I have used tried an Auralic Vega DAC, Esoteric N-05 Streamer/DAC, a Bryston BDA-3 DAC, and am now using a Mytek Brooklyn DAC with the Sony HAP-Z1 in my home office. I think all the DACs sounded better than the internal HAP-Z1 DAC. Having said that, YMMV.
Using an ouboard DAC with SONY HAPZ1ES
I have a Sony HAPZ1ES, and want to try using an outboard DAC (using the USB). I was thinking about the Ayre Codex because it can decode both PCM and DSD, which are the files stored on tbe Sony. Anyone try this DAC with the Sony, or any other DACs? I was also thinking about the Border Patrol (I’m more of an analog guy, although tbe BP wont be able to play my DSD files. Not a huge deal.)