purk
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2001
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The ZX1 doesn't do native DSD though - it does DSD to PCM. I haven't found any sources to confirm that the ZX2 does native DSD, and even more strangely the device doesn't show up in Japan yet but rather it got announced for the Chinese market first.
Either way the pricing makes complete sense to me when compared to the Astell & Kern line up, considering that the ZX1 is now squarely in the same price range as the AK100II, and as I said before, the ZX2 looks to be competing against the AK120II, and Sony is presumably aiming to do this by touting native DSD support which the AK120II doesn't do unless buyers are willing to go all the way to the AK240 which is double the price of both the AK120II and ZX2. When positioned like this and trying to sell the device based on this feature, the ZX2 makes a lot of sense.
I found it that info from a blog some where but I doubt that it will support DSD natively given that the ZX1 doesn't. Pricing is fine but IMO it is rather high comparing to the ZX1. I have the PHA-3 so it should already be at the top of Sony's audio lineup in term of sound quality. I don't mind sacrificing a little sound quality and less storage space and save $500. To be frank, the real upgrade b/w the ZX1 and 2 is a much better battery life on the ZX2. I sure hope the ZX2 is able to match the sound quality of the AK240 as well (or close to it)