[Vinnie R.]

One more thing on the Sony HAP-Z1ES from The Show.  Talked with Sony Electronics and they say a firmware upgrade is coming that will fix the inverted phase issue.  Nice to hear they are responding to this one.

Hi bmoura,

Thanks for letting us know about this.  Did they mention if it would be a menu setting?  Did you happen to get the name/contact info for the person you were talking to about this? 

Thanks,

Vinnie

[bmoura]

Hi bmoura,

Thanks for letting us know about this.  Did they mention if it would be a menu setting?  Did you happen to get the name/contact info for the person you were talking to about this? 

Thanks,

Vinnie

It was Aaron Levine at Sony Electronics.  He said it was a firmware upgrade only - not a new menu setting.

[Vinnie R.]

It was Aaron Levine at Sony Electronics.  He said it was a firmware upgrade only - not a new menu setting.

Hi bmoura,

Ok - thanks for the info!

Vinnie

[munosmario]

It was Aaron Levine at Sony Electronics.  He said it was a firmware upgrade only - not a new menu setting.

bmoura, question here is whether they are doing it this way because nobody though of it or told them to do it differently and, so, they proceeded to do it the easiest way...and actually, it may well be that adding a menu toggle switch is a simple matter of adding some basic code to the firmware. Besides his name did you happen to get a business card with contact phone numbers? DSpeaker adds new menu settings and switches to their DualCore AntiMode through firmware upgrades all the time

Mario

[peterlim8]

Aaron Levine

Greater San Diego Area | Consumer Electronics

Current: Product Marketing Manager, Home Audio at Sony Electronics

Past: Marketing Project Manager, Home Audio at Sony, Public Relations Manager at Sony Electronics Inc., PR Specialist at Pioneer Electronics

Education: University of Arizona

Just google and if one have linken account will be able to get more info, I presume.

[munosmario]

peterlim8, this is a great beginning, see how far we can get this "trail" and find some contact info...searching for Sony headquarters (away from the main one in NY) I found one in San Diego, likely the place of work of Mr. Levine. There is a general number  that we can call and inquire for Mr. Levine...if he does not work exactly there, there is a great chance they will know were to contact him...will see. I am outside Boston and can try contacting him during my mid afternoon (EST) tomorrow. Objective will be to determine how feasible would be for them to include a menu based toggle switch for polarity within a firmware revision, if too late for the announced one, then, how about in the following one. Argument in favor (and to touch their corporate pride as a motivator), as we all know, any current source product with true audiophile/high-end pretentions should have a polarity switch, not because that source's circuit itself may invert polarity but because other components in the chain (or the recorded media) may be doing it. So, adding such switch to the HAP would be a greatly welcome convenience.

Mario

[Vinnie R.]

bmoura, question here is whether they are doing it this way because nobody though of it or told them to do it differently and, so, they proceeded to do it the easiest way...and actually, it may well be that adding a menu toggle switch is a simple matter of adding some basic code to the firmware. Besides his name did you happen to get a business card with contact phone numbers? DSpeaker adds new menu settings and switches to their DualCore AntiMode through firmware upgrades all the time

Mario

Hi Mario,

I submitted a request on the sony website for the phase toggle in the Menu (and App).  Never heard back, so it is probably a matter of getting the idea to the engineering team and hopefully they will consider doing it.

Otherwise - no big deal.  Just switch the + and - at each speaker if you think the phase needs to be swapped.  Even if you think it is already correct, it doesn't hurt to swap it at both speakers and see if you can even hear an improvement or not.  It's hard to tell if the absolute phase was preserved in the recording process.  That is why a toggle in the App (via remote) would be nice.

SPEAKING OF REMOTE:

I amp shipping a RWA-Z1ES-2 to a customer tomorrow who ordered it with the Alps Remote Volume control  It's installed and works flawlessly via the Sony Remote handset, and the App! 

It sure sounds great feeding the monoblocks directly - but I don't have time to do A/B comparisons with and without the preamp in the chain. 

I'm still thinking about doing a custom Z1ES mod with the Isabella preamp installed!  An RWA-Z1ES-BELLA!     


BTW -  (and I usually don't like to post "dirty laundry" here), but I am going to cancel my order with B&H Photo because for over a month I have been patiently waiting for a Z1ES, and they have totally dropped the ball and can't even tell me when I am supposed to get it! 
I have bought a couple of Z1ES players for customers from Music Direct, and there has not been a problem (when they have them in stock), and if they don't have them in stock, they give me an accurate estimate when more are on the way.  Sorry B&H, but you really dropped the ball with this and that was supposed to be the review unit!     I hope others have not had this problem.  Just be careful...

