Sony TA-ZH1ES

I saw some threads for the new Sony DAPs and headphones, but not much information about their new desktop headphone DAC/Amp.

http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/audio-components/ta-zh1es

I know most people here shy away from combo units, but it's still most convenient for me (and I assume for some others out there) so this has me intrigued. The ~$2200 price tag seems a bit nuts to me though. I can't really tell if the majority of the website is marketing b.s. though it smells suspicious to me.

The main reason I have high hopes is that the ZX2 seems to be quite well regarded here with little "digital" flavor of other d-s DACs. I think the TA-ZH1ES uses some FPGA stuff like the Mojo instead of off-the-shelf DACs.

Hoping this will be a good upgrade from my Oppo HA-1, but that price tag makes me pause unless it can compete with other heavyweights in that class.

 

What's disappointing is the RCA single end preamp output. At this price point, I would expect a balanced preamp.
But what matters most is how does it sound. Let's see if Sony has created a masterpiece or something that should be float down LA river.

Alternative Balanced dac+amp options:
GUNGNIR + MJOLNIR 2 SS @ $1698.
Audio-gd Master 11 @ $1950 before shipping

 

Google translate works pretty well for this page:
http://www.sony.jp/audio/special/interview/ZH1ES/

 

I have this amp and I'm very happy with it. I'm upgrading from a PHA-3 tho. Single ended output is fine for me as I'll only be connecting a project ember tube amp to it. I'm mainly using it as all in one headphone amp with balanced connections. I have no other equipment that I could use in balanced anyway.

Not everything is about minimum price, I will say that. Every amp/dac combo sounds different and has different capabilties, so I feel that the Sony is a good option for people that are interested in this type of approach (ie, being able to upsample to DSD 512 on the fly, 32/768 support, DSEE HX modes, and DC Phase Linearizer for more analog sound out of solid state amp)

 

I also have a HA-1 that I really like. Thinking of trying a Gungnir Multibit to use with the HA-1's amp. I drive my HA-1 with my MAC Mini's SSD and a custom power supply. What's your reply when some folks dis the DAC as ESS Saber Glare?

 

Sabre Glare is a real thing. The PHA3 had a 9018 and the HD700 was borderline unlistenable through it. Fast forward to the FPGA based ZH1ES and totally different ( much nicer) sound out of it. Balanced connection both times, kinda shocking.

Not that the 9018 sounds bad by any means, it's great. But at least the 700 didn't sound good with it.

 

Resurrecting an old thread. I'm a fan of the Sony S-master walkman organic sound (zx2 and now zx507)..
I'm looking for a smooth, non digital sounding all in one - is there something more competitive nowadays that can provide this non fatiguing but still technically capable sound (i.e. only warm/smooth is not enough). I don't have a chance to test it out anymore - coupe of years back I did listen to one briefly with 64 Audio a12ts; i liked how it smoothed them out a bit but i don't remember much else now.

Plan to use it with HD650 and a bunch of IEMs... in the future maybe also with an HD800s.

Can the TA-ZH1ES make sweet love to my ears whilst I sip on a glass of single malt.

I also had the PHA3 and ditched it - I could feel the sabre dac (was it glare?) even though sony did their own tuning.

 

In short, no.

I had the chance to try this as a combo dac/amp quite a while ago. Maybe about 2 years ago. I think I tried ZMF and the Z1R with it. The sound did not captivate me at all. It sounded flat to me and wasn't engaging enough. This thing also doesn't put out a lot of power. So I can imagine headphone usage will be rather limited.

One thing stands out to me is the build quality. It is a Sony after all. Their products are really well made.

IMO, not worth it for the price. Unless you're really into Sony, there are plenty of alternatives. I would recommend the THX 789 or GSX Lite mk2, and a separate dac. I suspect even the Airist RDAC+THX 789 would be better.

 

I can still remember my experience with TA-ZHYUIOLA2ER vividly when I tried OG Andromeda with its 4.4 balance out a few months back. Took me half a minute before prying the IEM off and having a good laugh because it didn't sound that much different from the good ol' ZX300 or WM1A in terms of resolution or even FR(!). I laughed even louder once I saw the price which invited glares from all Sony employees there that I had to leave early.

