dennis336

The changing of the Windows 10 Control Panel worked for one album but then dropped out -- seems line the automatic shut down kicks in -- will check that - in any case Sony had updated some of the manuals for the HAPZ on 15 Oct 18 -- will check that. https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/audio-components-hdd-audio-network-audio-players/hap-z1es#/downloadTab

OK I uninstalled the PC HAP down-loader and downloaded new one from the Sony site and installed --- seems a solution -- Just downloaded a DSD album with no problems -- will see....

That one in 2017 was for MAC download -- the PC one is still from 2013

There was a post on Sony help recommending deleting and reinstalling the HAP download app -- I will try that - again a lot of people have the same issue - at least with PCs - and Sony needs to recognize that.

I have the same download issues on PC since the software update -- does someone know how to contact Sony on the issue since the only solution is an update to the software.

Check out Sony instructions https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=HAPZ1ES Sent from my iPad

Another forum Thank you Richard Zane and christoum for answering my question on size of external HD. After I complained to Sony email support, they gave me a link to US Sony ES customer support: https://dealersource.sel.sony.com/dsweb/p/builtin/contact_support.html no email but 2 phone numbers one for installation help (866) 924-7669 and the other for customer service (877) 619-7669. A very helpful person answered the phone right away (no long voice menu system Yay). He explained that he has tested a single 4TB hd with no issues. He said that there is no reason why a larger drive would not work but he just has not tried it yet. He also mentioned that the 20,000 song limit applies to the number of files you can transfer at once and that he has over 30,000 songs on his HAP-Z1 ES. Just thought I'd relay this information. Would love to hear how others are doing with their external drives and libraries and I will report back when I have finished loading up my friend's unit.

There was a great deal of discussion of 30,000 year ago. I have 30,000 no problem- recall that it was an erroneous or misconstrued comment from Sony tech - my 4tb external works fine.

Hub is - Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub - I tried more expensive but this works fine - with the CD add also and to output to a DAC

Christoum -- how did you transfer the files from your earlier external to the new one? -- I moved the files from a 2Tb to a 4Tb by drag and drop and it took almost two days.

Thanks christoum and audio.bill - the issue is indeed the connection and the USB hub -- I was using a powered one but with power not connected -- apparently this is not enough -- when I replaced it with a true passive one there are no issues and no popups. One question for all is why Sony continues to add features and updates to the HAP - which was first issued in 2013 - I know that there are continued advs on it from high end dealers etc - so presume they want to encourage more sales - but it would appear that their aim should be for a new model due to tech progress.

I have the HAP set up to the external DAC Oppo Sonica. As I noted earlier setup is easy. Because the Sonica has the new ESS Saber pro there is considerable improvement from the older HAP DAC chip -- at least to my ears. Since the HAP has only one USB output -- Sony updated software lets you connect via USB port a CD player (so you can download from a CD) - an external drive and the link to the DAC - the only issue I have is that for some reason the HAP does not recognize the external drive at start-up and I get -- do you want to connect this drive popup? each time. For some reason this does not happen in the downloading of new music files to the HAP through the Ethernet connection I have to it -- and the files go without problem to the external drive.

FYI - for those of you who use the HAP via a USB to a DAC there was a software update from Sony yesterday: IMPORTANT: This update is available only by performing a Network Upgrade. This firmware upgrade (version 18120R) provides the following improvements over version 18033R: Improves playback quality for the USB digital output function. (download noted this is focused on 32bit DACS) Improves Network connections with HDD Audio Remote and HAP Music Transfer applications. Improves communication security. IMPORTANT: To use the HDD Audio Remote app on your smartphone or tablet you must update the app software using the Google Play™ online store for Android™ devices, or the iTunes® App Store for iOS devices.

Yes -- If you have the latest HAP-Z software upgrade that came out a few months ago you can attached a USB hub to the HAP-Z and then connect an external storage drive and also the USB connector to the Oppo DAC - you need a USB A 2.0 to USB B (you do not need a powered HUB). There is a selection on the Oppo to select the USB B connection - you use the HAP-Z app to play music - there is also a Oppo app for connections of a hard drive directly to the Oppo. Following is from Sony HAP-Z: Using a USB digital audio device (USB Digital Output)While a Sony USB digital audio device (USB DAC), such as TA-ZH1ES or CAS-1, is connected to the EXT port on the back of the HDD AUDIO PLAYER, you can output audio signals to the connected USB digital audio device for music playback.Connect a USB digital audio device to the EXT port on the back of the HDD AUDIO PLAYER.Select [settings] - [Audio Settings] from the Home screen.Select [uSB Digital Output].Select [Auto].Descriptions of menu settingsSelectable menu items are described below.Auto:If a USB digital audio device is connected, audio signals are output to the connected device for playback. If not, audio signals are output to the devices connected to the analog output terminals (LINE OUT UNBALANCED (analog: unbalanced output) L/R jacks and LINE OUT BALANCED (analog: balanced output) L/R jacks) via the built-in D/A converter of the HDD AUDIO PLAYER (factory default setting).Off:Audio signals are always output to the devices connected to the analog output terminals (LINE OUT UNBALANCED (analog: unbalanced output) L/R jacks and LINE OUT BALANCED (analog: balanced output) L/R jacks) via the built-in D/A converter of the HDD AUDIO PLAYER, regardless of whether a USB digital audio devices is connected.DSD Output (DoP) settingsWhile [uSB Digital Output] is set to [Auto], you can turn on or off the DSD Output (DoP) function.On:Enables playback of music files in the DSD formats with the connected USB digital audio device. Select this item if the connected USB audio device supports DoP transfer.Off:Disables playback of music files in the DSD formats with the connected USB digital audio device. Music files in the DSD formats are skipped for playback (factory default setting).NoteSome USB digital audio devices may not work for playback.While the USB Digital Output function is set to [Auto] and audio signals are being output to the connected USB digital audio device, signal output through the analog output terminals (LINE OUT UNBALANCED (analog: unbalanced output) L/R jacks and LINE OUT BALANCED (analog: balanced output) L/R jacks) is disabled.You cannot output audio signals, which are input from the audio device connected to the input jacks on the HDD AUDIO PLAYER, to the connected USB digital audio device for playback because they are designed to be sent to the analog output terminals on the HDD AUDIO PLAYER at all times.You cannot use a USB digital audio device to play the contents that are unavailable for playback (grayed out) on the HDD AUDIO PLAYER.

Thank for the update -- on the gapless issue -- it depends on what type of music you play -- I am all classical so for operas and such there are many single files for the work sometimes dividing up the section thus there is a few second gap in a singer from one file to the next -- for jazz or pop etc do not see an issue given that the files are usually complete -- I also prefer the HAP Z app for playing vice the Oppo Sonica -- but this again because its a lot easier for classical.