TechAudioI’d buy this Walkman in a flash, if I ever left the houseSony’s NW-A306 is a gorgeous hi-res audio player with superb battery lifeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioI’d buy this Walkman in a flash, if I ever left the houseSony’s NW-A306 is a gorgeous hi-res audio player with superb battery lifeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Sony’s NW-A306 is a gorgeous hi-res audio player with superb battery life
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
If you’re looking for the perfect partner for thebest true wireless earbudsorbest headphones,Sonyhas the gadget for you. Its latest Network Walkman, the NW-A306, is a beautiful-looking hi-res audio player with up to 36 hours battery life when you listen to uncompressed CD audio - and it also has Sony’s DSEE Ultimate upsampling to make your existing audio tracks sound even better.
I’ve got a soft spot for the Walkman: I still miss my Sony Ericsson Walkman phone, which was miles ahead of the competition in its day, and the early Network Walkmans sounded better thanApple’s iPod. And if I ever left the house, the NW-A306 is the Walkman I’d want to take with me on my commute or on other travels.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
What’s so great about this Sony Walkman?
In a word: quality. The NW-A306 has Sony’s S-Master HX digital amp, which was made specifically for Walkman devices and works with the high resolution DSD format. It’s designed to reduce distortion and noise across multiple frequencies to deliver a truer audio experience without unwanted artefacts. You won’t notice the difference on cheap earbuds but if you’re driving a decent set of headphones your audio experience should be much improved.
One of the big improvements here is in the DSEE Ultimate upsampling, which can upscale music via wired or wireless connections from 16-bit CD-quality audio files to make them sound even higher resolution. There’s LDAC to get the best from headphones such as theSony WH-1000XM5, and it can stream over Wi-Fi to get high-res audio from your favourite streaming apps.
Last but not least, there’s a whopping 36 hours between charges. Running in hi-res audio only reduces that a little bit – you’ll get up to 32 hours of 92kHz FLAC – and even streaming delivers 26 hours of uninterrupted playback between charges.
Expect to pay around £350 / €400 when the NW-A306 goes on sale later this month.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
TOPICSapplesony
TOPICS
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Sony’s next-gen affordable earbuds have leaked, and the difference is clearThe successor to the Sony WF-C700N has turned up in an official database with a very un-Sony design
The successor to the Sony WF-C700N has turned up in an official database with a very un-Sony design
A new Apple TV 4K box is reportedly coming, it’s just a matter of whenWhat will it offer though and will it change design?
What will it offer though and will it change design?
Apple’s affordable iPad set for major speed boost and Apple IntelligenceIt’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
It’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
Apple already sells a device thinner than the rumoured iPhone 17 AirThe slimming world of Apple
The slimming world of Apple
Apple MacBook Pro set for its biggest upgrade in many yearsIt’s great news for Apple fans
It’s great news for Apple fans
PS Portal gets a stealthy upgrade, now I’m finally going to have to buy oneThe handheld now comes in a stunning black
The handheld now comes in a stunning black
Sony XYN Headset could be an Apple Vision Pro killer, but only for a select fewA new mixed reality headset is coming from Sony
A new mixed reality headset is coming from Sony
Apple iPhone could get a major camera boost… thanks to SamsungYou’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
You’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
