Sony ... announces DSD capable hardware

[Synfreak]

As I just posted on the "DSD downloads from Acoustic Sounds" thread, read the news here:

 

Sony - Experience the Power of Premium Sound with Sony : : News : Sony Europe Press Centre

 

or, as example:

 

HAP-Z1ES | Home Cinema Receivers | Features | HAPZ1ESS.CEK | HAPZ1ES | Sony

 

It seems to be an interesting device, as it might/could be used "stand-alone" or as additional digital frontend.

 

But at the time it is lacking support for larger libraries (limited to 20000 songs), and it may use an 2,5" harddrive, which limits the internal storage capacity too.

 

But it still is great news, as Sony might push the envelope further in the future ...

[One and a half]

The Sony players look as though they are ready to go with minimal efforts, and that's a great stepping stone for those that have had it with MP3.

 

It's a good transition, since opting for a PC with a DAC and amp for the newbies is very overwhelming, all that can come later.

 

Here's a solution in the one box, looks like it's hackable with different hard drives, that will appeal to the adventurous, and the models with network are an add on to an existing DLNA type home movie server approach, HRA is a natural extension to that and also ready to go.

Whether it will do gapless, we will have to wait.

 

Let's see what Sony Japan website has behind curtain #2....

[wappinghigh]

This is huge news.... Absolutely HUGE. These are DSD file capable. What this means is Sony has finally.... FINALLY joined the DSD file playback 21C... They have acknowledged the reality of unshackling DSD from SACD (disc) format..... Congratulations Sony! BRING IT ON!... Lets see more! Lets see the release of the catalogue online!

[ted_b]

This is, IMO, a better site for all this. A decent Sony explanation of the DSD /hirez world, and a one-stop page for all their new DSD-capable stuff. Impressive. Add to that the software deal with Chad and they are now a real player in like 2 days time! And Lord knows they know DSD. It's about time they figured out they were sitting on a market "fad" or traction (glass half empty/full).

 

High-Resolution Audio

[Audio_ELF]

Hopefully Sony will get Sony Music Entertainment / Sony BMG involved too...

 

The start of something good?

[Miska]

Hopefully Sony will get Sony Music Entertainment / Sony BMG involved too...

 

The start of something good?

 

Would this be somehow related?

 

Acoustic Sounds Announces DSD Deal with Sony Music! | AudioStream

[elcorso]

This is, IMO, a better site for all this. A decent Sony explanation of the DSD /hirez world, and a one-stop page for all their new DSD-capable stuff. Impressive. Add to that the software deal with Chad and they are now a real player in like 2 days time! And Lord knows they know DSD. It's about time they figured out they were sitting on a market "fad" or traction (glass half empty/full).

 

High-Resolution Audio

 

Many thanks also to you Ted!

 

You have been the great promoter of DSD.

 

Your efforts paid off.

 

Congratulations and kind regards,

 

Roch

[Savage]

Price points will be interesting. The sony players with a good PS can really be astounding.

[les pako]

Are you all saying that converting everything to DSD is the way to go?

[wappinghigh]

^ There are two DSD capable receivers ("Coming in a firmware upgrade this fall") in that list of gear as well...

 

? via attached USB ? via UPnP ? via both?? ? Multichannel as well?? Anybody know?

[One and a half]

Are you all saying that converting everything to DSD is the way to go?

 

A resounding yes. With the flexibility to do the conversion in software or in the DAC gives you the choice. So far the software route wins for me, with PCM2DSD in software, for even a very modest DAC in a KORG-DS-10 sounds ver, very engaging. If that fails, (most) high end DSD DACs convert everything to DSD128 (except the new Ayre DAC).

[ted_b]

Sony, especially lately with the new SS-AR series speakers, has proven they can produce very musical equipment. It will be interesting to see if this new group of DSD (and related) offerings go that extra mile and include enough to truly compete with the best of the speciality companies..like they clearly do with the AR-1.

 

P.S. thanks Roch

[Audio_ELF]

Just an update with UK prices (details from Sony launches High Resolution audio product range and hi-res downloads site | whathifi.com - text in italic below is copy and paste).

 

The new Sony range in full is: the HAP-Z1ES HDD audio player, TA-A1ES stereo amplifier, HAP-S1 compact HDD audio system, UDA-1 USB DAC amplifier and SS-HA1 and SS-HA3 bookshelf speakers.

