[kaushama]

I will try it with the few amps I have. Those being Just audio UHA 120, JDS Labs c5D and iFi iCan. I have iFi iDSD on the way as well.
I need to sell my F887 now. Suddenly I cant access the sales forum. )-:

 

[cjpinner]

Lol...don't even try to compare this ZX2 to either IPod or Fiio.....even that porno....it will be a disgrace,
and unhonorable thing to do toward the ZX2..... You can compare A17 as it is also Sony, but even that doesn't compare.....unless you are seeing $100.20 is the same as $100.00....even in real life, if you are short of .20 cents, you don't have enough.

Now, for that said.....the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder....so it is up to yourself to judge. I hear people saying this ZX2 quality is on par with AK240 if not better.....which is twice as much.

Remember one rule. This is a High-resolution DAP....so if you are going to use MP3 on it....I recommend IPod, A17....Fiio ...etc...they are just fine. Don't feel bad, because ripping high-res is not a common thing, and HR tracks are not widely available yet.

Myself, I love everything about the ZX2....speaking from music enthusiasm for more than 17 years....


Btw, if you want tutorial on how to rip HR tracks from bluray, I had an article on that.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/756822/how-to-rip-dvd-blu-ray-into-high-resolution-tracks-in-different-formats

I bought the Z2 because I've been experimenting with high res on my main Hi Fi rig (substantial investment, down to the last tube). I've always preferred the natural sound quality of vinyl. CD/FLAC/ALAC even when paired with a good DAC was always just barely acceptable to me, the high res tracks have been changing my attitude towards digital. It's subtle but it's there, I'd say it's the full natural sound of vinyl without the noise. If I can have 80-90% of that in a portable player I'll be more than happy.

 

[starfly]

I bought the Z2 because I've been experimenting with high res on my main Hi Fi rig (substantial investment, down to the last tube). I've always preferred the natural sound quality of vinyl. CD/FLAC/ALAC even when paired with a good DAC was always just barely acceptable to me, the high res tracks have been changing my attitude towards digital. It's subtle but it's there, I'd say it's the full natural sound of vinyl without the noise. If I can have 80-90% of that in a portable player I'll be more than happy.

So do you think that's because of the fact that vinyl is usually mastered differently vs. regular CDs which tends to be compressed? Because I think that hi res mostly sounds different because it's from a different mastering source vs CDs.

 

[feverfive]

Are there any ZX2 owners yet who use lineout to an external amp (not DAC)?  I'm really curious about battery life...but it might be moot for me as it seems lineout performance isn't very good (low level, apparently).

 

[cjpinner]

So do you think that's because of the fact that vinyl is usually mastered differently vs. regular CDs which tends to be compressed? Because I think that hi res mostly sounds different because it's from a different mastering source vs CDs.

I think that's the mystery I'm trying to figure out. I'm sure mastering is a part of it, I know that vinyl is usually mastered differently than digital, you have to because of vinyls limitations. What I've noticed most about the high res tracks is that I can listen to them for longer periods of time, 16/44.1 tracks tend to sound fine for the first hour or so, then after that I can feel my ears "rejecting" the sound. This is all speculative on my part, but it's what I've been experiencing. I'm just not experiencing the same longing for the vinyl version when I play the Hi Res track, I find myself preferring it.

 

[Whitigir]

I bought the Z2 because I've been experimenting with high res on my main Hi Fi rig (substantial investment, down to the last tube). I've always preferred the natural sound quality of vinyl. CD/FLAC/ALAC even when paired with a good DAC was always just barely acceptable to me, the high res tracks have been changing my attitude towards digital. It's subtle but it's there, I'd say it's the full natural sound of vinyl without the noise. If I can have 80-90% of that in a portable player I'll be more than happy.

Then, the more to buy ZX2, you will not regret it.....and I know where you are comming from....I actually think the portable is kind of unfair to loud systems.....I think you can get similar quality for 1/10 of the price ...and portable

Also being a top dog in SQ, the price is cheap when you compare it to other top dogs....

