Anyone using a Sony Hap Z1ES or any Eversolo products?

[malloy]

Seems like my earlier post attempt was not successful. Posting again.

My Sony Hap Z1ES hard disk player is in a coma. 

It was making a terrible clicking noise like a relay rapidly switching.

I thought it was the HDD dying, so I cloned the drive to a new SSD.

The good news: No more clicking noise.

The bad news:  No more noise or ANY sound at all. Period. 

Repair or replace?

Hoping anyone has any experience with a similar machine or tried any Eversolo products or anything similar that can both stream and has an internal SSD.

I can't totally commit to just streaming, as I have many pieces of music that are only available on CDs that I ripped to disk.


Paul

[Nick B]

Hi Paul,

Sorry about your Sony giving up the ghost. Do you use the CD player function at all or are all your CDs ripped to a hard drive? Doubt I would spend any money on an older player like that. As you probably know, I do nothing but streaming. I have virtually all of my CDs on a hard drive and now I want to add them so they are visible by JPLAY. It seems I might not be able to simply do a plug and play with my Holo Red streamer. So if you get another device, make sure it is simple to transfer or store your ripped music.

As to an Eversolo unit, I believe Jack has one. If so, maybe he can give you his opinion as to build quality, ease of use etc.

Nick

[Jack]

Paul

The Eversolo T-8 will do what you need. It has a robust software suite with more streaming choices than most of the main stream units as well as the ability to store internally on two SSD's.  In addition you can also use external HDs or USB drives.  Fully compatible with Roon or JPlay if either of those is of interest to you.  Solid build quality and US service available through the distributor.  If you buy from Amazon you can test drive it for 30 days to see if it meets your needs. In my system it feeds a Holo Spring 3 KTE via either USB or I2S. I've had mine since the first of October and it gets used daily.

[malloy]

Hi Paul,

Sorry about your Sony giving up the ghost. Do you use the CD player function at all or are all your CDs ripped to a hard drive? Doubt I would spend any money on an older player like that. As you probably know, I do nothing but streaming. I have virtually all of my CDs on a hard drive and now I want to add them so they are visible by JPLAY. It seems I might not be able to simply do a plug and play with my Holo Red streamer. So if you get another device, make sure it is simple to transfer or store your ripped music.

As to an Eversolo unit, I believe Jack has one. If so, maybe he can give you his opinion as to build quality, ease of use etc.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Yeah, it was bound to happen. That machine is old.

I just rip my cds with my PC and copy files over the network to the Sony.  I haven't used my old cd player, as it also needs servicing!    Drawer mechanism is slow due to a loose belt and motor issues.

Curious what you use for ripping.

Paul

[Nick B]

Hi Paul,

Virtually all of my CDs were ripped years ago. I sent them to a guy who ripped CDs on the side. He was a member of AC as I recall. I've just ripped a couple of the remaining CDs using an Apple Drive. With the software and different ripping speeds and error correction choices, I can get good quality doing that. I forgot the specific software as it's been a long time since I've ripped any CDs.

Based on Jack's description, I think that Eversolo T8 might be a good choice for you. Let us know what you decide.

Nick

[malloy]

Paul

The Eversolo T-8 will do what you need. It has a robust software suite with more streaming choices than most of the main stream units as well as the ability to store internally on two SSD's.  In addition you can also use external HDs or USB drives.  Fully compatible with Roon or JPlay if either of those is of interest to you.  Solid build quality and US service available through the distributor.  If you buy from Amazon you can test drive it for 30 days to see if it meets your needs. In my system it feeds a Holo Spring 3 KTE via either USB or I2S. I've had mine since the first of October and it gets used daily.

Hi Jack,

Thanks for replying.

I've seen videos on the T8 and looks like it a serious piece of hardware.

I'm also considering the A8 with the internal DAC and maybe upgrade with an external DAC in the future. I think it also has an I2s connection. 

Any experience with that as a streamer or transport versus your T8?

But basically, anything I get will be a step up from my cheapo WiiM and a non-functioning Sony.

Paul

[Jack]

Peter

If you want to start with a DAC/Streamer combo the A8 is a good choice as the software for all of the units is the same in most cases.  From what I've read and from my experience with other units in the past the AKM based DAC in the A8 should be very pleasing.  My first experience with Eversolo was about three years ago with the A6.  It has an ESS based DAC which I was not all that fond of but the AKM units are a good bit smoother sounding without the ESS top end bite. If you are looking in the future to buy another external DAC to have an alternative and think you want to use I2S you need to find out which I2S standard the A8 is using and if it is adjustable via software like in the T8 otherwise you could just use USB.  You may however find that the DAC in the A8 will satisfy you for a long time.  Again I would suggest you buy from Amazon or one of the other online places that allow for trial periods and returns. As to the T8 it will as it is do just about anything you could want a streamer to do.

[malloy]

If you want to start with a DAC/Streamer combo the A8 is a good choice as the software for all of the units is the same in most cases.  From what I've read and from my experience with other units in the past the AKM based DAC in the A8 should be very pleasing.  My first experience with Eversolo was about three years ago with the A6.  It has an ESS based DAC which I was not all that fond of but the AKM units are a good bit smoother sounding without the ESS top end bite. If you are looking in the future to buy another external DAC to have an alternative and think you want to use I2S you need to find out which I2S standard the A8 is using and if it is adjustable via software like in the T8 otherwise you could just use USB.  You may however find that the DAC in the A8 will satisfy you for a long time.  Again I would suggest you buy from Amazon or one of the other online places that allow for trial periods and returns. As to the T8 it will as it is do just about anything you could want a streamer to do.

Great comments, especially about the A6. Had considered it and probably could live with it, but not a fan of a top end like that. The A8 might be what I need for now. Reading the A8's manual online now and there are so many features it has I had not realized were there.

Noticed you have a Jays Audio as a transport as well. What a nice piece of gear. Can't quite spring for anything of that level, but if there is any money left, I might try to get an affordable cd only transport like the SMSL or Shanling so I can spin some discs.

[Jack]

When I was ready to buy a dedicated transport a few years back the only "reasonabley" priced units were tha Jays and the ProJect units. As as the time the Pro Ject units had an almost 50% defect rate the choice was pretty easy.  The other comparable units on the market at the time from companies like Gryphon, Metronome and Esoteric started at over $10,000 and went up from there.  Now there are a lot more units to choose from particularly from the Chinese companies like the ones you have looked at.  There are also a couple of units from Nuprime that you can get from John Casler or Todd at TEK Specialtiess

Good thing with some of the transports and all of the Eversolo's being sold by Amazon as there is the trial option.

[malloy]

Thanks, Jack.

Did not know Pro-Ject had many problems.

I initially also wanted to try HiFi Rose, but have been hearing horror stories about the software and interface, so I will stay away.