SONY HAP1Z as alternative player/streamer to DAC

The Sony HAPZ1 can be used with an external DAC (if you didn’t know) and it occurred to me is a great value player/server as an alternative to the other ones available. This has already been written about, not new news, but I thought I would share my experience.
I recently got into my first stand alone DAC (Bryston), mainly to upgrade from the DAC in my OPPO 205 and because it can take DSD from SACDs played on the OPPO also. At this point I put my SONY in the box (I preferred both the OPPO and Bryston, sound-wise). I wasn’t sure what I would do with the SONY. I’ve seen a bunch for sale over the last few years on A’gon for about $1k. I figured a lot of people wouldn’t be interested in what is now somewhat older technology (or at least perceived that way) and a used device that has a HDD in it (susceptible to degradation -moving parts, storage, etc.) especially when storage now is getting cheaper and cheaper anyway.

Fast forward a couple months of enjoying the Bryston/OPPO combo - I started wondering if an outboard player
(like Aurender 100 or Bryston BDP) would be a better option. The OPPO works pretty well, but I am streaming
wireless from a NAS and it often drops out, especially on hi-rez files. You can hook up a HDD to the OPPO and play those files, but then you have a louder drive in the room. Also, you have to have
a TV hooked up to the OPPO to see the files and use the remote control/TV as your interface. As an interface, it is not as friendly as some of the i-phone/android apps available for music players and like the SONY’s. These alternative players start getting in to the $3-4k range. Some have called them "glorified computers" which I agree with to a large degree. When you buy one of these you are basically paying for the interface it offers to browse and play files and flexibility it may offer (various output formats, etc.). For me, buying one would be a way to have a nicer interface with file management and possibly (?) better sound. Then I heard the SONY could send a signal (DSD included!) via its USB output, which I had not known. And it already has a pretty quiet internal HDD and a user interface. It also converts all PCM to DSD (defeatable) and has other sound processing (its ’DSEE’ engine - also defeatable). It also has a nice methodology to transfer files to itself (automatically). And a 5-year warranty! It occurred to me (especially since I already had one) that this was a cheap alternative to buying a new dedicated music player/streamer. And at $1k used frequently available on A’gon, it seemed like a good alternative, especially since these other players seem to lose value pretty quickly with constant upgrades and new models. Yes, the SONY only has one USB output. But otherwise (in addition to its own abilities anyway as a stand-alone player) what a great used value this is for someone looking for a player, even as a temporary option awaiting new technology, or just while considering long term options. I just started trying it out, so far it sounds just fine. I will be listening some more to see if there is much audible difference in the playback.