hi guys see that some have the HAPZIES UNIT. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNIT . 25000 CDS RIPPED PLUS 100 HIGH RES ALUMS. XTENDED UNIT WITH 2 TERA. COULDNT GET ANY MOBILE APP WORKING PROPERLY /STOP/STARTING /SLUGGISH ETC READ SOME WERE IT CAN ONLY COPE WITH 20000 TRACKS SAY 1000ALBUMS. CAND SOMEONE CONFIRM THAT THEY HAVE MORE THAN A 1000 CDS ON UNIT AND IT WORKS PERFECT.
I was not happy with this unit so I took it back for refund.// £2000 it costs in u.k.
would like to repurchase if because I want to get away from streaming and do like the dsd sound too. sony support UKwas poor . very poor any one help please allan Yorkshire uk
Hi anan1946,
Welcome to AC and the RWA forum! I have not had experience with loading 2500 CDs yet. I've been 'cherry-picking' some of my favorites so far. I wonder if the problem has to do with the fact that you were using a 2TB external USB drive (vs. if a larger HDD was installed inside the unit)?
I recommend you also post here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=123436.0as this is a more general discussion thread about the stock player than this RWA thread, which is more "modification-centric." Hopefully your post will get more exposure there and responses from those who already have > 1000 albums loaded.
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RWA-Z1ES-2 Last night I completed the upgrade to the power supply rail decoupling caps on the audio board (the ones for the d/a chips and clocking). I'm happy to report that Z1ES-2 was successful in:
- Bringing better attack and decay of the notes.
- Offering more silence between the notes from a blacker background level.
- Enhancing fine-detail retrieval.
It really unravels more information out of well-recorded high resolution tracks. Shelby Lynne's "Just a Little Lovin" in DSD is an example of a dream album that shows off how good it can get!
I added the RWA-Z1ES-2 package to our website:
http://redwineaudio.com/mods/rwa-z1es-xIt includes everything from RWA-Z1ES-2, but the power supply board mods and well as more vibration damping inside the enclosure.
I know, I know ... more pictures need to be added to the website. I'll get there, but for now I need to put the time into the modification R&D
and will catch up with the website after.
OPTIONSI am still working out options that
can be added to Z1ES-1 or Z1ES-2 packages if desired, such as:
Volume controlled output: I spoke with John Chapman of Bent Audio yesterday and discussed volume controls. We both believe that the remote controlled stereo Alps pot would give the best value / bang-for-the-buck. The idea (still to be tested here this week) is that it would be installed on the rear panel (as close to the tube stage boards as possible for the shortest, cleanest signal path). It would be controlled via the Sony remote handset, or the Sony App. The MUTE feature on the remote/app would also work. And when you turn the unit ON, the volume would return to MIN before the unit even boots up. The reason for this is because there would not be a display on the front panel to show the volume position.
- The other option (which can also be offered as an upgrade) is the more expensive Bent Hybrid Resistor board (60 position stepped attenuator volume control boards in a shunt configuration, so only one precision resistor in the signal path). The would also be remote controlled with MUTE feature like the Alps pot above, with return to MIN volume upon boot up.
I'm also thinking that with the Bent Hybrid Resistor option, their PRM-1 controller could be mounted to the front panel. I'm not too sure how it would look there, but it is doable and allows for one to see the volume setting and also control it from the front panel - for those who really want to know where the volume control is set to and be able to control it w/o a remote.
- For those who want to take it to the extreme, the Bent Slagleformer (TVC) modules could be implemented! These are probably one of the finest volume controls available. You pay a premium for them, but if you want to do away with your preamp and want the very best, this should do it! Again, the PRM-1 controller could be installed on the front.
Do check out these Bent Audio offerings:
http://bentaudio.com/index2.htmlNOTE - I haven't tried installing these in the Sony yet, but I am quite confident that it could be done. So contact me if you want to be the first to do it.
Anlog input: This option can be added for someone who wants to feed their analog source into the RWA-Z1ES-1/2 for it to go through the remote volume control and tube output stage. Like the remote volume control option, this is for those who don't want to use a preamplifier in their system - but the analog input would allow for an analog source (e.g. Phonostage) to be added.
Upgrade to SSD:- I am finally going to order a 1TB SSD today and test it out. I think we all know about the advantages of going from HDD to SSD.
RWA-Z1ES-1-BAL and RWA-Z1ES-2-BAL- The same mod packages as the single-ended version, only applied to the balanced (XLR) outputs
instead of the single-ended (RCA) output jacks.
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RWA-Z1ES-3I'll be working on making a custom, external Black Lightning LiFePO4 battery power supply to provide super clean, high-current power to the d/a converters, clocks, and tube output stages, oh my!
I'd like for this external battery to automatically turn ON and OFF when the Sony player is turned ON/OFF so you don't have to think about it. But there could also be a mode that keeps it turned OFF (when you have the Sony ON just for transferring music). This will take a couple of weeks to develop, but I expect some really good things with it!
User Reviews / Testimonials
Smargo received his RWA-Z1ES-1 yesterday, so I suspect he'll be posting in the next few days. Another customer had a stock Sony drop-shipped to me from Crutchfield and is deciding on what mod package to go with.
Having new units drop-shipped to me for modification is fine - but please have the tracking number and your name in the shipping label so I know it belongs to you. E.g. Red Wine Audio, John Doe, etc.
Review units will also be sent out in due time. Right now I have a stock unit and my Z1ES-2 modded unit going into the Isabella preamp so I can do easy A/B'ing. Having the burned-in stock unit here has been very helpful in allowing me to listen to where I was, and where I am going with the modification process. It's really hard to go back to the stock for more than a track or two...
Vinnie
