[addyg]

My 5 cents:

There is no DAP can challenge the dmp-z1 in term of sound quality, sound stage, hi-fi quality.

It is on par with one of the Audio Technica demo set priced around 15k USD (laptop, SA-10 as usb dac, re leaf E3 hybrid amplifier, L5000 special edition headphone) in term of Vocal and pops.

It is not as good in term of classical pieces as the above set. (But it may be the issue of Sony's own z1r headphone not on par with the Audio technical L5000 which is priced at 4k USD)

 

[addyg]

The dmp-z1 operates and feel like a real desktop hi-fi equipment as you turn the silky analog volume (this piece of Volume also equipped in some Luxman pre-amps).

It sounds more like the sp1000 but with analog tone. So it has a bit of Sony's warm sound texture due to software.

 

[Whitigir]

My 5 cents:

There is no DAP can challenge the dmp-z1 in term of sound quality, sound stage, hi-fi quality.

It is on par with one of the Audio Technica demo set priced around 15k USD (laptop, SA-10 as usb dac, re leaf E3 hybrid amplifier, L5000 special edition headphone) in term of Vocal and pops.

It is not as good in term of classical pieces as the above set. (But it may be the issue of Sony's own z1r headphone not on par with the Audio technical L5000 which is priced at 4k USD)

Of course, what about Chord TT2 though, probably obliterate the Z1

 

[addyg]

It sounds much cleaner and dark in background the the Sony's wm1z.

With the same headphone (z1r) when comparing to Sony's own desktop amplifier it also sound more 3D with more density.

 

[addyg]

The only thing it is not very good at is classical music. So it may need to be reviewed more with better headphones (whose better at classical music)

 

[addyg]

Of course, what about Chord TT2 though, probably obliterate the Z1

I have no experience with TT2, but a few experience with Hugo2. But as it already come on par with some very good dac/amp like the SA-10, HA5050AH, I think it should be on par or better than TT2.

 

[addyg]

I studied a bit about its internal amplifier board.

The special thing that got me is that it has eight +/- power wires supplying the left and right channel.

That is bi-amp in speakers guy wording. Meaning each channel (e.g. left) is driven by two amplifiers. So this thing has four amplifiers all with their own power supply.

 

[Whitigir]

I studied a bit about its internal amplifier board.

The special thing that got me is that it has eight +/- power wires supplying the left and right channel.

That is bi-amp in speakers guy wording. Meaning each channel (e.g. left) is driven by two amplifiers. So this thing has four amplifiers all with their own power supply.

Huh ? I am confused as what you are trying to say here.

Anyways, Chord TT2 is another class from Hugo 2. But personal preferences win though. If you buy the Z1 as soon as it comes out, I can’t wait to hear impressions

 

[addyg]

The DAC board is believed to output analog signals and the amplifier board is totally analog amplifiers.

So it actually is two machines in one housing.

 

[addyg]

Some details about the amplifier board. Look special at how many black/red wires from the two batteries (I believe there are four batteries actually)

 

[addyg]

How big are the batteries comparing to a large size dap (my dp-x1 is sample size as the sp1000)？ you may take a look at the below photo.

 

[addyg]

There is no figure about the mah size of amplifier batteries. But I think it is 5-8 times of my 1860mah.

The power output (balanced) is at 10 times of my dp-x1. Given playing time is about the same 10 hours.

 

[addyg]

Because it is a pure analog amplifier board, the short fall must be the resistance type Volume controller.

If you see most desktop preamp has big volume knob (some with large number of resistors). That won't even fit into such tiny case (tiny in term of desktop amplifier).

So a large part of the space actually is given to the volume controller (ALPS RK501).

 

[addyg]

If you look at the photo #295, you will probably see what I mean. It is actually quite jammed inside such a casing to fit in 1) resistance type volume controller, 2) analog amplifier board, 3) two big batteries.

 

[Whitigir]

There are no bi-amping in there, and those Fine Gold Nichicon isn’t even the best of Nichicon. Yeah, everyone love that RK50, and so do I. But it is a waste to put in such device, where the amplification stage is using TPA