Sony - NW-A306
Hi-Res Digital Audio PlayerUnfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔
While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend
Customers praised the exceptional sound quality and compact design, calling it "impeccable" audio experience. Many loved the handy size and premium build. However, several noted the software is "clunky and jittery" with lag, poor battery life (3 hours for hi-res), and slow WiFi. Best for music enthusiasts seeking dedicated playback.
- The audio experience is impeccable, highly recommended.
- Amazing sound quality, good controls...it is exactly what I was hoping for
- Refined, smooth and musical tuning. Absolutely dark background.
Walkmans hold a special place in my heart. Back in 2009, I had an NWZ B135 Walkman, which was the first piece of tech I ever owned, and I used it until 2014. Although it no longer works, I still have it.
I'm really excited to try the new Android-based Walkman.
I'm thrilled and impressed with the sound quality. Thank you, Headphone Zone.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Sony NW-A306 Walkman. We are delighted to hear that it has evoked such fond memories of your past Walkman use.
Sony engineers in fact have done their homework, to provide the most satisfactory experience to the beginner audiophiles. The hardware tricks in fact give the cleanest possible sound. The software sauce options add more spice to that to provide a complete package. What is more exciting that, all these features also work while streaming from apps. Sony music player app works like a chram. All in all, a nice player to have.
Hey there,
This makes us really happy and we really appreciate the genuine feedback! Your review will definitely help fellow audiophiles to make an informed decision.
Reviewing after about a month of use. These days a dedicated player isn't necessary if someone just wants to experience good sound with plethora of portable dac-amps in the market. BUT a dap has its own charm and value when you appreciate the idea of a standalone device that can deliver your music the way you want. So for anyone who's warming up to the idea of a good old music player, the NW A306 is an easy recommend, eyes closed. Without even starting with the sound part, the simple reason being NW A306 is the most compact Android player around. For what it offers, the price is competitive compared to other options in market. It's a well rounded device in design & function and feels sturdy. Sound quality in a word it's refined, a very smooth and musical tuning. Absolutely dark background. Compared to ESS powered LG V30 phone, my only other reference, the Sony gives a bigger soundstage while resolution is similar. Sony adds a film of warmth to the more clinical or dry at times ESS sound. Also the sound is equally mediocre with poor quality mp3s. Apple music lossless works great. For Indian market, the device has no volume cap which is a major gripe with global reviews. Mine came updated with latest firmware that addressed some bass issues. So the device we get here is as sorted as the one for Japan market.
Negatives if any are 1. display is laggy and can't be compared to current phone screens 2. Charging is slow (better life?) and battery though good, drains proportionate to audio file quality or with display on.
To summarise, this avatar is quite the return of the walkman, and it's as iconic as a device an audio lover can get their hands on.
Thanks to Headphonezone for making this available and for the prompt delivery 👍
Thanks a lot for your detailed and genuine feedback, we're glad that you have such positive thoughts about the product and we'll share your thoughts with the brand as well. It'll also help our fellow customers to make the right choice!
Excellent music streaming capabilities, supports lossless codecs
the Sony Walkman A-306 shines through with all things music and acoustics, it needs to catch up with faster performance overall. And I wouldn’t mind a sleeker, fancier-looking device while they’re at it!
We really appreciate the genuine feedback, we'll share your thoughts with the brand as well!
I ordered Sony AW-306 from Headphone Zone (after a long wait, as the product was out of stock) and the product was promptly delivered.
Coming to the product, SONY AW-306 is awesome. It is a starting level product for audiophiles and suits by needs perfectly. The sound enhancement features are truely brilliant, but requires a few high quality songs to be downloaded (from internet). I downloaded a few flacc files and sound was a huge improvement over regular listening devices (phone or simple mp3 players). Also requires a good headphone to pair with. I used a SONY XM3 (borrowed from a friend) to test the sound and I was happy. The sound is great too with a SONY MDR-XB55AP series in-ear headphone (somehow sounds better with the DC phase linearizer). Of course a pro-grade audiophile will not be too happy with this item, but for audio-enthusiasts this is a very good item. The android OS is very smooth (obviously not for playing games) and I could seamlessly use Spotify and Prime music with downloads. Battery life is very good compared to the older version. However, I found trouble connecting to WiFi if I am a little far away from the router (my phone shows 3 bars, whereas SONY AW-306 shows zero bar). However, this is not a deal breaker. Only complain is the non-availability of the balanced output. May be a cost issue.