 

Sony HAP-Z1ES HDD audio player

The HAP-Z1ES HDD audio player and TA-A1ES integrated stereo amplifier are the flagship products in the range at £2000 a piece.

 

The Sony HDD audio player has a 1TB internal hard drive – expandable via USB – and supports a wealth of audio codes including AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD, FLAC, MP3, WAV and WMA.

 

It's WiFi-enabled and supports DLNA streaming and has the vTuner internet radio service built-in. There's a 4.3in LCD display and balanced and standard audio line outputs.

 

Android and iOS apps allow for control and a application on your computer will keep the HDD sync'd. The "matching" amplifier is 80wpc with "all-discreet preamp stages and audiophile-grade components throughout". Both due to be available in November.

 

If they live up to the ES badging then could be very good sounding.

 

Also available is the Sony HAP-S1 HDD audio system

An all in one system featuring a 500GB HDD (expandable via USB), analogue and digital (co-ax and optical) inputs and 40wpc amplifier. £800 also available in November (speakers not included).

 

Finally Sony UDA-1 USB DAC

The DAC suggests it can connect to any computer or even smartphone, then to a pair of speakers, to give your sound a boost. A 225mm chassis makes it fairly compact, too.

 

The Sony UDA-1 USB DAC is due out in mid-October priced at £500.

 

The UDA-1 is not a pure DAC and is actually a DAC with 23wpc amplifer and has an analogue input in addition to the digital inputs (but with a D/A Direct line out).

 

Also announced was a new "Walkman" supporting 24/192 but not DSD as far as I can see.

 

Hope these details are of interest to someone...

 

Eloise

[wappinghigh]

^ They certainly interest me hahaha

 

The fact that Sony is wading into DSD file playback like this in such major way is game changing for DSD. Absolutely GAME CHANGING. Because they wouldn't be doing this, unless they intend to follow it up with online distribution.. AWESEOME...

[wappinghigh]

So several of these Sony setups could all be networked together via UPnP and controlled as a multiroom setup by maybe JRiver..? Kind of a high end DSD capable Sonos???? Is this where this is heading??

[wappinghigh]

There aren't any online manuals.. They seriously don't think anyone is going to buy these before reviewers or we can see the manuals.. as a basic example..we don't even know if they are firmware upgradeable..

[JJJ]

Are you all saying that converting everything to DSD is the way to go?

 

No. Converting existing LPCM to DSD yields nothing.

[JJJ]

Hmm...Yawn.

 

Player...boring. Can build better.

 

Content...same old garbage.

[Paul R]

No. Converting existing LPCM to DSD yields nothing.

 

Actually - it depends upon the DAC you sending it to. If the DAC supports DSD natively the sonic difference can be - astounding. YMMV and TANSTAAFL.

 

-Paul

[Audio_ELF]

There aren't any online manuals.. They seriously don't think anyone is going to buy these before reviewers or we can see the manuals.. as a basic example..we don't even know if they are firmware upgradeable..

Give them a chance ... They aren't actually available to buy (at least not in UK).

 

Eloise

[Audio_ELF]

Hmm...Yawn.

 

Player...boring. Can build better.

 

Content...same old garbage.

Perhaps, but what is more significant than the actual hardware is that they are from Sony who have the potential of pushing High Res recordings via their record lables.

 

Formats such as BluRay and DVD and VHS have been successful because of the content NOT because of the superiority (or otherwise) of the technology.

 

Eloise

[JJJ]

Actually - it depends upon the DAC you sending it to. If the DAC supports DSD natively the sonic difference can be - astounding. YMMV and TANSTAAFL.

 

-Paul

 

That just means that particular DAC is crap at LPCM.

[JJJ]

Perhaps, but what is more significant than the actual hardware is that they are from Sony who have the potential of pushing High Res recordings via their record lables.

 

Eloise

 

When / if that happens then that may well be news. The above isn't. Back to sleep people.

[Paul R]

No, it means that Direct Streamed Digital playback has some serious advantages over Linear Pulse-Code Modulation playback.

 

What is the basis for your opinion otherwise?

 

-Paul

 

 

That just means that particular DAC is crap at LPCM.

[JJJ]

I don't believe you can start with LPCM, convert it to DSD and expect better except in the case that your chosen DAC is better at handling DSD and somehow deficient in its handling of LPCM. The conversion process can't create new content. The poster was asking if converting everything to DSD was the way to go.