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California Audio Show (CAS) Aug 15th - 17th, 2014


blessingx

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Undoubtedly, but I will be out of state and will have to miss that one. So sad. Also realizing I cannot make the show either due to a wedding that weekend. Oh well. Edited by Voltron
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  • 1 month later...

Was short, but sweet visit. Only had a couple hours. Picked up a couple RR CDs, but otherwise wallet survived. Awfully tempted by Sony HAP-Z1ES and new $1K HAP-S1 sources though. Best sounding room? San Francisco Audiophile Society's w/ KEF LS50s! I keed. Zu was definitely most fun. Too much to visit.

Crappy/blurry phone photos...

HAP-S1 all in one
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Two new EC amps (including ECSS replacement)
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Burwell & Sons beauty
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Deal I would have jumped on if situation slightly different (sounded quite nice for price)
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TriangleArt table porn (with preamp/preamp/preamp)
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Justin Steve
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Dusty approved
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Edited by blessingx
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Sorry, when using a camera phone you use what's in focus. ;)

Good talking with you too Steve. Wish we had more time. Hope today goes well too.

For those curious, though the Sony HAP-Z1ES gets all the press, the "consumer" HAP-S1 may be more useful for many. Lose the upsample everything to DSD, dual mono design, and half the price, but gain actual digital/analog inputs/outputs (remember streaming services, not supported in either) including a decent headphone out and speaker amp. As Audioholics said "If you ever needed an example of how audiophiles will pay a premium to have LESS features, this is it." Could be an interesting consideration for those looking at Oppo's HA-1, the Peachtrees or the Sprout.

Edited by blessingx
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 the "consumer" HAP-S1 may be more useful for many. Lose the upsample everything to DSD, dual mono design, and half the price, but gain actual digital/analog inputs/outputs (remember streaming services, not supported in either) including a decent headphone out and speaker amp. As Audioholics said "If you ever needed an example of how audiophiles will pay a premium to have LESS features, this is it." Could be an interesting consideration for those looking at Oppo's HA-1, the Peachtrees or the Sprout.

 

I am interested in the HAP-S1, looks like a cool lil' all-in-one box, but what is up with this amp spec:

 

32 watts x 2 into 4 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 10% THD

 

10% THD? I thought it might be a misprint on crutchfield but everywhere I look its the same spec.

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Even if the amp can't, it has RCA outputs.  Can't tell if it's volume controlled or not, but thinking it's fixed output.  Per Sony's literature:

 

D/A Direct Line Output: You can use the HAP-S1 as a D/A converter by connecting it to an external amplifier, using the unit's D/A Direct Line Outputs (stereo RCA).  These D/A Direct Line Output jacks directly output analog signals through the unit's D/A converter without using any internal connectors or signal switchers. This eliminates as many elements that reduce the sound quality as possible. 

 
You can connect a digital audio device to the Optical Input or Coaxial Input of the HDD Audio Player System and output the signal from these inputs through the unit's D/A Direct Line Output jacks. The D/A Direct Line Output jacks do not output analog signals input through the system's analog inputs.
 
Just opens up another option for an external amp for your LS-50's-to-be....
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Will the HAP-S1 drive my future KEF LS50s? ;)

Exactly what I was thinking. Simple/easy/small rig (it's half the size of larger than expected HAP-Z1). Bring in streaming through toslink and vinyl through rcas if necessary. Question is that amp. One review said numbers are solid. Another the amp isn't its strong point.

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I'm not sure my home/hair/teeth are gonna look right for the HAP-S1.

If anyone is confused on the differences between the HAP-S1 and the HAP-Z1ES a quick comparison between the above video and the one below should clear things up.  

 

 

 

 

 

On a more serious note, some comparison specs here.

Edited by blessingx
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