Overall, a very happy user and thanks to headphone zone for prompt delivery and sending a choice of song list.
PS: looks like it is little difficult to get screen protector or cover for this product in India. Any help will be much appreciated.
No need to go for those chi fi Chinese brand DAPs these 25k walkman is enough. Get an Apple subscription for high res streaming music and get a pair of good IEM or headphone from Sony.. all set. Your audiophile journey starts here. Previously I owned Sony NW-A55 definitely a great improvement in sound, bass response, soundstage imaging and overall dynamics. EDM tracks aounds like you are there in the live performance itself. These set had some issues with lower frequency response but sony fixed it immediately with firmware update. Go go for it! Don't wait
Hey Bijit, thanks a lot for this lovely review and we are glad you are enjoying it! Keep the music playing!
I was looking for a good DAC for quite some time. I didn’t want to spend a bomb so was looking for a budget DAC. The earlier version of sony had battery life issues. This one is decent and I love listening to music with it . The guys at headphone zone are awesome . Thanks to them.
Hey Maahesh, Thank you so much for your awesome review! We're glad that you found a DAC within your budget and that you had an amazing experience with us. Happy listening!
First things first! Thanks to the Headphonezone team for the quick delivery. It has been quite some time since I've seen a hi-res player from such a big brand cost so little and was very curious to see how the NW-A306 performs. Compared to NW-A55, Sony has definitely improved its algorithms to let the player offer more acoustic subtleties and dynamic range.
Hey Srikanth, Thank you so much for the positive feedback! It means a lot to us. We are so happy to hear that you are loving our products and services.
A great ergonomic DAP. Love the physical buttons with indents, you can use them without even seeing the screen.
Experience : Simply awesome. You can only use 3.5 mm jack (no other jacks available) . Cassette Overlay looks awesome :) . I have also used it with Apple Music Lossless Streaming, works fine. (UI becomes a lil cluttery)
Sound Quality: It's an LDAC !
You can also use this player as an external DAC. (it's better than Earmen Eagle I own ; its similar, "more of a personal preference"). In the end its a sub premium Sony product.
Cons : Since it's Android 12, it comes with google bloatware. (Can remove it via ADB or just disable the apps)
Hey Harshit, thank you so much for the awesome review!
The software is a bit clunky and jittery. But the audio experience is impeccable, highly recommended.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for the awesome ratings!
Super team. Wonderful service. Issac from the team gave me appropriate suggestion th choose my first IEM, and I'm now using the sony a306 even while taking my food. 😊 I'm unable to keep the player down. May be I'm addicted.
The price is lesser for the player and IEM than amazon.
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you’re enjoying the product. Your support means the world to us!
The Walkman is A lot of clearly sound, But Starting trouble problem and WIFI connect very slow, But Everything sound good, Very Difference between mobile and walkman, i love this, but get correctly IEM attached.
We’re delighted that you loved the product! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
I recently purchased the Sony NW-A306 Walkman from Headphone Zone, and I couldn't be happier with my experience! I placed my order on Tuesday, as I was set to leave for Poland on Saturday. I reached out to the team requesting an early delivery, and they truly went above and beyond to fulfill their promise. Despite the shipment coming all the way from Chennai to Gurgaon, it arrived on Thursday, well in time for my trip. Incredible service and efficiency! A huge thanks to the Headphone Zone team for their prompt support and seamless experience.
The build quality feels premium, and the sound clarity is exceptional, especially for the price. While the battery life could be better, it still lasted me a solid 8 hours of listening, which is decent for a device of this caliber
Hi there! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review.
agar tumhare paas ek decent IEM or Decent Dac hai to is player ki koi jarurat nahi hai...
isko leke muze ek hi fayda hua ki in hand feeling best hai itna chota hai ki maza hi aa jata hai mere paas fiio btr15 hai muze is player me or usme btr15 best laga...
ise vahi log purchase kare jinko sirf music player chahiye nahi to ek chota device chahiye nahi to aapka kaam ek IEM or DAC se bhi ho jayega or isase badhiya ho jayega.
Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review.
The music quality is quite good. But the processor sucks. It cannot comfortablly run the android os. Lags badly.
Sony - NW-A306
Hey, we appreciate the great ratings!
