To be fair, it's not Sony's fault. Not that they could not have added a Firewire/USB3/HDMI/USB-C/Thunderbolt port to move files outside the network framework. Would have been worlds faster, and left the network side out of it.
There are many things Sony could do better. Their tech support is atrocious, and they create new (and innovative) formats, then let them die on the vine. I own several ES components, and like them quite a bit. I have a top-end ES Minidisc deck (~$1500) that recently died after no more than 100 hours of play time. Parts no longer available to fix it. I also have an el cheapo Sony minidisc deck that was bottom of the line, but still chugging happily along like gangbusters. So go figure.
I agree about the Roon and Tidal. Should be a piece of cake to implement either. I'll have to say, though, that Sony has made quite a few functional upgrades to the Z1ES. That has probably been their most supported model as in the last few years.
Fortunately, I have an older Mac Mini laying around so hopefully I can kluge it together to move some music onto the Z1ES.
gregor