[dan_can]

@HiFiGuy528 How is the DAC section of TA-ZH1ES compared to HAP-Z1ES?

 

[hugopua]

  @HiFiGuy528 How is the DAC section of TA-ZH1ES compared to HAP-Z1ES?

The DAC section compare between TA-ZH1ES and HAP-Z1ES is TA-ZH1ES better than HAP-Z1ES. FYI, HAP-Z1ES doens't support USB audio output support last time but Sony launched new firmware to add this function after TA-ZH1ES launched. This means Sony very confident to their signature TA-ZH1ES.

 

[dan_can]

@hugopua Thanks for the info. I was not concerned about the capability of digital output. In that regard, they should be same, I guess.

 

[SmileClick]

Sometime ago, I was evaluating 2 products mainly Chord Hugo 2 or Sony TA-ZH1ES to purchase basing on SQ and value for money for their Pcba design and components. Since Hugo 2 is not available on the market, and Hugo is used in comparison . The prices on both Hugo 2 and Sony TA ZH1ES is almost close to each other. Guess which products is value for money?

 

[buzzlulu]

Sometime ago, I was evaluating 2 products mainly Chord Hugo 2 or Sony TA-ZH1ES to purchase basing on SQ and value for money for their Pcba design and components. Since Hugo 2 is not available on the market, and Hugo is used in comparison . The prices on both Hugo 2 and Sony TA ZH1ES is almost close to each other. Guess which products is value for money?

Which?

 

[Whitigir]

I guess it is SoNy TA that has most value

 

[Leviticus]

I've realised that, when one only possesses mid-tier headphones such as the Sennheiser Momentum (2nd generation), buying the TA is not worth it. Why am I saying this? Because my Fostex TH900 are currently being repaired by Fostex themselves and I have only the Momentum at my disposal, which usually are my go-to cans when I need portability.

 
There really is no big difference between the ZX2 alone and the ZX2+TA. Yet, when using TOTL headphones, the difference is quite astonishing, especially when using the balanced out.
 
I need my headphones back....!

 

[buzzlulu]

Still waiting for original poster to reply

And- does the best value one also give the best performance???

 

[TSAVJason]

The DAC section compare between TA-ZH1ES and HAP-Z1ES is TA-ZH1ES better than HAP-Z1ES. FYI, HAP-Z1ES doens't support USB audio output support last time but Sony launched new firmware to add this function after TA-ZH1ES launched. This means Sony very confident to their signature TA-ZH1ES.

You should check your software. There should be no problem playing through via USB now

 

[SmileClick]

Sony TA ZH1ES have many custom IC and Looking at the complexity of their design... It is worth more than the current market prices.

 

[Whitigir]

Sony TA ZH1ES have many custom IC and Looking at the complexity of their design... It is worth more than the current market prices.

Yupe! I knew it by the performances . Thanks for the confirmation

 

[buzzlulu]

Ok - here is a question for TA owners
I think it is pretty much acknowledged that the SE output is not as powerful or as good as the Balanced output.

I have yet to purchase balanced cables for my Utopia however I do want to test out the TA. I will need to test using its SE output. The device I currently use is a Mojo - obviously also run SE.

I hope that I will be able to see the TA able to show its superiority over the Mojo - even in SE mode??? I am going to hope that it is easily BETTER than the Mojo??

One last question - I am going to assume the Balanced out on the TA is of the same quality level from both the XLR and Sony 4.4mm ports???

 

[WNBC]

I've been using the Z1R with a single-ended Sony Kimber cable.  It's an excellent match.  I would buy the TA even if it were only SE and it probably would be less expensive.  I've been using my HD800S with a balanced cable.  Another excellent pairing.  I'm sure others here can speak to Utopia pairing and synergy.  I don't necessarily believe balanced is better for every amp and headphone, but that's a whole other debate in itself.  I think you'll be happy with the TA in either balanced or single-ended mode.  It's top-notch.  
 
I have not owned the Mojo in a while so I would be relying solely on memory and I don't necessarily want to do that.  All I can say is that I don't feel the TZ is relatively overpriced for what it does.  Many will argue it is underpriced in comparison to other products even within the Sony lineup.  I do currently have the iDSD BL which is in same price range as Mojo.  Though different in some sonic qualities, I do feel the Mojo and iDSD are equal competitors.  I can easily tell that the TA is a higher end DAC and amp for many qualities already discussed in this thread.  So, better?  Yes.  Worth the price of admission?  I think so, but only you can determine that and you never know, the Mojo + Utopia could have some special magic.  If you can hear the TA + Utopia first then that is of course the best option.    
 
  
 
 
Quote:

Ok - here is a question for TA owners
I think it is pretty much acknowledged that the SE output is not as powerful or as good as the Balanced output.

I have yet to purchase balanced cables for my Utopia however I do want to test out the TA. I will need to test using its SE output. The device I currently use is a Mojo - obviously also run SE.

I hope that I will be able to see the TA able to show its superiority over the Mojo - even in SE mode??? I am going to hope that it is easily BETTER than the Mojo??

One last question - I am going to assume the Balanced out on the TA is of the same quality level from both the XLR and Sony 4.4mm ports???

 

[Whitigir]

TA single-ended out is not bad, not as in a sense of their Walkman from SE to Balanced. As much as I observed, the balanced has more power while SE is not, in the mean while SE still offer pretty good quality and performances. I had yet to critically compare, but only doing it leisurely here and there.

So...in a senses....TA is ways better than Mojo...

Can we stop comparing a portable device that fit in your hand to a desktop device that can hardly fit in a big backpack ?....

 

[buzzlulu]

The only reason for comparison is that the Mojo is acknowledged to be a giant killer - and it is the only device I currently have here at the moment!

It is understandable that whatever desktop source I choose I would want it to be better than what I currently have.

The reality is that I will ultimately have a desktop solution and a portable solution. The TA looks like that something to try for desktop. The Mojo will remain for portable duties - or will be replaced with a Hugo2.

What are people feeding the TA with - aside from a portable i.e. WM1A/Z? I am going to assume a computer - anyone using a Mac Mini? I have been away so long from these forums that I don't know how a MacMini rates these days. If I were to go that route the Mini would be a new purchase. Conversely I have a MacBook Air sitting around unused.

I assume USB out directly to the Mini or Air?