Why Sony is Special
Designed in Japan
🎖️ Established & Reputed
Trust us, our reputation speaks for itself 🏆!
We believe that when a brand has decades of proven excellence, you can invest with confidence knowing your purchase is backed by years of audio engineering expertise. These products come from manufacturers with extensive histories of innovation and unwavering commitment to sonic excellence. Think of them like luxury watch brands their reputation has been earned through decades of consistent quality and innovation.
With their extensive history of innovation and countless satisfied customers worldwide, you can be confident your investment is backed by proven audio engineering expertise and industry leadership 📈.
When you see "🎖️ Established & Reputed" products, expect time tested excellence from manufacturers who've consistently demonstrated mastery in audio engineering for generations.
🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles
Audiophiles can be really picky 😤, and if the audiophile community says something sounds good, you can bet it's exceptional! We believe that earning audiophile reverence is like getting a standing ovation from music critics it doesn't happen unless you've truly achieved something special. This audio gear has earned widespread acclaim from audiophiles worldwide, a community renowned for exacting standards and unwavering commitment to high fidelity reproduction.
These discerning enthusiasts particularly value its extraordinary precision in sound reproduction and remarkable capability to create thoroughly immersive listening experiences. The audiophile community's endorsement carries significant weight because of their extensive experience with high end equipment 🏆.
When you see "🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles" products, expect audiophile grade excellence that satisfies even the most demanding listeners and consistently exceeds the highest standards.
🌟 Specialist
A masterpiece from experts who know audio inside and out 🔧!
We tend to describe specialist manufacturers as "audio artisans" who focus exclusively on perfecting specific categories of equipment. These products are meticulously crafted by dedicated experts who possess deep knowledge of sound reproduction, ensuring every technical aspect is refined to perfection. Think of them like master craftsmen who spend their entire careers perfecting one specific skill their focused expertise shows in every detail.
These dedicated experts bring years of specialised knowledge to the design process, resulting in products that consistently achieve exceptional performance standards through focused engineering excellence 🎯.
When you see "🌟 Specialist" products, expect focused expertise from manufacturers who dedicate their entire efforts to perfecting specific audio equipment categories.
Born in 1946
Why we love this DAP
🥜 Value for Money
We've found that the best gear isn’t always the most expensive. Some products punch well above their weight and deliver performance that rivals higher priced alternatives. That’s what we mean with the "Value for Money" badge. It’s our way of telling you that you’re getting something special without breaking the bank. 🥜
These products are all about maximum returns for minimal investment. You’re not just saving money you’re gaining an audio experience that exceeds expectations. Whether it’s build quality, tuning, or bundled accessories, these picks overdeliver.
When you see '🥜 Value for Money' products, expect impressive performance at an affordable price, making them a smart pick for budget conscious buyers or first time audiophiles.
🌱 Ideal for Beginners
Lost in the vast world of audio equipment?
Don't worry, we're here to guide you 🤝! We believe that everyone's audiophile journey should start with something approachable and welcoming. These carefully selected products serve as the perfect entry point into high quality sound, specifically chosen to help you navigate through sometimes overwhelming technical options. Think of them as your friendly neighbourhood guide who knows exactly where to start without getting lost in complex specifications.
These products strike an ideal balance between quality and accessibility, featuring user friendly designs and straightforward functionality. They're specifically selected as the perfect starting point for your audiophile journey, offering serious performance without intimidating complexity or premium pricing that might discourage exploration.
When you encounter "🌱 Ideal for Beginners" products, expect approachable excellence these are your stepping stones into the world of premium audio, designed to grow with your developing appreciation for great sound.
🥇 Incredibly Popular
Some things deserve all the attention ⭐!
We've found that when something becomes incredibly popular in the audio world, it's usually for very good reasons. This exceptional audio gear has earned widespread popularity by consistently delivering outstanding performance that resonates with listeners across diverse preferences and experiences. Think of it like that blockbuster movie that everyone loves sometimes, universal appeal indicates genuine quality rather than just marketing hype.
The widespread acclaim isn't just about trend or marketing it's a testament to genuine quality and performance that has been consistently demonstrated through real world usage. This popularity has been earned through merit, delivering reliable satisfaction to countless users 📈.
When you encounter "🥇 Incredibly Popular" products, expect proven excellence validated by the collective experience of satisfied users who've made these their go to choice.
