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Sony TA-ZH1ES Headphone Amplifier (with DAC) One of the best Sony DAC/AMPs.Selling without the remote control (can't find it). Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Money Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By Nephorsis 0 Comments Secure Ad AUD $2,000 Date: January 4Jan 4
The used Sony TA-ZH1ES headphone amp market in Australia sits firmly in the AUD 1,700–2,000 band, with recent comps showing a median of AUD 1,860, 25th percentile at AUD 1,719, and 75th at AUD 2,002. This AUD 2,000 asking price lands right at the top end—ambitious for unknown condition, especially without usage hours or service history disclosed. It's not a steal, but fair if the unit's pristine and fully kitted; otherwise, negotiate down toward median territory.
Buyers, prioritise verifying the amp's digital inputs and balanced outputs function flawlessly—early units can develop noisy USB-DAC sections from capacitor wear after 3–5 years. Insist on the original remote, power cable, and manual; missing bits tank resale. Test with your cans for any hum or channel imbalance before committing.
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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