and tighter than #2, but is more similar to #1. In fact, I think this is the combination of Great vocal and trebles definitions from #2 and quick, clean bass attacks together with the transparency from #1. However, for Vocal addicts and genres that are more vocal focused. I would love to go with #2. But that is just me


4/ Short Delay Slow: The Bass and it extensions, guitar housing resonances are similar to #2. However, Vocal is Stronger in textures and more definitive with less breathy characteristics just like #1. String attacks and metallic resonances on metal and brass instruments are not as sparkling just like #1. I do think this mode is the combination of Bass and Low from #2 with vocal and treble extensions from #1


5/ Super Slow: The resonances of Bass and Guitar woody housing is very pronounced and focused. The extensions are very Dense and at great Viscosity. It is like Creamy and dense. Vocal is breathy and vibratos is at play still but Female Vocals are more addictive than Male Vocal as Male vocals is warmer in character than Female vocals. The trade off is the attacks from String instruments are less satisfying than the other filters, and while the attacks, extensions and resonances of Metallic instruments are less sparkling and extending. I would say if you want to get specific here. It is excellent for Orchestra, or any Albums that is Female vocal and String instruments


6/ Low Dispersion Short Delay: Yes, this Transparency and clarity with excellent Metallic resonances and timbres. The extensions that Extend to infinity! The best and addictive for anyone who love Metallic resonances and it sparkling. Cymbal crashes and hi hat are giving goose bumps with each ting and strokes! Bass and string instruments have shorter extensions that render guitars housing and woody drum housing less satisfying but still realistic but faster in presentation. It is still realistic but with less fluidity and connections which yield for great clarity and transparency for that Metallic tingling. Vocal and mid have a little step back, not by much but observable. This effect created a more immersive and Grande soundstage with great depth in trade off for the vividity of surrounded spherical staging. You don’t have to look over your shoulders to make sure someone isn’t there like #1 and #2. I would rate this being the best for Modern POP, Soft Rock, EDM, and or anything with metallic instruments.


For my own enjoyment. I would rate that I love “DSD remastering” as the #1 on the listed feature. Then when it comes down to Direct Mode Off, I would tick on DSEE-HX and Enjoy the AKM Velvet filters of #1, #2 and #6 according to what I listed above. Especially #2 for anything with organic instruments and Vocal, then #6 for whatever the rest of my genres including Modern Pop.


Therefore, DSD remastering as Mentioned, it is especially a Programmed algorithms from Sony modulation with Sony proprietary filters using Sony very own Digital Signal Processing and Digital interface chip set. The ability of AKM AK4497EQ to allow external filters and bypass mode (mind you, a reason why Sony decided to go with AK4497EQ) and the ability to process low bit conversions. As mentioned earlier, this is my favorite Feature together with DSD filtering Slow-Roll Off is my favorite feature. I do not think organic instruments, Vocals, and it realism can get any better than this. The Analog fluidity, tempo, and smoothness with ocean of details and metallic resonances. It is no doubt in my mind the greatest way to enjoy my DMP-Z1.


So, when compared DSD256, which is a future proof for whenever Studios and engineers feel that they are ready to release the albums that is Engineering correct under DSD256 format. At the moment, DSD256 can be enjoyed with a built PC and a program that can process Sigma Delta on the fly or Offline processing with my favorite Program being HQPlayer and HQplayer4Pro.


How do they compare from one another ? Offline conversion, on the fly, and DSD remastering of Sony very own features ? Let’s put it in a short conclusion. I rather store PCM and use DSD remastering from Sony. There are subtle extensions and energies that can only be extracted and observed with Sony DSD remastering engine. It makes for a more Realistic and connected listening experiences. When compared to the great HQPlayerPro DSD256 which is clearly better in transparency, clarity, imagines and details....but lacking a little of those realisms and connections. I don’t know exactly what that is, but that is my 2 cents. I do, however, still prefer to enjoy DSD256/512 by HQplayer4Pro on other DAPs, like my Ibasso DX228EX.