✂️ Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth
We tend to describe Bluetooth audio as wireless freedom with fewer strings attached literally. When you see Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth, it means you can pair your headphones or IEMs with phones, laptops, or even TVs all without reaching for a cable 🎶. It’s convenient, clutter free, and great for everyday listening.
What’s happening behind the scenes is your gear is using Bluetooth codecs like SBC, AAC, LDAC, or aptX to compress and transmit your music wirelessly. Better codecs mean higher quality and lower latency. Of course, there’s a trade off Bluetooth won’t match the quality of wired gear, but today’s advancements have made the gap much smaller than before.
When you see '✂️ Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth' products, expect: tangle free convenience and solid sound quality great for commuting, workouts, or casual listening.
⏳ Battery Life
In our experience, battery life is one of those things that separates a good day from a frustrating one. It's like having a fuel gauge you can rely on longer battery life means less charging and more uninterrupted music. Whether you're on a flight or just commuting across town, this is one spec you don’t want to overlook 🔋.
Technically, battery life refers to the hours your device can play music on a single charge. Today’s headphones and DACs can range from 4 to 40+ hours, depending on things like Bluetooth codec, volume, and active features like ANC. More battery life also means better travel and portability, though it might come at the cost of size or weight.
When you see '⏳ Battery Life' products, expect: longer listening sessions, fewer charging breaks, and stress free portability for music that goes the distance.
🐘 Storage
We tend to think of this like carrying your entire music library in your pocket no cloud, no streaming, no internet required 📀. When you see “Up to 2TB Storage,” you’re looking at gear that lets you store thousands of high res tracks, albums, and even DSD files offline, ready to play anytime.
Now, here’s what’s actually happening: the device features a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 2TB that’s a massive amount of local storage. This is especially valuable for portable audio players and offline listeners who prefer to carry their music in the highest quality formats without compromising space. No buffering, no compression just direct access to your favourite files.
When you see '🐘 Upto 2 TB Storage' products, expect: vast offline music access perfect for DAP lovers, lossless audio fans, or travel heavy audiophiles.
Why it Sounds Amazing
🚀 Power Output
We like to think of power output in audio gear like engine horsepower, it determines how much muscle your setup really has 💪. Whether you’re trying to drive a pair of power hungry planar headphones or just want headroom for dynamic peaks, power output is the spec you want to check first.
Technically, it refers to the amount of electrical power (measured in mW or Watts) an amp or DAC/Amp combo can deliver to your headphones. More power means better control, improved dynamics, and the ability to handle demanding gear without distortion. But more isn’t always better, too much power with sensitive IEMs can introduce hiss or harshness.
When you see '🚀 Power Output' products, expect: strong driving capability, better dynamics, and optimal performance with headphones that need serious juice to shine.
DESCRIPTION
PRESENTING AN ALL-NEW DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER IN SONY'S WALKMAN® A SERIES - THE NW-A306
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Sony Walkman® series is credited with revolutionising the music industry. In 1979, Sony introduced the first cassette-based Walkman. Sony completely transformed the portable music market and altered how people listen to music. Sony is pleased to unveil the NW-A306 in their Walkman® series, an entirely new digital audio player that builds on the company's rich history. It results from the design & development of portable sound. You can enjoy your music wherever you are, thanks to the NW-A306's outstanding sound quality, just as the artist intended. Even the pickiest music fan will find it appealing and portable because of its longer battery life, compact 3.6-inch display, and straightforward downloading and streaming features. With the brand-new and magnificent NW-A306, listen to music with a hint of audiophile-grade sound!
FEATURES S-MASTER HX™ HI-RES AUDIO DIGITAL AMPLIFIER AND HIGH-END COMPONENTS FOR EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO
Sony has incorporated high-end components in the NW-A306 for an enriching listening experience. It features S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, is compatible with the Native DSD format and supports high power output. It reduces distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies for rich and full-bodied sound, further enhanced by new high-quality sound lead-free solder. Sony has upgraded the internal components so that the NW-A306 now has the performance you’d expect from the highest-grade player to give it a dramatic evolution in sound quality. The Sony NW-A306 also hosts a rigid aluminium milled frame that improves audio quality. The premium aluminium milled frame provides superior rigidity for low impedance. It provides clear and stable sound and thunderous bass response. The high-quality film capacitors deliver voltage with a linear response across frequencies resulting in reduced Electromagnetic interference, distortions, and noise. The surface-mounted Fine Sound Resistor ensures effective power distribution to the circuit components for consistent sound quality. This design architecture allows the NW-A306 a perfect bass response that is accurate and clear, and the vocals are soothing.
