'Immensely Capable Unit'

FOR Crisp presentation; fine build and finish; refined sound.

AGAINST Lacks excitement; analogue input could be better.

From the development of CD and the Walkman to the various PlayStation incarnations, Sony has had a dramatic effect on the world of home electronics. And let’s not forget the major role the brand played in establishing DVD and Blu-ray, let alone its impact as a film studio.

To mark its 70th anniversary this year, the electronics powerhouse has released a range of Signature products. These are distinctly premium items: two portable music players, a pair of closed-back headphones, and the TA-ZH1ES DAC we have on test here.

Think of them as a showcase for everything the company has learned over the past seven decades.

Hybrid approach

Given Sony’s background, it comes as no surprise to find the TA-ZH1ES crammed with interesting technology. At its heart is the latest version of the company’s S-Master digital amplification circuit. This can process the incoming digital signal directly, so simplifying the signal path compared to conventional alternatives.

But there’s a twist here. The engineers have added an analogue amplifier into the mix to correct any distortion caused by the digital section. Digital amplification can be sensitive to the electrical load it’s connected to, so in this case the analogue section compensates for any distortion caused by the type of headphones used. This hybrid approach is both unusual, and mighty clever.