[nc8000]

I think it ultimately depends on whether you like the difference in tonality between the DMP and the TAZ and your use cases.

I would probably have needed a longer audition and with music I’m familiar with to make a fair comparison. My use case is exclusively bed side rig for home listening

 

[gLer]

Quick question: how do you connect the Chromecast Audio device to the TAZ?

Via optical. It supports the full 24/96 bandwidth of Taz's optical input. You just need to buy a separate optical cable with a 3.5mm optical adapter on the one end. And because it uses Wi-Fi, there's no lossy compression on the digital transfer from source (Tidal, Plex, UAPP etc.) to the Taz.

 

[Kiats]

Via optical. It supports the full 24/96 bandwidth of Taz's optical input. You just need to buy a separate optical cable with a 3.5mm optical adapter on the one end. And because it uses Wi-Fi, there's no lossy compression on the digital transfer from source (Tidal, Plex, UAPP etc.) to the Taz.

Ah OK. Thanks! Yes, you have mentioned optical before. But I just saw a 3.5mm output. Forgetting that the AK DAPs use the same connector for optical out. Thanks!

 

[VancityDreaming]

Any special cables being used? Power or usb wise

Nope. Everything stock, connected the walkman with the stock wmport to micro usb cable that came with the TA. It charges my wm1a while connected which is perfect.

Then TA with IER-Z1R with the stock balanced cable. I don't have the trained ears to justify the additional costs of expensive cables unfortunately.

Mountains by Hans Zimmer is phenomenal. Got me smiling like an idiot when the crescendo hits.

 

[nc8000]

Ah OK. Thanks! Yes, you have mentioned optical before. But I just saw a 3.5mm output. Forgetting that the AK DAPs use the same connector for optical out. Thanks!

Sony also used 3.5 optical on many of their cd Walkmen (I used it for travel rig with the first iBasso portable dac/amp) and my old Acer AspirOne 11” netbook (that I used as source with foobar before getting the Auralic) also had 3.5 optical out

 

[Redcarmoose]

Just got my TA. Using wm1a as a transport, defs sounds better than tidal master streamed off my phone.

I think I've reached my end game with IER-Z1R and TA-ZH1ES. Stayed up until 2am listening to music. Too addicting to stop.

Congratulations!

 

[Gamerlingual]

Just got my TA. Using wm1a as a transport, defs sounds better than tidal master streamed off my phone.

I think I've reached my end game with IER-Z1R and TA-ZH1ES. Stayed up until 2am listening to music. Too addicting to stop.

Here I thought the DMP-Z1 was end game. But I just can’t get impressed with the sound since the TA and WM1Z have been wonderful marvels. Not taking anything away from the DMP, but I need to realize myself that what I have now is enough. Digging down that rabbit hole is deadly

 

[VancityDreaming]

Here I thought the DMP-Z1 was end game. But I just can’t get impressed with the sound since the TA and WM1Z have been wonderful marvels. Not taking anything away from the DMP, but I need to realize myself that what I have now is enough. Digging down that rabbit hole is deadly

Definitely a rabbit hole, but thats what we all seem to love here haha. I got hd600, ier-z1r, TA, and WM1A. Can comfortably walk away now. If i was to buy anything else. It would probably be Sony's next flagship headphones or focal utopias.

 

[Vamp898]

Definitely a rabbit hole, but thats what we all seem to love here haha. I got hd600, ier-z1r, TA, and WM1A. Can comfortably walk away now. If i was to buy anything else. It would probably be Sony's next flagship headphones or focal utopias.

Seeing how aggresively Sony advertised the MDR-Z1R with the new Walkman, i don't expect a new flagship soon.

 

[Gamerlingual]

Definitely a rabbit hole, but thats what we all seem to love here haha. I got hd600, ier-z1r, TA, and WM1A. Can comfortably walk away now. If i was to buy anything else. It would probably be Sony's next flagship headphones or focal utopias.

The Utopia are good. But the MDR-Z1R are better. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

 

[Kiats]

All the talk about the Utopia vs the MDR sort of reminded me that I should give the MDR a run out with the TAZ. I only had a cursory listen previously.

 

[VancityDreaming]

All the talk about the Utopia vs the MDR sort of reminded me that I should give the MDR a run out with the TAZ. I only had a cursory listen previously.

Would love to know your thoughts.

 

[gLer]

All the talk about the Utopia vs the MDR sort of reminded me that I should give the MDR a run out with the TAZ. I only had a cursory listen previously.

I've just done that exact matchup this past weekend. Will await your thoughts and follow with mine.

 

[Kiats]

My initial thoughts listening to Roon streaming via the Melco N10P into the TAZ: the MDR actually has great synergy with the TAZ. I initially thought that the warmth of the TAZ X the warmth of the MDR would mean that it would be sticky thick. Actually, I am finding myself enjoying The Look of Love, Burt Bacharach Songbook, by Trijntje Oosterhuis. One of my all time favourites. Although the sub bass of the MDR is ever present, I don’t think it overwhelms the vocals, the strings, the percussion or the wind instruments.

Whilst I will say that the Utopia is unsurprisingly more transparent, and therefore seems more dynamic whilst giving the TAZ full play of its fuller and more musical character, I cannot say that I would give up the MDR. Especially now that in South East Asia, stock of the MDR is starting to be really difficult to come by.

I will just say that I am a lucky boy…

 

[Kiats]

This is what I am listening to. But on Roon. Gorgeous music!