PERCEIVE MUSIC DIFFERENTLY WITH DSEE ULTIMATE TECHNOLOGY
Sony, with their NW-A306, has mastered unique sound processing technology to enable Hi-Res music playback. Take your digital music collection to another level with Hi-Res audio. By capturing and reproducing digital audio at a higher rate than CD (24-bit/96kHz) and beyond, Hi-Res Audio allows you to get closer to the original studio recording. Experience the natural sound and intense detail of DSD audio formats up to 11.2MHz, thanks to the NW-A300 series' high-quality PCM conversion. Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real-time. Additionally, the advancing algorithm now provides even more advantages for lossless music in CD quality (16-bit 44.1/48kHz). The Sony NW-A306 delivers a richer, more complete listening experience by restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range.
EXPERIENCE HI-RES AUDIO WIRELESSLY WITH BLUETOOTH 5.0 AND 360 REALITY AUDIO
Enjoy Hi-Res Audio quality without wires thanks to LDAC, Sony's premium wireless codec. With 3x the bitrate of standard Bluetooth® technology, you can enjoy a superior listening experience for all your music. Immerse yourself in the audio as if you were at a musical concert or a studio session with the artist. The Sony NW-A306 lets you enjoy 360 Reality Audio. With 360 Reality Audio, music has never been so immersive and life-like. Connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, and you are ready to go with support for Bluetooth codecs like LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC.
ENJOY MUSIC FROM YOUR FAVOURITE STREAMING APPS AND MQA SUPPORT FUSED WITH A VINYL PROCESSOR
The Sony NW-A306 is Wi-Fi® compatible for direct download and streaming. Supported by Android™ and compatible with Wi-Fi®, the NW-A306 offers you even more ways to listen to your music. Enjoy your favourite streaming and music apps on your Walkman® NW-A306, or connect to a PC to access your music collection. It also has an updated DSEE Ultimate for enhancing streaming music quality; you can enjoy DSEE Ultimate for upscaling your music, whether it is Wi-Fi® streamed or downloaded. Now you can also enjoy DSEE Ultimate with wireless headphones. The Sony NW-A306 Walkman® also includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files. Give the warmth and character of vinyl back to your digital tracks. Enjoy reproduction of the low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resistance and surface noise to deliver an authentic listening experience.
NOTE: To know more about MQA and how it improves or enhances the listening experience, refer to the FAQ section.
ELEGANT TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY AND LONGER BATTERY LIFE FOR UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING
The 3.6-inch display gives you easier access to your music without compromising comfort. With the Walkman® Home Screen, you can customise the home display to suit your needs. With longer battery life, you can immerse yourself in more of your music, with up to 36 hours of 44.1KHz FLAC playback, up to 32 hours* of 96 kHz FLAC Hi-Res Audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with using the music service app. The NW-A300 series features a USB Type-C™ port for quick charging and easy connectivity with a range of devices. With 32GB integrated memory and an SD card slot, the NW-A300 series Walkman lets you take music collections on the go.
EYE-CATCHING RIPPLED WAVE DESIGN WITH CASSETTE TAPE UI AND SINGLE-ENDED HEADPHONE OUTPUT
The Sony NW-A306 has a classic design that elevates the look and feel of this beautiful Digital Audio Player. With the comfort and function of both a 3.6-inch touch screen and tactile physical music controls, the NW-A300 series is dedicated to delivering exceptional music experiences right from your pocket. An eye-catching rippled wave design covers the rear of the unit, which looks stylish and provides a better grip. As a playful nod to the Portable music revolution, Sony began with the iconic TPS-L2. The NW-A300 series features a cassette tape user interface and screensaver. The cassette tape visual appearing on your Walkman® display varies depending on the codec of the music you’re playing. As for the headphone outputs, the NW-A306 offers a 3.5mm Single-Ended headphone output for easy connectivity and compatibility.
