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Sony TA-ZH1ES Headphone Amplifier (with DAC) Don't have the remote control anymore but has all other original accessories in box. Selling as absolutely underutilised. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Money Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By Nephorsis 0 Comments AUD $2,350 Date: February 28, 20251 yr
With unknown condition on this used Sony TA-ZH1ES headphone amp listed at AUD 2,350, that's a red flag pushing the price into ambitious territory—well above the AUD 1,719–2,002 range from two recent comparable AUD listings (median AUD 1,860). Even pristine examples rarely exceed AUD 2,000 in the current used market, so unless it's barely used with full provenance, you're overpaying without photos or service history to back it up.
Buyers, verify the ES series' power supply caps first—these can leak or fail after 3–5 years, causing hum or shutdowns; insist on bench-tested output. Confirm the original remote, balanced cables, and manual are included, as replacements are scarce and pricey. Probe usage hours and any ES9038PRO chip mods, which boost value if legit.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
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