Lol guys chill out. I don't know why people keep shouting louder and louder and argue when its not gonna change another person's opinion on the matter. It becomes a pissing contest. I mean if one person thinks 1a and 1z sound the same.....more power to them. They don't have to spend another 2k. If someone really hears something different that's fine too. What I know is you will never convince the other that your preference is right over them, no matter how much you berate them.
People don't realize why they are on this forum. Its to help you and others enjoy music. Not to get a feeling of self importance that your opinion is respected. If you don't like it, just move on and find something you like! That's why there are so many audio products and choices! Also make friends with people that have similar tastes they like.
As for the 1a/1z, Yes they do sound different, but not to the point where I would say its night and day. Its like putting a gumby vs yggy. Most people fail the blind test, and many choose the gumby for its slightly more warmer signature. I'm not saying that you will fail the blind test in the 1a/1z, but the difference is a subtle one. Now is that subtleness worth 2k more? If its the difference between feeling emotionally involved to listening analytically....Yes I recommend it...if price is not an issue. I wonder if they came up with some wonder black metal and marked the price of the 1a above the 1z, and pushed all their gushing about the materials and cables and such.....if most people would choose the 1Z over it.
You just have to know what works for you and filter out the lot of opinions that don't work for you on head-fi...its just due to having so many people.
I think people have to realize its not about having all the most expensive components, but its synergy. Just because you buy all the most expensive clothes for each part, doesn't mean when you wear them all together.....its gonna end in a pretty picture. Just like you mix and match clothes, some work better with others. There is no real better but more of knowing your own style and how to carry yourself. That said, sometimes one's taste may be bad. Just filter it out if you don't agree.
That said......for me I can't take people who like the QP1R seriously. The UI is really hot garbage. Never seen anything at that price point with such a crap UI, that fiddly stupid wheel, and to be honest it doesn't look that great in person either. The sound is mediocre at best. Alot of people said the andromedas + QP1R were a good match.....No it is a terrible match....high noise floor, thin sound, extremely sterile. I think people think of seperation, fast decay leads to better clarity, and better technicalities, but this is not true. On the QP1R, there is a huge weakness in microdynamics. Its very easy to hear when you hear drum hits and cymbal hits on any track. Or any orchestral piece...just sounds sterile...it has macro detail, but no microdetail. To put it ahead of something from Sony that has immense microdetail, but smaller soundstage.......would not call it close. It depends what you value. I tend to like the microdetail and nuances, so I like products that have the capability to do it. If someone can't hear that, I have no interest in chasing them calling them a half-dead cretin. Or a Chord fan boy Lol....isn't even worth spending the energy to argue.
Most people can't hear anything. Even if they are musicians, because tbh there are a lot of bad musicians in the world. But I realize that I'm not gonna convince them to change so, there is no point getting worked up. just form your opinion and buy the gear right for you.
This is why I don't post on head-fi or care for audio so much. I just take a listen for myself, and decide what I like and am willing to purchase. BTW Hugo 2.....overrated/overpriced....but that's just my opinion.
Don't take things so seriously Lol.