Sony - MAP-S1 Multimedia Player with High-Res Support, Bluetooth, Network and CD Functions – Tested and Audio component

This is the Sony MAP-S1 multimedia player system. It is a versatile audio component capable of playing various media formats and is equipped with support for High-Resolution Audio, as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networking capabilities. Although it is a slightly older model (manufactured in 2015), it was a flagship unit that won major audio awards upon its release. It has undergone basic servicing and all functions have been verified, though there are some cosmetic scratches. Included accessories are the remote control, instruction manual (printed PDF version), USB cable (Type A/B), simple FM antenna (replacement), and a separate power cord. The remote control is the compact version from the related CMT series, and the power cord is a brand-new, generic replacement equivalent to the original. Key features are as follows (sourced from the manufacturer's website):

■ Supports 192kHz/24-bit High-Resolution Audio; enables wireless playback of high-res sources.
■ Equipped with the "S-Master HX" digital amplifier, designed for High-Resolution Audio playback.
■ Features "DSEE HX" technology, which upscales compressed and CD-quality audio to high-resolution quality.
■ Wi-Fi compatible; allows wireless playback of music from network-connected devices throughout the home.

This model features a simple silver body with a premium look, utilizing aluminum for both the top and front panels. True to Sony's style, it is a multifunctional system capable of playing audio from various sources—such as CDs, USB drives, and smartphones—and allows you to enjoy High-Resolution Audio that surpasses CD quality. Connecting to the internet enables playback of music from home network servers (such as PCs) and streaming via services like radiko. By installing the dedicated app (Music Center) on your smartphone, you can control the system, including network functions, directly from your phone.

Regarding its physical condition, there are faint scuffs and several small dents on the top panel, with noticeable scuffing on the NFC panel. Additionally, a somewhat conspicuous scratch on the lower rear edge of one side panel has been touched up. There are also faint scuffs on the back of the remote control. Please take note of these cosmetic imperfections if appearance is a priority for you. The included mini remote control allows for basic operations such as power, volume, function switching, and menu navigation. Since the labels are in Japanese, it is relatively easy to use.


This unit has been serviced by an individual; the work included servicing the CD loading mechanism and pickup drive assembly, cleaning the CD pickup, and cleaning the interior and exterior. I have connected it to my own speakers and confirmed that all functions operate without issues.


The DAC — Burr-Brown PCM1795

The converter is the specification that matters here, and it is not the one you expect at this level. Sony fitted the Burr-Brown PCM1795, a chip normally found in standalone high-end amplifiers rather than in compact all-in-one systems.

It runs two different filter architectures depending on what you feed it: an analogue FIR filter for DSD playback, and advanced segment conversion for PCM. That is a deliberate engineering choice — DSD and PCM are fundamentally different encoding methods, and converting them optimally requires different circuits, not one circuit doing both adequately.

Hi-Res and DSD support

PCM up to 192kHz/24bit — roughly three times the information of CD at 96kHz/24bit
DSD 2.8MHz/1bit — the SACD format, in DSF and DSDIFF
Playback from USB drive, networked PC, Hi-Res Walkman or Xperia

S-Master HX digital amplifier

Sony's own full-digital amplifier technology, re-engineered for high-resolution formats. The signal stays digital from source to the output stage, eliminating the analogue pre-amplification stages where noise and distortion normally accumulate. S-Master HX specifically improved noise rejection in the extended frequency band that hi-res files occupy — the range where conventional amplifiers contribute noise that was not in the recording.

DSEE HX — for the CDs you already own

This is the feature that justifies the unit for most owners. DSEE HX upscales CD audio (44.1kHz/16bit) and compressed files to 192kHz/24bit equivalent, reconstructing the high-frequency information that sampling and compression discarded.

The practical effect: an existing CD collection and years of ripped MP3s get played back at hi-res resolution without rebuying anything. The disc drive is built in, so the CDs go straight in the front.

Power supply and chassis

Low-iron-loss EI core transformers, separately installed for the amplifier and the digital circuitry — isolating the digital section's noise from the analogue path
Core materials and varnish selected specifically for sound quality, with vacuum impregnation to eliminate mechanical resonance in the transformer windings
1mm-thick high-rigidity chassis — a structural specification, controlling vibration that would otherwise reach the disc mechanism and the circuit boards

Connectivity

Wi-Fi built in — network streaming and internet radio
Wired LAN port — recommended for hi-res streaming, where wireless bandwidth can drop out
Bluetooth with NFC — one-touch pairing from a phone
USB Type-B (rear) — USB-DAC input; the unit becomes an external DAC for a computer
USB Type-A (front) — direct playback and charging from USB drives and Walkman
3.5mm headphone output (front)
FM / AM tuner, including Wide FM

Specifications

Model: MAP-S1
Type: Multi Audio Player System
DAC: Burr-Brown PCM1795
Amplifier: S-Master HX full-digital
Formats: PCM to 192kHz/24bit; DSD 2.8MHz/1bit (DSF, DSDIFF)
Upscaling: DSEE HX to 192kHz/24bit equivalent
Disc: CD, CD-R/RW, MP3
Network: Wi-Fi, wired LAN
Wireless: Bluetooth with NFC
Power: AC 100V, 50/60Hz (Japan domestic specification)
Awards: Visual Grand Prix 2017 SUMMER and 2018 SUMMER, Lifestyle category

Included

MAP-S1 main unit
Remote control (RM-AMU199)
USB cable
Power cord
Instruction manual and quick start guide (Japanese)

Two notes

Bluetooth cannot carry hi-res — the bandwidth is insufficient. Use USB, LAN or Wi-Fi for high-resolution playback. This is a limitation of the Bluetooth standard rather than of this unit.

This is a Japan domestic model running on AC 100V. Buyers outside Japan will need a step-down transformer. Menu language options should be confirmed before purchase if Japanese-language display would be an obstacle.



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