So to echo @Jerry 's impression of it and answer the question: if ZX300 or WM1A can't make sweet love to your ears from a sonic standpoint, I can almost guarantee TA-ZHZXXYMZNJAS2020 won't. It looks really nice and shiny though so I guess you can go for it if your idea of making love to your ears is different than mine.

Seeing that you like ZX2's sound, check out Marv's review on this particular dac/amp: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ble-dac-headamp-review-and-measurements.9655/. I have never heard of this one (yet) but looks like it might be worth a shot and cost far less money.

 

I wouldn't say that it's as bad as a WM1A but yes, if you don't like how the WM1A/WM1Z sounds you won't like the ZH1ES either. The benefit is you get a lot of inputs and a lot of outputs in a very polished package. The bad is the low output power. I don't see price as a minus if you get it at grey market pricing.

In particular, it seems to be a nice fit for the Focal clear and the ADX5000. I would definitely not recommend for planars though.

 

I've never heard the WM1A or WM1Z, but i've extensively used both ZX2 and ZX507 - both of which i like (more so than most other DS dacs I have, big or small), but they don't quite get past the foreplay stage - i was hoping the TAZ can get to the next level (closer to my modest vinyl rig - warm, dynamic and natural), but it seems it's just murky and boring sounding based on the feedback thanks for saving me some cash!

I'm guessing something like a modi multibit paired with my ifi ican se might be more competitive sonically

ps I don't need a lot of power, reasonable output is fine for HD650s

 

Andromeda out of ZX2 is one of the best (if not the best) combinations - the OI with the ZX2 organic sound (probably similar to WM1A/ZX300) unleashes the Andromeda whilst taming its treble peak, and keeping the balanced armature tone in check. I've tried many other combinations, from desktop amps to dragonflies nothing matches this combination.. It's similar with my ZX507, even if it's a touch more bassy. If you're saying the TAZ gets close to this, then I'd say it's not a bad thing.. but yeah I agree, it should do more than the Sony DAPs for 2000$ - perhaps with full sized cans..

 

I agree, ZX2 + Andromeda is simply phenomenal! I'm still looking for the same sound myself. Personally I don't much care about Andro out of ZX300 or ZX507 in the first place though (EQ'd FDX1 is a better fit for my tastes), maybe that's why I don't feel so excited about TAZ. Its price here is somewhere north of $3,500 too so I can't help but feel strongly about it. In the end, you might like TAZ a lot more than I do and that is all that matters. I hope COVID-19 blows over soon so you can get your ears on it!

 

I use the FDX1 with ZX507. It doesn't get as much ear time as my Andros or Sony IER-M7.. when I first got it I was impressed and tooting it's horn, but after using it for a while i find it a bit strange even with warmest filters: like it has a touch of metallic tone, and somewhat aggressive but warm tonality which is contradictory; it seems to play best with bright sources with recessed mids to offset the mid-forwardness and bass, and compensate for the recessed highs - the ZX507 with it's neutral-forward mids and meaty bass doesn't gel as well

 

It's definitely a lot better than the ZX2. I think it'll work for the 650s but yeah, better pairings are available unless you really care about having everything in one nicely finished box.

One other option to look at for the HD650 is older Rudistor amps. They get some flak here but options for warm solid state amps are kind of thin, and you don't necessarily want to run it in balanced mode, especially with cheaper amps, if you can help it. Or if you want the crack option, go try out a few older 8-50w integrated amps in the $1,000 range. The HD650 will handle the wattage just fine.

I don't think that the THX 789 is better, but the ZH1ES is a little bit anemic too.

 

P1u does look intriguing - I will keep my eyes peeled for it. I have a Woo WA8 which mates well with the HD650s, but I do find it's dac lacking and it has bit of that sabre glare.. I do use it to soften my other sources, and it works quite well but it's better when used with it's own dac. I guess what I was hoping to get with the TA-ZH1ES is a clean but organic smooth sounding dac first, with a sensible amplifier AIO.. I wanted to try an opposite approach to the WA8 - warm/organic (but not mushy/incompetent) dac and a not-too-colored amplifier. I might have to look into Schiit multibits - although it's extremely hard to source one in Dubai