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Sometimes I enjoy talking about my favorite products. When you spend most of your day complaining about this or that, it’s refreshing to finally get excited about a quality device that won’t disappoint a chronic cynic like me. Please ask someone. I love music and love sharing my discoveries, but so far Spotify (my streaming app of choice) still doesn’t offer HD audio. Sure, there are other streaming services out there, but I only started collecting records last year and have a huge digital library that I manage, built over decades from my physical CD collection. I still feel nostalgic for the old days. Most of those files are long gone, but I’ve since built up a robust library of his FLAC from records purchased on Bandcamp. Obviously, a dedicated player was required to properly process this audio. That’s where Sony’s NW-A306 Walkman comes into play.
Android DAP is lame
Especially Sony NW-A306 Walkman
Having worked in the Android coverage field, I was well aware of the growing popularity of digital audio players (also known as DAPs). Because many of them are running Android. The Sony NW-A306 Walkman is one such device, and unlike many DAPs, it starts at a fairly affordable price of $350. So, as a fan of his Android since the first device, there’s no way I’d miss this DAP scene that grows with Android. Well, that couldn’t be done, so to restart his musical journey of completely building a huge local digital library, he ran to Amazon and bought himself a NW-A306, a memory card, and some worthy in-ear monitors ( I bought an IEM (also known as an IEM). This time under my control, it has an HD audio device that none of my phones can match (unless I connect his 3rd party DAC). This is very similar to how iPods were used back then. I admit it was a nostalgia-driven trip, but it was worth it and I would like to share my experience with you. Returning to a dedicated audio device for my songs just feels right.
Best DAC for Android in 2024
Pocket HiFi is better than ever
That’s not to say the Sony NW-A306 is a perfect device. Not really, but it certainly gets the job done with little effort. Furthermore, the feeling of carrying around a Walkman is still the same as it was in the 80’s. Sony acknowledged our nostalgia with the device’s screensaver, a screen saver that features a video of an audio tape playing on the screen and the band name and song name on the tape’s label. This was the cute addition that sealed the deal for me. The Walkman lives in the present yet recognizes the past and meets your HD audio needs.
What’s really cool about the NW-A306 is the fact that it runs Android and has access to the Play Store. And guess what? The Play Store is full of HD audio players, including apps like Poweramp. You’ll no longer have access to the tape deck screensaver associated with Sony’s default audio player, but apps like Poweramp will give you access to EQ settings that drill down into your particular IEM or headphones. I’m not kidding when I say that the Linsoul 7HZ Timeless AE IEM I purchased had multiple His EQ settings (similar to Wavelet) within Poweramp specifically tailored to its capabilities. If you turn on Sony’s ClearAudio+ playback before turning on Poweramp’s specific EQ settings, the sound becomes pretty magical. I’m probably too excited because this is my first experience with a pair of IEMs with HD audio and value, but the truth is that with the premium pair, I can’t hear anything on my phone or desktop. Hear the sounds of your favorite tracks. Grado can.
nothing is perfect
But there are still many things I like
Of course, having done my research before taking the plunge, there are definite pitfalls to the NW-A306 to be aware of. Sony limited volume levels in all countries except Japan for incredibly strange reasons (well, not so strange, but in countries where they feel they have to treat their consumers like children) There are laws regarding volume levels). I didn’t find this to be an issue with powering my particular he IEM, but if you have headphones that require a lot of power to get loud, try Sony’s Volume Level fluctuations can be frustrating. Of course, if you really think you need your device to work at full power, you can also look for the Japanese version of his DAP on eBay or Amazon. Still, if Sony wants to give everyone the full experience, it’s possible Sony could unlock the bootloader and lift the volume cap on their own without worrying about breaking the law. It will be. I won’t hold my breath.
Although the volume levels are limited, I think the NW-A306 sounds great. Of course, a good pair of headphones will help, but if you’re buying a DAP, you’ll want to pair it with headphones that can handle its weight.
Best over-ear headphones of 2024
Experience pure listening bliss with these over-ear headphones
All in all, I’m really happy with my Sony NW-A306 Walkman. This is the perfect entry point to DAPs, made by a company that’s been making portable audio devices for probably longer than you’ve been alive. From reel-to-reel to record players, tape decks, CD players, minidiscs, and MP3 players, Sony has been in this field for a long time. When using NW-A306, I have to say that this shines the brightest. . I feel that it is an audio device that is truly worthy of the name Walkman. There’s a lot to be said for a dedicated device that does one job well. I would have liked to see more on the Android Market. More companies need to follow Sony’s lead in this regard.
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