Definitive

Sony® ES Signature Series Premium Headphone Amplifier

At a Glance

Unleash the full potential of your headphones and experience the emotional impact of every song as the artist intended. Combining the best of digital and analog sound technology, this one’s for the serious listeners.

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One Signature Sound

Elevating the high-resolution sound experience from one you listen to, to one you can feel.

D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit: a revolution in sound amplification

Our non-feedback S-Master technology maintains the purity of digital sound. Our new D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit takes this one step further, enhancing its precision and sound quality with an analog feed-forward amp. The analog amplifier corrects the conversion error caused by switching amplification.

Pushing digital limitations

To achieve ultimate sound reproduction, S-Master HX digitally amplifies the music signal without any resulting transmission loss. However, at the final stage of amplification, the physical limits of the semiconductor unavoidably cause distortion: there has to be a trade-off between the high power and high speed response. We have developed the D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit to overcome these physical limits.

The signal response challenge

Unlike in-ear headphones, some high-impedance overhead headphones require a large amplitude signal. But the switching speed of MOS FET at the final stage of digital amplification is too slow to follow the ideal signal, shown in blue (1). The actual signal MOS FET can output - because of the restriction caused by the physical limit of the semiconductor - is shown in orange (2). For a non-feedback amplifier such as S-Master HX on the TA-ZH1ES, the difference between ideal and actual signal, shown in grey (3), means amplification error. Our D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit’s feed forward system corrects this error, preserving the unique sound character of non-feedback S-Master HX.

Achieving the ideal wave form

The analog amplifier compares the true signal with the digital amplifier output signal, identifying the error caused by the slow MOS FET switching speed. Then it produces an error correction signal to restore the headphone output signal, preserving the purity of the original sound, and reproducing the signal with absolute precision.

Preserving the feeling

Capturing every note and nuance with DSEE HXTM. Experience your music as the artist intended, in near High-Resolution Audio quality. Our new DSEE HX™ upscaling technology features four additional modes to the standard: female vocal, male vocal, percussion and strings, for optimal sound reproduction.

Convert any source to DSD

Personalizing sound with the new DSD Remastering Engine. Offering double the conversion accuracy of previous models, the new DSD Remastering Engine let you convert all PCM music sources into DSD 11.2 MHz. The technology uses FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) to convert any signal into the DSD sound format.

Advanced FPGA processing

Uncompromised music reproduction. To maximize the potential of the new D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit, our engineers developed the amplifier using an advanced FPGA processor. This let them fully customize the technology and develop something truly unique.

DC Phase Linearizer

Familiar analog-like sound. Our DC Phase Linearizer works to effectively replicate the phase character of a typical analog amplifier. It matches the phase characteristics of the analog amplifier to deliver a more analog-like sound.

Structural integrity means audio precision

The TA-ZH1ES has been precision-crafted from the outside in to maximize audio quality.

Ideal sound isolation

The TA-ZH1ES features a rigid FBW Chassis, which has been designed to isolate the circuit board from vibration. By minimizing vibration and preventing lateral movement, noise is reduced for a cleaner, purer sound.

Eliminating resonance

The headphone amplifier's top panel is made from a combination of steel and aluminum. These materials each have their own resonance frequency, and when used in combination, they suppress each other. The result is the effective elimination of unnecessary resonance.

Rigid and durable

The TA-ZH1ES features an innovative chassis design. The structure of the baseplate supporting the FBW chassis has two layers for enhanced rigidity and a low center of gravity. This added protection and durability enhances sound quality.

Discover the TA-ZH1ES

Learn about the technology and inspiration behind our most premium stationary headphone amplifier.

Supported sound formats

Enjoy up to PCM 32 bit/768 kHz and DSD 22.4 MHz sound formats.

ø0.17" balanced connection jack

ø0.17" single balanced jack is new standard for headphone balance connection. Its clear channel separation offers accurate reproduction and wide sound space.

Input connections

The amp features several terminals to support a variety of input devices, including Walkman®, TVs and PlayStation™ consoles.

Output connections

The amp uses a variety of headphone output connections, including both balanced (0.17", 3-pole mini plug x2 & XLR4) and unbalanced (stereo standard plug, stereo mini plug).

Fill your world with transcendent sound

Discover the Signature Series. Settle for nothing less than immersive excellence with the full range of Signature Series products. Designed for ultimate sound quality, they transcend audio conventions to elevate every note.

The TA-ZH1ES is the Signature Series premium headphone amplifier, designed to achieve a higher level of sound quality through headphone listening.

D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit

New DSEE HX featuring 5 modes

Supports PCM 32bit/768 kHz and DSD 22.4 MHz sound formats

New DSD Remastering Engine

Supports balanced (0.17", 3‐pole mini plug x2, XLR4) and unbalanced (standard plug, stereo mini plug) connections