how to downgrade firmware 18120R on SONY HAP-Z1ES

[vrdsp0]

I feared your reaction, yes you're right I'll let you talk about Esoteric, I just do not know these products, never heared.

But we talked about Z1ES and NT505 just before, then you talked about your Esoteric device.

 

Furthermore, I may remind you the VRDS story that TEAC brought to masses :

http://www.esoteric.jp/about/history/indexe.html

Thanks sfseay.

 

[sfseay]

Nothing to talk about.  Ignorance is your opinion and experience is mine.

[vrdsp0]

I can live with this ignorance, unless you propose me to share part of your experience ^^. Indeed no comment.

[Otto]

7 hours ago, vrdsp0 said:

I can live with this ignorance, unless you propose me to share part of your experience ^^. Indeed no comment.

Thank you for your help

[Otto]

12 hours ago, sfseay said:

I’m using the latest firmware and connecting the HAPZ1 via USB to an Esoteric N-05 to take advantage of the better DAC.  No issues at all.

18120R inside z1es？Thank you

[Otto]

On 8/26/2018 at 4:43 PM, vrdsp0 said:

Hello Otto,

I understand your HAP-Z1ES has been bought last month and only 1 firmware is shipped inside.

 

I would say bad luck, I’m not aware of any unofficial downgrade solution. Maybe Sony could help with that, under the rationale it breaks compatibility with M2Tech Hifave Two (third party for Sony), and you bought this Z1ES for the sole purpose of doing that, but you certainly would have to reach level 2 or level 3 support team, if it exists... again good luck with that.

 

I still use sometimes the M2Tech hiface Two plugged in the Z1ES with 18033R, but I now prefer the onboard DAC, as there are two analog output for feeding two different speakers, with no complexities, and which is still a good DAC.

 

you want DSD to coax :

-not sure it can be done with existing products.

if you want DSD DOP, M2tech hiface two, even the ‘evo’ version is ruled out. I do not know other devices that would do that.

=>why do you want DSD over  coax?

 

-USB is now better and more flexible to transport DSD signals. SPDIF has been designed for PCM.

From that perspective Z1ES only does DSD DOP over USB, in other words, no direct DSD possible through USB.

 

There certainly now are other better streamers, but all are out of my budget.

Though I would be curious if the NT-505 has been improved and polished, so that it removes all known and less highlighted flaws of the previous iteration NT-503. Distribution of this product is now done by Onkyo in the US, so coming months will tell. No known changes in Europe on the distribution side.

 

But Z1ES is still a keeper for various reasons : 

you got your own music collection you still like Spotify

you got no broadband connection

 

But reasons to change are increasingly important :

you want TIDAL, Qobuz, or Other online services inside one box.

you need Direct DSD

you badly want the trendy MQA (not for me, thanks)

 

Still there are no affordable 2.0 or 2.1 pre amp in the digital domain available, with a DAC and the processing power for post-processing the signal (volume control, filtering, equalizing, DRC). Alternatively a digital ‘tape monitoring’ open standard that would permit the chaining of digital boxes on the signal path would be an innovation...

One interesting example, but not complete, is the prosumer Rme ADI-2 Pro, which could show to the legacy hifi industry the right things to integrate.

NAD has begun to do that sort of things in the M series but the resulting prosumer devices are far too restricted for me. 

 

So you may prefer want a combo streamer+pre amp for simplicity sake. NT-505 do that with all the right formats. But again no digital outputs.

 

Sorry I diverted the subject :

-why do you want DSD over coax?

-you my want to exchange the z1es with an older one if you want to use your hiface two

Sir

Have you upgraded your z1es firmware to 18444?

What do think if connect with ADI-2 Pro

do you think they match? thank you

 

[vrdsp0]

Hello Otto,

Yes I upgraded to 18444, to have the latest hot fix.

 

ADI 2 Pro looks like a real performer, however I did not try it.

Whether it will be compatible with the Z1ES, I do not know.

I like the AK4490 sound (from the UD503) as it provides subtlety in its enormous dynamic range. 

 

Keep in mind :

- read the ADI 2 pro manual before buy, especially to make sure the routing/cabling you expect is possible. It is a geek product that requires a bit of time to handle.

 

- for DSD you will have an alternative :

 either DSD direct with effects disable (bass, loudness, especially also no volume control!)

or effects, but there will be a DSD to PCM conversion inside the ADI2PRO. The latter is very convenient, but is considered less transparent sonically. With this device, and appropriate system, you can make your own opinion.

 

The exclusive feature in the ADI 2 Pro is its A/D capability, to DSD.

The sound processing (and volume) is done in the digital domain, in PCM, like pro devices.

It includes a preamp too.

 

The Adi2pro has no remote, which is why I did not wanted it.

Also, the internal implementation is correct, performant, VERY reliable, but not HIGH-END. In particular, the two stereo DACs are used for 4 channels instead of the classical comparison scheme which improves the Signal/Noise by a few dB on 2 channels.

 

the latest Firmware of the adi2 pro 183/88 DAC23/23 introduce larger compatibility with USB sources.

 

The RME forum (forum.rme-audio.de) is active in case you have issues with the Z1ES.

 

They asked for feedback for the HAP-S1 recently, so a feedback Ith the Z1ES would have attention from then too.

 

Again, it is a semi-pro product, be sure you have enough time to dedicate to set up this product. 

 

[Otto]

10 hours ago, vrdsp0 said:

Hello Otto,

Yes I upgraded to 18444, to have the latest hot fix.

 

ADI 2 Pro looks like a real performer, however I did not try it.

Whether it will be compatible with the Z1ES, I do not know.

I like the AK4490 sound (from the UD503) as it provides subtlety in its enormous dynamic range. 

 

Keep in mind :

- read the ADI 2 pro manual before buy, especially to make sure the routing/cabling you expect is possible. It is a geek product that requires a bit of time to handle.

 

- for DSD you will have an alternative :

 either DSD direct with effects disable (bass, loudness, especially also no volume control!)

or effects, but there will be a DSD to PCM conversion inside the ADI2PRO. The latter is very convenient, but is considered less transparent sonically. With this device, and appropriate system, you can make your own opinion.

 

The exclusive feature in the ADI 2 Pro is its A/D capability, to DSD.

The sound processing (and volume) is done in the digital domain, in PCM, like pro devices.

It includes a preamp too.

 

The Adi2pro has no remote, which is why I did not wanted it.

Also, the internal implementation is correct, performant, VERY reliable, but not HIGH-END. In particular, the two stereo DACs are used for 4 channels instead of the classical comparison scheme which improves the Signal/Noise by a few dB on 2 channels.

 

the latest Firmware of the adi2 pro 183/88 DAC23/23 introduce larger compatibility with USB sources.

 

The RME forum (forum.rme-audio.de) is active in case you have issues with the Z1ES.

 

They asked for feedback for the HAP-S1 recently, so a feedback Ith the Z1ES would have attention from then too.

 

Again, it is a semi-pro product, be sure you have enough time to dedicate to set up this product. 

 

Sir ,thank you ,I am going to ask the rme forum

Are you going to buy ud-505?

You're always helpful 

Cheers

[GGanaway]

Hello,

 

Is your Vega still working okay with your HAPZ1ES?  If so, can you tell me what version of firmware you are running?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Gary