This new, affordable A-Series Walkman from Sony offers all of the features and technology of their signature devices at a fraction of the cost. It has an S-Master HX digital amplifier designed for low distortion and noise, DSEE Ultimate technology for improved audio fidelity, 360 Reality Audio for immersive soundscapes, Bluetooth support for higher resolution codecs with up to 36 hours of battery life. Here are the details…
New Sony Walkman: The perfect blend of quality and affordability
Sony, which revolutionized the way we consume music with the introduction of the first Walkman in 1979, has now introduced a new affordable high-resolution Walkman. Dubbed the NW-A306, the new A-Series Walkman costs a fraction of the price of the company’s Premium Signature line The device could cost close to four thousand dollars.
The A306 is equipped with an S-Master HX digital amplifier designed for low distortion and noise, and can handle 24-bit/96 kHz PCM audio. It also features Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Ultimate technology, which boosts digital audio for higher fidelity in Wi-Fi streaming Or download and even improve your listening experience with wireless headphones.
Sony also includes its immersive 360 Reality Audio technology and Bluetooth support for high-resolution codecs like LDAC aptX HD and MQA. The unit also has an onboard vinyl processor that brings the warmth and character of vinyl back to your digital tracks.
Users can control playback using physical buttons or the 3.6-inch touch display, and they can take advantage of the cassette user interface and screensaver for a retro vibe. Onboard storage is 32 GB, but it can be expanded via an SD card slot. The device charges via USB-C and has a battery life of up to 36 hours when playing 44.1-kHz FLAC files, 32 hours when playing 96-kHz FLAC files, or 26 hours when streaming.
Overall, the new A-series Walkmans are a pleasant surprise for those who love high-resolution portable audio but don’t want to spend a fortune. It offers many of the high-end features of the company’s flagship device at a fraction of the cost.