The Walkman became an iconic symbol of setting music free, moving it from a record player or bulky tape player into something that was personal and portable. It also separates its analog and digital circuitry and includes a “dual clock circuit with low phase noise quarts oscillator”.
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Sony’s revision of the Walkman – which many music-lovers already consider to be of superior quality – is targeting audiophiles, who, with high-end headphones, would be able to notice the slight sound quality improvements, The Verge reported. Apart from audio products, Sony also introduced two new Xperia smartphones at its pre-IFA 2016 keynote event in Berlin, Germany.
Realistically, most people probably won’t hear the difference between that model and the almost identical-looking $1,200 (£1,000) NW-WM1A Walkman.
Additionally, the new ZH1ES supports the vast majority of Hi-Res music formats, including the highest resolution native DSD and PCM recordings. Both models feature a new touch panel UI, and are generally similar feature-wise, though the WM1Z seems to use much higher-grade components internally, and Sony says its the first to be built using high-quality Kimber Kable.
None of this lineup is especially cheap. Paired with Sony’s new MDR-Z1R premium headphones also announced today, the result is sublime. The NW-WM1Z Walkman has a MSRP of $3,200, while the NW-WM1A is the least expensive of the bunch at $1,200.
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There’s a black version of the Walkman, but its the gold-plated device which naturally catches the eye.