DSD low bit Processing and filter options: These are not effected when you are using Direct Mode Off and DAC features. Only effective when listening to Native DSD or DSD remastering with Direct Mode on


1/ Slow Roll-Off: That Density in within the Timbres which is very dense and Focused at the core of each timbres and quickly disperses but with Excellent edges textures. It creates the best of Vocal emotions, textures, breathes, vibratos, the realism and connections of it fluidity for the pictures as a whole. The clarity, extensions and metallic sparkles is excellent and vivid but with the Edges Textures less defined than the #2. However, this is my favorites DSD filter Mode of the 2


2/ Sharp Roll-Off: Vocal loses it density with everything else. The Core of it density is less dense than #1 but with sharper and more defined Edges of Textures. I guess, this is excellent for anyone who love Sharp edges, faster attacks and defined signature.


Vynil Engine: This is under Sound setting, and As Mentioned, The effects is more observable with Direct Mode Off. There are 4x Types to enjoy. Yes, without DSD remastering, I constantly have DSEE HX on. Previously I never adored DSEE HX on any of Sony Walkman, even WM1Z, but with the DMP, it is a world of differences


When turned on, the most noticeable is the Density of timbres energy. It becomes slightly thicker, and then the shape of this very density will change according to the type you just selected. The sound characteristics also will change and it will be hand in hand with your DAC filterings as well. All of my observations is focused on #2 from DAC filtering options “Slow”. Changes in timbres density also carry onto the edges textures of everything, hence it will slightly alter the picture as a whole, not much, but slightly and yet still enjoyable.


1/ Standard: the Density is focused to be strongest in the Core of the Timbres. Addictive Percussion and it slams!


2/ Arm Resonances: Metallic resonances are boosted up a bit to make it pop out even more with the effects of #2 to add up. If you love Emotional Vocals, metallic sparkles and Analog liquidity. There is nothing better than this combination, #2 Slow, and #2 Vynil


3/ Turn Table Resonances: The density of Timbres is a little thinner, not by much but yield a better clarity and transparency for the whole picture, especially with the Metallic resonances and sparkling to be further pop out in comparison to #2. However, in my opinion, it trade off is that the rest of Guitar and string plays just lose it realism and authenticity, which is also less connected as a whole picture. The most unflavored and down voted from my preferences


4/ Surface Noise: this is exactly what it is as the name implied. With Brass instruments textures being sharpened up, and Other metallic instruments being faster, with some grains in it edges textures which create a very authentic and realistic distortions of these very texture and nothing else. String instruments will also show it very own distortions in these textures which is also different than Saxophone or Metallic Drums. This is excellent for classic Rock, soft rock, and other genres that have many of those enjoyable moment. This is also one of my favorite for classical rock and EDM. Please notice that these distortions are different than the distortions from DSP processing “Errors” which create a very random and uncomfortable grains, harsh texture, or distortions at these places. I have never heard of something like this but enjoyable and realistic. If you call others devices grains and harshness to be an overcome or corrections for Errors, then here with the DMP, it is a very artful techniques to reproduce the authenticity and realism of Metallic instruments.


Please notice that these effects will literally changes upon your selection of Digital Filters. Please play around with them and find your very own unique preferences.


Tone Control: Bass, Mid, Trebles


What can I say ? You can turn on EQ, or tap onto setting again and pick Tone control for 3 spectrums. My apologize that I am not and never had been a fan of digital EQ....well I was when I was a kid. But that was just because I was never satisfied with cheap stuff, and so I had to tweak around without knowing what I was doing. With all that said, please allow me to By pass this feature.


DSEE-HX: This feature allow every field from MP3 and to even CD quality to be upscaled into High-resolution sound. Basically, even with some 24/96, I still can observe it effects.


So what changes ? Why Do I like this one so much in comparison to other Sony pieces ? The effects is more pronounced, The textures get a little more vivid, not by much but is observable. The separations is also improve by a little. However, the most noticeable changes is that it is no longer sounding like it is Artificial anymore. The best DSEE-HX from all Sony pieces that I had gone through, and for all that said, it is a Must when DSD Remastering is Off.