Finally (for now), for those of you overseas who want to purchase the RWA-Z1ES player (level 1, 2, or 3), I have successfully installed an internal 220/240Vac to 110/120Vac step-down transformer for a customer in Europe.  I charge $195 for this option.  Otherwise, you can
probably find an external one online for around $50 or so...   

WHAT'S NEXT???

Next week I have scheduled time to look into the BALANCED OUTPUT option of the RWA-Z1ES-X mods.  I'll be reporting about that soon.

What else are we looking for in terms of features?  Headphone output?  Power amp? 

Vinnie

[munosmario]

peterlim8, this is a great beginning, see how far we can get this "trail" and find some contact info...searching for Sony headquarters (away from the main one in NY) I found one in San Diego, likely the place of work of Mr. Levine. There is a general number  that we can call and inquire for Mr. Levine...if he does not work exactly there, there is a great chance they will know were to contact him...will see. I am outside Boston and can try contacting him during my mid afternoon (EST) tomorrow...

Sorry, complicated day, missed today's time window, too late now to call the West Coast. Will follow up early next week.

Mario

[bmoura]

WHAT'S NEXT???

Next week I have scheduled time to look into the BALANCED OUTPUT option of the RWA-Z1ES-X mods.  I'll be reporting about that soon.

What else are we looking for in terms of features?  Headphone output?  Power amp? 

Vinnie

A vote for Headphone output and jack here.... 

[Vinnie R.]

A vote for Headphone output and jack here....

Might as well if I can going to install the remote volume control, and already have the battery packs in there! 

Vinnie

[Vinnie R.]

UPDATES   

Now available!

RWA-Z1ES-1-BAL
RWA-Z1ES-2-BAL
RWA-Z1ES-3-BAL

This is the balanced output version of the RWA-Z1ES-X modifications.

Everything is identical to the (SE) single-ended (RCA outputs) version, but this time the XLR outputs contain the modified line output.
The stock RCA jacks can be disabled, or left in place (but they do not go through the tube stage).  I can disable them (recommended) if you
do not plan to ever use them.

BAL output voltage is approx. 2Vrms, just like the RCA output voltage. 

Pricing is the same, so when you order online, please follow up with a note specifying if you want the -BAL version of the modification.

Next up:

RWA-Z1ES-2.5

This is a new modification package that I am offering for those who want to get as close as possible to the RWA-Z1ES-3 performance, but without
using battery power.  It is the RWA-Z1ES-2 modification, but the following (taken from Level 3) are added:

- New 3.3V and 5V “Super Regulator” boards installed on the audio board - feeding the L and R d/a converter chips
- New 3.3V “Super Regulator” board installed on the audio board – feeding the clock circuitry (used for ALL music file types)

- The sections of the stock unit fed with the digital power supply board (DC-DC voltage regulated) are now powered via the heavily-modified analog power supply (not the stock digital supply) that uses new, low-noise inear voltage regulators.   These now power:

1) System microprocessor
2) The FPGA and Audio DSP chips
3) Ethernet and USB ports
4) SDRAM
5) HDD (or SSD, if you wish to have one installed)
6) The front panel display

COST: $2595

Based on my listening tests, I'd say with the RWA-Z1ES-2.5 you get 85% of the RWA-Z1ES-3 sound (The Level 3 gives you a little bit blacker background, a little bit more authority in the bass, and a little more natural sounding midrange), and you save $400.   

The RWA-Z1ES-2.5 is for those of you who don't ever want to 'mess' with battery power (in terms of the play time limitations of pure BATT operation, and the fact that at some point, the cells will need to to replaced) - but who want to get as close as possible to the RWA-Z1ES-3 performance. 

And of course RWA-Z1ES-2.5-BAL is now available as well.

To everyone who contacted me about the BAL output option, I want to thank you for all your patience.  I am confident that you will find
that the RWA-Z1ES-X-BAL modification were well-worth your wait.

Vinnie

[Vinnie R.]

All,

Been really busy these past few weeks with many different things, including Z1ES mods:

- We've shipped out a few RWA-Z1ES-X-BAL (balanced output version) units.
- I've made a few custom ones upon special request - with analog inputs (that pass to a remote volume control and tube output stage)
and remote volume controlled outputs.

