Sony HA-PZ1ES Hi-Res audio player with 1TB Drive

Description

Product highlights
1TB built-in hard drive for storing digital music files (expandable via USB port)
built-in Wi-Fi for easy connection to a wireless home network
4.3" LCD display with on-screen guide
plays high-resolution digital music files, including DSD (up to 5.6448 MHz) and FLAC (up to 24-bit/192 kHz)
compatible file formats: DSD (.dsf, .diff), WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC (Apple Lossless), MP3, AAC, WMA, ATRAC, (unprotected, 2-channel files for all formats)
supports Spotify Connect for streaming music from Spotify Premium accounts (requires firmware update)
stream thousands of free Internet radio stations through TuneIn
Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) restores high-frequency signals to compressed digital formats like MP3 for more natural, expansive sound (settings: Auto and Off)
free music transfer software ( click here for download link) allows easy transfer of digital music files from a computer to the player's internal hard drive (compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP3, and Mac OS 10.6 and higher)
DSD remastering engine converts all signals to DSD for superior audio performance (feature is selectable)
USB output can be used with a powered USB hub for adding an external hard drive, DAC, and CD drive
supports gapless playback (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, and WMA Lossless files)
adds artist, album, and song info to files without ID3 tags by automatically accessing Gracenote® (Internet connection required)
free HDD Audio Remote app for iOS and Android lets you control the player with your smartphone (Wi-Fi network required)
If you don't have Wi-Fi, you can connect your laptop via USB and control the HAP-Z1ES with "Hi-res Audio Player" PC software
independent digital and analog circuits with separate power supplies reduces digital noise
robust internal frame and solidly-mounted components minimizes vibration and distortion for cleaner sound
stereo 3-pin XLR (balanced) outputs
stereo RCA (unbalanced) outputs
remote output for use with IR flasher (included)
rear-panel USB port (Type A) for connecting an external hard drive, DAC, and/or CD drive for ripping
Ethernet port
detachable power cord
remote control
17"W x 5/18"H x 15-3/8"D
weight: 32 lbs.
warranty: 5 years
What's in the box
HDD Audio Player
6.5' AC power cord
Remote control (RM-ANU183)
2 "AAA" batteries
8' Ethernet cable
39" Stereo RCA cable
58" IR blaster
6.5' Minijack cable
Reference Guide
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Information
Online Product Registration
About this item
Written by Crutchfield's David Brown
Digital audio done right, with ease A digital music systemcan really pay off when you're listening to gorgeous-sounding high-resolution music files . Fortunately, Sony has done most of the hard work for you in designing their HAP-Z1ES. It's a high-resolution digital music player with a 1TB hard drive built in. So it stores, plays, and decodes all your digital tunes, from MP3s all the way up to lossless FLAC and DSD files. Connect this player to your amplifier or receiver, load up your digital collection, and revel in the ease at which your entire library is at your fingertips and how rich and detailed it all sounds. Oh, and it even has Spotify Connect so you can listen to online music from your Spotify Premium account. Join the high-res revolution Digital music has come a long way from the early days of iTunes and Napster. Low bitrate MP3s evolved into lossless formats with 16-bit/44.1 kHz resolution that are on an equal sonic footing with CDs. Even better, there's been an explosion of high-resolution files available for download on sites like HDtracks and others. These files, with resolution up to 24-bit/192kHz, exceed the sonic limitations of CDs. High-res tunes can make familiar songs sound new again while also showing off your equipment's potential. Not only does the HAP-Z1ES deliver high-res files in their native resolution, it also uses Sony's Digital Sound Enhancement Engine to flesh out the sound of MP3s and other low-res files. " In overall sonics and build-value for the dollar, the Sony HAP-Z1ES sets new standards. For audiophiles and music lovers who want to listen to high-quality digital music files without the hassles of keeping another computer working optimally, the HAP-Z1ES is an attractively priced, yet fully featured option. It also doesn't hurt that its control interfaces are easy to use and unintimidating even for non-techy users. Its sound quality was such that it rivals comparably priced standalone DACs, yet delivers more functionality and won't be made obsolete by the latest USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt interfaces since it uses Ethernet and Wi-Fi as input connections. " - From Steven Stone's review in The Absolute Sound , February 14, 2014 DSD capability takes digital music even higher The HAP-Z1ES takes digital music a step further, with support for Direct Stream Digital, or DSD, a Sony-developed format first used in Super Audio CD. These high-resolution files offer sound that, for many listeners, is closer to analog than digital has ever come. Plus, this player's DSD remastering engine can convert all audio signals to DSD, for a stronger sense of sonic depth and warmth with all your digital files. DSD capability makes the HAP-Z1ES a unique, one-box solution for storing, playing, and decoding DSD files, at a price that's more than competitive. With more record labels, including Sony Music, rolling out DSD downloads, this player is a great option for diving into this exciting format. Effortlessly search your collection on the HAP-Z1ES with the free HDD Audio remote app on your phone or tablet. 1 terabyte of built-in storage Computer audio is very simple - as long as your computer is situated right next to your stereo. But that setup doesn't work for everyone. That's why Sony built a 1TB hard disk drive into the HAP-Z1ES. Worried you'll need more space? You can expand the memory by adding an external hard drive and connecting it to this player's rear-panel USB port. Once you're ready to start moving your music to the player's hard drive, connect the player to your home network via Ethernet and download the free music transfer software to your computer. It's the easiest way to get large digital music collections onto the HAP-Z1ES. With your digital music library on board, you can enjoy all your tunes without connecting your computer or configuring a wireless streaming system. Built for superior sound This player is about more than just easy access to your digital music collection. It's designed to make it sound its best. The high-performance digital-to-analog converter can handle most high-resolution formats. Independent digital and analog circuits with separate power supplies reduce digital noise and improve clarity. All components are solidly mounted in the rigid chassis, which is reinforced with internal framing to further minimize vibration and distortion. The resulting clean sound reveals more details in your music. Send this pure signal along to an integrated amp like the Sony TA-A1ES through the balanced XLR outputs or use the RCA outputs with any amp or receiver. Easy to get started The HAP-Z1ES is very easy to set up and use, especially compared to configuring a computer-based music server. One of this player's best features is the 4.3-inch LCD monitor on the front panel. Not only does it display album art and song info for your stored music files, it also makes it easy to navigate menu options. There's also a free remote app for Apple and Android devices - it's the easiest way to search your library and select tunes for playback.