Dynamic Normalizer: This feature allow the listener to enjoy all different albums and recording at different level of loudness and volume to be always the same at output level. I never liked this feature anywhere, and I also prefer to touch and turn my Golden Knob. So, please also allow me to exit here.


Conclusion: The DMP-Z1 is first and foremost, an Instrument in it litterateur, an artist that can polish, paints and portrait your very own Digital sources under different impressions but at the fluidity and vividity that is very addictive and haunting. It haunts me so much personally that just giving it a test ride, would induce obsession of owning it, and it has to happen.....even if I have to eat Ramen for years! It is also the first device to be created and generate it own market for Transportable or Carriable as Sony engineerings has categorized it over and over in definition in many interviews. Therefore, allow me to call the DMP-Z1 to be the Carriable Player. The uses of Electrolytic Capacitors that is Surface mounting, the Glass epoxy PCB with the lay out and each Copper traces to be carefully thought out and spacing from one another to allow cooling and avoid interferences. The DMP-Z1 barely got warmed up after hours of enjoyment, regardless of what you throw at it, be it as DSD256 or charging and playing together.

The dedication from each engineers to eliminate interferences, electrical noises, and white noises that can introduce errors and trigger error-corrections from DSP algorithms and or DAC-IC, this is carefully thought through from each silicon being used, each Capacitors as a result of many powerful and customized PML caps all around, F-resistors to retain the original signals and it amplitudes as much as possible, and even Solder that is Gold infused to assure the best conductivity that is dedicated toward analog sound performances. The RK501, the Kimber cables internally 16 cores from the Analog board into Headphone out.

You may also don’t think so but the TPA Headphone Amplification IC is also well measured, thought out, and even listened and justified to be here as the best possible application for such a Carriable devices that bring Digital music performances the way I myself have never heard, to be able to listen to it anywhere, any room of the house, Traveling, vacations with it, or whatever! The experiences is endless, together with so many possible sound characteristics, signatures Features, and my inner beast is finally satisfied and lay low, closing it eyes, stopped it craving for better sound quality, the characteristics that it had always been seeking for, detailed, polished textures, defined, yet continuous, with excellent flow that connect the whole experiences as a portrait of a picture, the emotions of each density within the timbres, the realism of organic instruments.

Sleep, my little inner beast, I know this DMP-Z1 is and will always be the best piece of equipment in Digital Music world in my toy collections, because for once, you agreed to lay down and close your eyes without craving for anything more. The combination of HD800s + DMP Z1 and whatever cables that meet your flavor is truly one of the many end games to be considered.


Additionally the best feature about DMP-Z1: it can run off from external Linear regulated power supply which is totally directly and does not use the battery as a source of power at all.

I did build a Sigma 11 for the DMP-Z1 and turn off “battery preferred mode”. This will enable the running directly from external source. The reason why I chose Sigma 11 is due to it being discrete design throughout with superbly low noises. Given that the PSU was built with all the “audiophile grades” components. The performances is hugely improved. We are talking about an obvious jump in performances. The differences is observable right away with my HD800S.

Sound improvements: there are a couple things first, under this mode. My favorite ways to enjoy the DMP-Z1 is actually “direct mode” with all DSP turned off, including DSEE-HX or DSD remastering.

The bass slam has much more authority, powerful blooms and ripples but very tightly controlled, the airiness, the textures details , transparency, and other resolutions are improved, including soundstage. The performances and it quality will be affected by the choice of your very own PSU. I do not hear much improvement with HD-Plex 400W linear PSU. Therefore, by using an external Regulated Linear Power Supply and this mode, you can affect the DMP-Z1 performances with how your PSU was built.

So, please choose your LPSU carefully as it will elevate your music experiences into another plane at your choices. I would say that this transforms the DMP-Z1 from a Carriable device into a High-end Miniaturized Desktop all in one System


This review is only published as a layout to what DMP-Z1 can bring, we all have different personal preferences, experiences. Therefore, please give the DMP-Z1 a listen, while I am head over heels with this instrument, you may not be.