SPECS
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) | Approx. 56.5 mm x 98.4 mm x 11.8 mm |
| WEIGHT | Approx. 113 g |
| WI-FI | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| FREQUENCY BAND | 2.4/5 GHz |
| BATTERY LIFE - CONTINUOUS PLAYBACK MUSIC (W.MUSIC APP) | MP3 (128kbps) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 36 hrs, FLAC (96kHz / 24bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 32 hrs, FLAC (192kHz / 24bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 32 hrs, DSD (2.8224MHz / tit) / Stereo mini- jack: Approx. 28 hrs, DSD (5.6448MHz / 1bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 22 hrs, DSD (11.2896MHz / Abit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 14 hrs |
| BATTERY LIFE - CONTINUOUS PLAYBACK MUSIC (OTHER MUSIC APP) | MP3 (128kbps, offline mode) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx.26 hrs |
| BATTERY LIFE - BLUETOOTH (TRANSMITTER MODE) | MP3 (128kbps) / SBC-Connection pref: Approx.22 hrs |
| BATTERY LIFE - BLUETOOTH (TRANSMITTER MODE) | MP3 (128kbps) / SBC-Connection pref: Approx.18 hrs |
| CHARGING TIME (FULL CHARGE) | Approx. 3.5 hrs |
| BUILT-IN BATTERY | Rechargeable lithium-ion Battery |
| CHARGING AND POWER SUPPLY | USB power (from a computer via a USB) |
| MEMORY SIZE | 32 GB *Actual available memory 18 GB |
| MUSIC PLAY MODE | Shuffle Playback Repeat Off,Repeat 1 Song,Repeat All All Range,Selected Range |
| SOUND EFFECTS | Direct Source (Direct) 10 Band equalizer, DSEE Ultimate, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer,ClearAudio+,Vinyl Processor |
| AUDIO PLAYBACK | MP3: 32 - 320kbps (supports VBR) / 32, 44.1, 48kHz, WMA: 32-320kbps (supports variable bitrate(VBR) / 44.1kHz (STEREO) 32-48kbps / 44.1kHz (MONO) , FLAC: 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz, WAV: 16, 24, 32bit (Float / Integer) / 8-384kHz, AAC: 16-320kbps / 8-48kHz, HE-AAC: 32-144kbps / 8-48kHz, Apple Lossless: 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz, AIFF: 16, 24, 32bit / 8-384kHz, DSD: bit / 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896 MHz, APE: 8, 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz (Fast, Normal, High) , MQA: Supported |
| DISPLAY RESOLUTION | 9.1 cm (3.6-inch) HD (1280 x 720 Pixels) |
| DISPLAY TYPE | TET colour display with white LED-backlight |
| DRAG AND DROP | Yes |
| MUSIC SEARCHING METHODS | All Songs Artist Release Year, Playlists Album, Genre, Composer, Hi-Res, Recent Transfers, Folder, Cue sheet |
| FREQUENCY | 20–40,000 Hz |
| POWER OUTPUT (JEITA 16Ω/mW) | 35mW+35mW |
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Android 12 |
| TERMINALS | Terminals USB: Type-C (USB3.2 Gent compliant), Headphone: Stereo mini-jack,External memory: MicroSD MicroSDHC MicroSDXC |
| WIRELESS CAPABILITIES | Wireless Capabilities Communication system: Bluetooth Specification Version 5.0,NFC: No,Supported Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, OPP, DID, Supported Codecs (Transmission): SBC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC, Supported Codecs (Reception): No |
| TALKBACK | Yes |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. Sony NW-A306 |
| 2. USB Type-C Cable(USB-A - USB-C) (1) | |
| 3. Operating Instructions | |
| 4. Reference Guide |
PRESENTING AN ALL-NEW DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER IN SONY'S WALKMAN® A SERIES - THE NW-A306
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Sony Walkman® series is credited with revolutionising the music industry. In 1979, Sony introduced the first cassette-based Walkman. Sony completely transformed the portable music market and altered how people listen to music. Sony is pleased to unveil the NW-A306 in their Walkman® series, an entirely new digital audio player that builds on the company's rich history. It results from the design & development of portable sound. You can enjoy your music wherever you are, thanks to the NW-A306's outstanding sound quality, just as the artist intended. Even the pickiest music fan will find it appealing and portable because of its longer battery life, compact 3.6-inch display, and straightforward downloading and streaming features. With the brand-new and magnificent NW-A306, listen to music with a hint of audiophile-grade sound!
