[Replicant187]

Sony Store in Japan has demo unit but that place is too noisy for auditioning.

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

  there's a lot of pages to read through so just going to ask...is this DAP recommended for JPOP / Techno / Trance / Amibient / Bossanova?
 
Also, should I get the HPA1 with this if I will mainly using it with Fostex TH-900 or AKG-7xx, Shure 440, 550 and T1 (well this one of course....)?

 
The ZX2 will do very well with those genres with iems. But for those full size cans, the ZX2 won't do them full justice, and will need an amp due to its low output power. So up to you if you want to go with ZX2 + PHA-1A, or just get another dap with higher output power in the first place. DX90 or X5 are stellar performers and are a big step up in output power over ZX2, and the HM901 is another big step up from DX90/X5 in output power.
 
Personally I think the main benefit of ZX2 is probably in its sound quality driving iems, if you are going to get a PHA-1A etc, it might be better to just pair it with a NWZ-A17 and save a bunch.

 

[purk]

   
The ZX2 will do very well with those genres with iems. But for those full size cans, the ZX2 won't do them full justice, and will need an amp due to its low output power. So up to you if you want to go with ZX2 + PHA-1A, or just get another dap with higher output power in the first place. DX90 or X5 are stellar performers and are a big step up in output power over ZX2, and the HM901 is another big step up from DX90/X5 in output power.
 
Personally I think the main benefit of ZX2 is probably in its sound quality driving iems, if you are going to get a PHA-1A etc, it might be better to just pair it with a NWZ-A17 and save a bunch.

The ZX2 should sound better than the PHA-1A with IEMs in order to justify its $1200 pricetag IMO.  What's the point of buying a $1200 DAP only to have a $400 (?) portable amp/dap unit surpassing it when driving an easy to drive loads such as IEMs.

 

[Cecala]

Moist, thickness, Heavy staining, orgasm, thrust.....

This review says it all.

Are you sure you weren't watching a porno at the time, I mean look at the words.......

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

  The ZX2 should sound better than the PHA-1A with IEMs in order to justify its $1200 pricetag IMO.  What's the point of buying a $1200 DAP only to have a $400 (?) portable amp/dap unit surpassing it when driving an easy to drive loads such as IEMs.

 
Yea assuredly the ZX2 will sound a hell of a lot better than the PHA-1A for iems. Sony's DAC/AMPs don't seem completely suited to iems anyway, as they all have output impedance of 10 ohm single ended, and PHA3 is 20 ohm when balanced, which isn't ideal for iems, but not such an issue with full size cans. Even output impedance aside, the sound coming from the ZX2 with iems would have more finesse etc, than with an amp.
 
I was saying that If he wanted to only use [size=12.7272720336914px]full size headphones and thus [/size]buy an amp, then its probably not a bad idea to stick with a A17 or F887 as a source, as a ZX2 could possibly be overkill for use just as a source. Then again there are people that use their 2.5K AK240 just as a source for their 2.5K Hugo! So whatever floats your boat lol.

 

[musicdragoon]

From the chinese review link, what he described is in line with the sound signature of PHA 3, with warmth, good live like sound signature, seems this is their whole 14-15 high end hi res product tuning direction

 

[forper]

If I get this on my Tokyo trip I'd want to do new IEMs at the same time while keeping it all Sony.

Can anyone comment on what EX1000s or the XBA-Z5s might be like with the ZX2? 
 
I noticed XBA-Z5 has "Hi Res"  certification by Sony (meaningless?)  and a higher price but the EX1000s have a strong reputation.

Given the choice of these two IEMs only which would you go for with the ZX2?

 

[kms108]

  If I get this on my Tokyo trip I'd want to do new IEMs at the same time while keeping it all Sony.

Can anyone comment on what EX1000s or the XBA-Z5s might be like with the ZX2? 
 
I noticed XBA-Z5 has "Hi Res" (meaningless?) certification by Sony and a higher price but the EX1000s have a strong reputation.

Given the choice of these two IEMs only which would you go for with the ZX2?

I also want to know, but I have XBA 3, EX600 and EX800ST.

 

[forper]

I have had a pair of EX700s for 5 years,  I love em to death but they look a big bashed and scratched up now. They still sound awesome though tbh
 
Does your XBA pair have "extra bass"? ie is it actually bassier than your other pairs? My EX700s are pretty neutral, do all kinds of music very well which suits me coz I listen to a lot of different styles.

 

[kms108]

  I have had a pair of EX700s for 5 years,  I love em to death but they look a big bashed and scratched up now. They still sound awesome though tbh
 
Does your XBA pair have "extra bass"? ie is it actually bassier than your other pairs? My EX700s are pretty neutral, do all kinds of music very well which suits me coz I listen to a lot of different styles.

Actually my XBA produces bass which is not to strong, if you want bass, consider the XBA 4 or 40, they have 4 BA drives and is considered strong on the bass, if you live in japan, the XBA 4 or 40 can be bought for about 10000 yen or approximate USD 85.
 
As for my ex600 and ex800, they do have a weak bass, but I swapped the cables, using the ex1000 cable, the EX600 and EX800 will increase the bass a lot.

 

[forper]

hmmm thx for your reply kmx. I don't want emphasised bass, I like the the sound of the ex700s a lot. But I'd like to try something new with zx2. Hmm maybe ex800st? Reading around said to be superior to ex700s

 

[Cecala]

So  [color=#000000]T.R.A.N.C.E[/color] are going to be the first and jump into the deep when this new Sony is released shortly or will you read some reviews before hand?

 

[Anthony1]

Just cancelled my order of the ZX1 what with the ZX2 announced and now kinda thinking I wished I went with the order. $550AU on special for Xmas. Other than capacity and design the specs appear to be similar. Dang!

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

^ I'm buying a ZX2 as soon as its available on Sony AU website.

 

[Duncan]

Ex700, hmm, the Ex800 will be like a shot of adrenalin, XBA3/30 might be a more suitable upgrade path though if you like the EX700 that much...