 

[djricekcn]

I think that's the mystery I'm trying to figure out. I'm sure mastering is a part of it, I know that vinyl is usually mastered differently than digital, you have to because of vinyls limitations. What I've noticed most about the high res tracks is that I can listen to them for longer periods of time, 16/44.1 tracks tend to sound fine for the first hour or so, then after that I can feel my ears "rejecting" the sound. This is all speculative on my part, but it's what I've been experiencing. I'm just not experiencing the same longing for the vinyl version when I play the Hi Res track, I find myself preferring it.

tthis is true for me too, where the listening becomes a bit tiring with normal flac versus hi-res...i also find hi-res, generally, have a lower master volume (direct cd is louder basically)...which i think plays part of fatigueness and also how sometimes i think it sounds more clear;/character  on certain parts 

 

[harmonix]

So do you think that's because of the fact that vinyl is usually mastered differently vs. regular CDs which tends to be compressed? Because I think that hi res mostly sounds different because it's from a different mastering source vs CDs.

I hate to break it to you but most of rock/pop are compressed at the studio recording stage already; this is the norm rather than the exception. Don't really agree with this style but from a purely commercial standpoint you can't knock it - big studio albums sell!! Paradoxically these type of recordings probably sound better on inferior playback equipment - dynamic range flattened, EQ to death with levels pumped up.  Long story short - we spend so much time examining gear to death when we should be looking at the quality of the recording itself. However - with crappy gear "your lens is only as clear as the quality of the glass" if that makes any sense.

 

[cjpinner]

Absolutely. I agree, Hi Res files of foo fighters (as an example) probably aren't necessary just for that reason. Duke Ellington or some other well recorded artist benefit the most from the hi res treatment. I do the purchasing at a record store so I've heard all types of recording practices good and bad. There's so much variability between recordings/pressings it's astonishing. That's part of the appeal to vinyl though, finding that brilliant 1st pressing that's been engineered properly. I think that's where hi res can be valuable, taking those brilliant recordings and giving them to you in studio quality without the noise of analog setups.

 

[harmonix]

Absolutely. I agree, Hi Res files of foo fighters (as an example) probably aren't necessary just for that reason. Duke Ellington or some other well recorded artist benefit the most from the hi res treatment. I do the purchasing at a record store so I've heard all types of recording practices good and bad. There's so much variability between recordings/pressings it's astonishing. That's part of the appeal to vinyl though, finding that brilliant 1st pressing that's been engineered properly. I think that's where hi res can be valuable, taking those brilliant recordings and giving them to you in studio quality without the noise of analog setups.

I would agree there are some great recordings from way back. On the other hand I think they are great because of the musicians probably more than the quality of the recordings (in general). On the other hand some of the recordings in recent years from small shops are truly amazing... I guess we won't recognize these to be classics until a decade or two from now. Most of these tend to be European, Japanese studios a couple in the US but mostly unheard by the general public.... For Lps I like particularly Stockfisch records from Germany ( Sarah K waterfalls for example)

 

[cjpinner]

I would agree there are some great recordings from way back. On the other hand I think they are great because of the musicians probably more than the quality of the recordings (in general). On the other hand some of the recordings in recent years from small shops are truly amazing... I guess we won't recognize these to be classics until a decade or two from now. Most of these tend to be European, Japanese studios a couple in the US but mostly unheard by the general public.... For Lps I like particularly Stockfisch records from Germany ( Sarah K waterfalls for example)

I don't want to take the thread off topic, I'm just excited to reproduce the good experiences I'm having with digital media in a portable format. I think Hi Res downloads have a bright future and if the ZX 2 I ordered can help 16/44.1 sound great, all the better. I'll be sure to post my experiences with it as well, I know this thread was helpful to me.