- I'm finishing up a RWA-Z1ES-2.5 that I'll be bringing to Capital Audio Fest! [I just sold a Level 3 unit that I was going to bring to the show,
and I don't have the parts and time to get another Level 3 finished in time, but the Level 2.5 unit is a go!]

It will be feeding a Signature 57 Integrated with dual mono tube input stage, which I currently have loaded up with NOS Telefunken E88CCs and it is sounding fantastic!   

I can't believe we are reaching the end of July!  It has been a busy summer (one of my busiest with sales, and work on all new designs  ).

I hope to see many of you a Capital Audio Fest this coming week - It's a great show, so if you can make it, come visit us in Room 715.  I'll be teaming up with Fidelis AV and they should have the newest Harbeth Super HL5 Plus model - which I'm excited to listen to for a few days!

Have fun!

Vinnie

[bmoura]

- I'm finishing up a RWA-Z1ES-2.5 that I'll be bringing to Capital Audio Fest! [I just sold a Level 3 unit that I was going to bring to the show,
and I don't have the parts and time to get another Level 3 finished in time, but the Level 2.5 unit is a go!]

It will be feeding a Signature 57 Integrated with dual mono tube input stage, which I currently have loaded up with NOS Telefunken E88CCs and it is sounding fantastic!   

Any plans for showing the upgrades at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in October ?

[Gzerro]

Vinnie,

Do you happen to know if the recent firmware upgrade fixes the issue with the reversed phase?

Also any plans for the California show in San Fran? I would love to hear one of your modded units.

Thanks.

Tom

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,

Do you happen to know if the recent firmware upgrade fixes the issue with the reversed phase?

Also any plans for the California show in San Fran? I would love to hear one of your modded units.

Thanks.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I haven't looked into the new firmware, so I cannot confirm at this time if it now "inverts the inverted" polarity. 

I will not be attending the show in SF this year, but I hope to next year.  I plan on trying to attend a handful of shows next year
in general because of what I've been working on.

Hi bmoura,

The next show that I'll have the RWA-Z1ES will be the New York Audio Show in September.  As for RMAF, I will be there as well - but
I cannot confirm at this time what I will be showing.  Things will be more clear in about 6 - 8 weeks, so please check back in with me then.

Thanks,

Vinnie

[bmoura]

Hi Tom,

I haven't looked into the new firmware, so I cannot confirm at this time if it now "inverts the inverted" polarity. 

I will not be attending the show in SF this year, but I hope to next year.  I plan on trying to attend a handful of shows next year
in general because of what I've been working on.

Hi bmoura,

The next show that I'll have the RWA-Z1ES will be the New York Audio Show in September.  As for RMAF, I will be there as well - but
I cannot confirm at this time what I will be showing.  Things will be more clear in about 6 - 8 weeks, so please check back in with me then.

Thanks,

Vinnie

Excellent.  I'll watch for an update on what will be at RMAF.  Hope to see and hear one of your HAP upgrades there.
 

[Vinnie R.]

From Capital Audio Fest:

http://www.AudioAsylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=general&m=679176

I eventually wandered down to the floor below. Someone opened a room door and music flooded out. Following the music, I discovered Harbeth Super HL 5 speakers being driven by a Red Wine integrated amp and a Sony HAP Z1 music file player that had been modified by Red Wine with a tube output stage. This room created a very convincing musical illusion and I must especially credit the modified Sony player as I know the stock player does not sound as good as what I was hearing...

Cheers!

Vinnie

[Dj_AmTraX]

does anyone know if going with SSD would improve the sound some more?

Firmware v 0013814r software just became available. Don't know what's changed.  Not on Sony site yet. 

Vinnie, it was nice seeing you at NY show.

[Merko]

Got this from the sony.co.uk site; seems like a minor update:

Name: Firmware update v13814R for HAP-S1 / HAP-Z1ES
Date released: 28-10-2014
Benefits and improvements:
Improves the internet security when accessing network services

[Vinnie R.]

does anyone know if going with SSD would improve the sound some more?

Firmware v 0013814r software just became available. Don't know what's changed.  Not on Sony site yet. 

Vinnie, it was nice seeing you at NY show and running into you at RMAF.  You going to TAVES this week?

Same here, Dj_AmTraX! 

I am not sure if using a SSD has any sonic improvement.  It certainly has higher reliability, and seems to be a little more
responsive. 

Hi Merko,

Thank you!

Vinnie