[Sp12er3]

Thanks for the info Kingy. I have a 9.2.8 immersive audio setup that does full blown atmos and I REALLY like Sony 360 Reality audio. I play the files through the TA-ZH1ES by either connecting my DAP to the RCA in ports with a 3.5 mm to RCA cable OR by connecting my Zidoo android box via USB. That immersive format by Sony sounds great on headphones, on two speakers, or upmixed to 9.2.8. The new Sony headphones are made for the 360 format so if you haven't checked it out yet you can get it via Tidal or Amazon Music. There are even some Sony 360 tracks on youtube.

I've posted this on MV1 thread but I did give subscribing to Tidal Max for a month a try as I happen to have Sony MV1 and NS7, both their product that advertises compatibility with 360RA music in 2 completely different way, come at the same time. It's an interesting experience for sure. Not always better, different.

The MV 1 is made as a platform for their tuning software I think? They do that thing smyth realiser does so you can bring your studio sound literally everywhere, but only after it got calibrated. You can find a review of the MV1 in Youtube from a guy who does Atmos Mixing.

 

[auxabattoirs]

Just wanted to check something. The Tidal android app allows bit perfect playback via USB dac mode. It doesn't seem to work with the TA-ZH1ES. Tidal recognises the dac but there's no sound. Just says no stream on the dac. Is this a known problem?

 

[kota1]

Just wanted to check something. The Tidal android app allows bit perfect playback via USB dac mode. It doesn't seem to work with the TA-ZH1ES. Tidal recognises the dac but there's no sound. Just says no stream on the dac. Is this a known problem?

I noticed that 360RA files do NOT play through the TA-ZH1ES via digital in.

 

[Lookout57]

I noticed that 360RA files do NOT play through the TA-ZH1ES via digital in.

That makes sense since that format is new and the TAZ hasn't been updated in a while.

 

[carb0mb]

I am looking for a TA-ZH1ES to purchase second hand. Not many available in the US but there are a few available from Japan on eBay. Is there anything I should be concerned about with purchasing one from Japan? Like the power cable or menu, etc.

 

[kefs]

First time connecting walkman via usb. BOOM! The best this setup has sounded.The digital filters via TAZ are more pronounced but I prefer it all off still.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

You are winning with that setup.

What mods do you have on that Z1R? I see an interesting headband.

 

[kefs]

Yea, a leather suspension strap with adjustable cords, I found they were so loose I couldn't even move my head without them moving, and I haven't got a small noggin at all. Also my hair doesn't touch the actual headband using this. I also changed the stock pads as my right ear was touching the inside. These are much thicker so keep my ears further back which I think improves SQ, I Also use those on my Z7.

You are winning with that setup.

What mods do you have on that Z1R? I see an interesting headband.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

I think something went wrong with that quoting. I never said anything like that.

 

[kefs]

My bad I'm afraid, I replied in a rush.apologies

 

[carb0mb]

Yesterday was a good mail day!

 

[Vintageaudioholic]

I bought my Taz approximately one year ago, I still remember the initial disappointment I had listening to the unit; In my opinion, it was worse than the Astell & Kern SE200 I had. To put it very simply, it was identical to the SE200 minus the fidelity. There was some saving grace though, if that was how it sounded when it was stock, it had reasonable potential after modifications. Besides, I've always liked a "vintage valve amplifier" sound (Warm?!), this is a great opportunity to personalise the Taz to my liking, here's what I did...
1. swapped 2 sets of resistors on the audio path to Allen Bradley carbon composite resistors
2. Replaced most capacitors on the audio path to Black Gates/ Audio Note standard (VERY OVERSHADOWED BY THE KAISEI SERIES!)
3. Replaced most capacitors on the power supply paths to Panasonic OSCONs
4. Replaced 3 headphone outputs to Western Electric wire
5. Covered most chips and audio relays with Mu-metal foil (an old trick from the books)
6. Applied Stabilant 22 (Tweak?!) to all audio connectors
7. Applied Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut to the 78xx voltage regulators
(Note: The upgrades at the back are useless cause they supply the display board only, my bad XP )

So what did all of that do? To put it simply, it's gone far beyond what the SE200 would ever achieve, The reason why I got the SE200 in the first place was because despite it sounding quite cool and "modern", it has a good balance throughout the frequency spectrum and is sounds reasonably organic. Back to the Taz... after modifications, the music sounds "full": full as in its warm, its got clarity and fidelity, the boominess and haze is gone, the music has a certain bite to it but non-agressive, but the most important part is that it has a soul now, it is not just high fidelity music I am listening to, it is the artist, their interpretation of their music and me, this is something that my SE200 never really achieved, I'm overjoyed to see how my Taz has come so far from where it began.
I see myself doing further improvements to the Taz though, I'm posting this as a Phase 1 upgrade, Phase 2 would mostly involve the transformers, audio and electrical. It'll be substantially more difficult because they involve measurements and circumstances beyond my control but I look forward to the challenges I will face

 

[carb0mb]

Bruh holy crap…

 

[Vamp898]

If anyone is interested in an TA-ZH1ES, give me an heads up, i'm selling mine as it is sitting here unused and gathering dust

 

[kefs]

I am amazed how quick the battery gets used connecting walkman to the TAZ, I can see why the first models had a charging cradle