 

[audioxxx]

After much thought, and consideration about this Gas problem (gear acquisition syndrome) I've contracted,

I thought I'd ring the Sony shop, big mistake the guy tells me there's only one left for order, (whether he is a good salesman and there's a big pile behind him, I don't know) so like a fish on a hook, I'm reserving this thing.
(a friendly warning to others don't read these forums it is a trap,
get out while you still can)

 

[Cecala]

^ Selling better than expected ? Oh I fully believe that.....I owned walkman since 15-17 years ago.....until IPod and it horrible MP3 sound quality.....I gave up, and blend in with online streaming instead......I lost all hopes into online, and digital files onto my computer.....I pursued Creative sounding experience for gaming....etc.....and put my music enthusiasm toward Hi-fi home stereo instead as it always sound better with DVD, Blurays, CDs...

Until now that Sony brought back the Walkman with a worthy sound quality.....I am back into the game

. So then I totally believe how well Sony can move the Zx2.

I also agreed with you can only live once, and who know what may happen tomorrow ? If you think ZX2 is expensive, there are plenty more things that are as expensive...or even more expensive......such as

A sport car performance tires and wheels...they run 300-400$ each tires, and BBS wheels cost $1000-1500 a piece.........now those aren't cheap....and these will get driven on the roads, so you can imagine the damages....also people do get it stolen just by parking there....

Any LV purses....or stuff of short that my wife have.....designer shoes....etc....

Onto gears for activities....such as snow boarding...etc...etc....nothing of quality is cheap ! Nothing. So pick your poison

Hell....I just had a friend and his wife came for dinner....my wife mocked me about my ZX2.... My friend asked me why I was using JVC FX750 instead of a Bose ? I almost choked myself ......and he went onto criticize of how close his Galaxy Note 3 can get in sound quality

....but I am never the guy to debate and or fight with people who has no understanding of what they are debating about....I just laughed it off. What matter is how I perceived my hobby and decision.....hell....A17 can sound pretty good as $100 bill, and ZX2 may sound with 20 cents more for a total of $100.20, and to me, it is still worth it. Over 200 sound tracks I have in the ZX2.... Non of the, are 320 MP3 of short....the minimum is quality FLAC 16/44.1

You know why I take ZX2 this worthy ? It is basically my Home Stereo on the go....which includes (tv, digital player of Dvd and bluray quality, pre-amp receiver, equalizer, amplifier) all on the go! With battery to last for a day !

Why did you not allow your friend to have a listen and experience all the wonder of your setup?

 

[harmonix]

After trying several memory cards I finally settled on the Sandisk extreme pro. Alongside I have tried Kingston and the Toshiba Exceria as well. To me the Sandisk extreme pro seems to give me the largest soundstage compared to the rest. Mind you we are starting to count the Angels on a hairpin at this point (ie Toshiba vs Sandisk).

The ZX2 is now pretty much settled in at this point. Wanted to report back that there slight hiss on the zx2 which while most of it subsides after a few seconds will not completely go away. It is however completely inaudible when music plays. This is heard with the shure SE846 & moon silver dragon cables so your mileage might vary.

It's not a big deal to me but thought people should know this (similar to the Hugo hiss but slightly less).

 

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

After trying several memory cards I finally settled on the Sandisk extreme pro. Alongside I have tried Kingston and the Toshiba Exceria as well. To me the Sandisk extreme pro seems to give me the largest soundstage compared to the rest. Mind you we are starting to count the Angels on a hairpin at this point (ie Toshiba vs Sandisk).

 
Nice, the sandisk pro have a neutral sound, the toshiba has more body which lessens sound stage, but the sandisk is leaner with bigger sound stage.
 
Between two good sounding sd cards it just comes down to preference, but some sd cards just flat out don't sound as good as others.
 
Good to know you can hear a difference, its small, but its there, and once you hear it you can't un-hear it, its a curse. You won't be able to tolerate inferior sd cards now 

 (ok not really, only if you are OCD like me lol)