FEATURES S-MASTER HX™ HI-RES AUDIO DIGITAL AMPLIFIER AND HIGH-END COMPONENTS FOR EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO
Sony has incorporated high-end components in the NW-A306 for an enriching listening experience. It features S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, is compatible with the Native DSD format and supports high power output. It reduces distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies for rich and full-bodied sound, further enhanced by new high-quality sound lead-free solder. Sony has upgraded the internal components so that the NW-A306 now has the performance you’d expect from the highest-grade player to give it a dramatic evolution in sound quality. The Sony NW-A306 also hosts a rigid aluminium milled frame that improves audio quality. The premium aluminium milled frame provides superior rigidity for low impedance. It provides clear and stable sound and thunderous bass response. The high-quality film capacitors deliver voltage with a linear response across frequencies resulting in reduced Electromagnetic interference, distortions, and noise. The surface-mounted Fine Sound Resistor ensures effective power distribution to the circuit components for consistent sound quality. This design architecture allows the NW-A306 a perfect bass response that is accurate and clear, and the vocals are soothing.
PERCEIVE MUSIC DIFFERENTLY WITH DSEE ULTIMATE TECHNOLOGY
Sony, with their NW-A306, has mastered unique sound processing technology to enable Hi-Res music playback. Take your digital music collection to another level with Hi-Res audio. By capturing and reproducing digital audio at a higher rate than CD (24-bit/96kHz) and beyond, Hi-Res Audio allows you to get closer to the original studio recording. Experience the natural sound and intense detail of DSD audio formats up to 11.2MHz, thanks to the NW-A300 series' high-quality PCM conversion. Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real-time. Additionally, the advancing algorithm now provides even more advantages for lossless music in CD quality (16-bit 44.1/48kHz). The Sony NW-A306 delivers a richer, more complete listening experience by restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range.
EXPERIENCE HI-RES AUDIO WIRELESSLY WITH BLUETOOTH 5.0 AND 360 REALITY AUDIO
Enjoy Hi-Res Audio quality without wires thanks to LDAC, Sony's premium wireless codec. With 3x the bitrate of standard Bluetooth® technology, you can enjoy a superior listening experience for all your music. Immerse yourself in the audio as if you were at a musical concert or a studio session with the artist. The Sony NW-A306 lets you enjoy 360 Reality Audio. With 360 Reality Audio, music has never been so immersive and life-like. Connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, and you are ready to go with support for Bluetooth codecs like LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC.
ENJOY MUSIC FROM YOUR FAVOURITE STREAMING APPS AND MQA SUPPORT FUSED WITH A VINYL PROCESSOR
The Sony NW-A306 is Wi-Fi® compatible for direct download and streaming. Supported by Android™ and compatible with Wi-Fi®, the NW-A306 offers you even more ways to listen to your music. Enjoy your favourite streaming and music apps on your Walkman® NW-A306, or connect to a PC to access your music collection. It also has an updated DSEE Ultimate for enhancing streaming music quality; you can enjoy DSEE Ultimate for upscaling your music, whether it is Wi-Fi® streamed or downloaded. Now you can also enjoy DSEE Ultimate with wireless headphones. The Sony NW-A306 Walkman® also includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files. Give the warmth and character of vinyl back to your digital tracks. Enjoy reproduction of the low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resistance and surface noise to deliver an authentic listening experience.
NOTE: To know more about MQA and how it improves or enhances the listening experience, refer to the FAQ section.
ELEGANT TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY AND LONGER BATTERY LIFE FOR UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING
The 3.6-inch display gives you easier access to your music without compromising comfort. With the Walkman® Home Screen, you can customise the home display to suit your needs. With longer battery life, you can immerse yourself in more of your music, with up to 36 hours of 44.1KHz FLAC playback, up to 32 hours* of 96 kHz FLAC Hi-Res Audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with using the music service app. The NW-A300 series features a USB Type-C™ port for quick charging and easy connectivity with a range of devices. With 32GB integrated memory and an SD card slot, the NW-A300 series Walkman lets you take music collections on the go.
EYE-CATCHING RIPPLED WAVE DESIGN WITH CASSETTE TAPE UI AND SINGLE-ENDED HEADPHONE OUTPUT
The Sony NW-A306 has a classic design that elevates the look and feel of this beautiful Digital Audio Player. With the comfort and function of both a 3.6-inch touch screen and tactile physical music controls, the NW-A300 series is dedicated to delivering exceptional music experiences right from your pocket. An eye-catching rippled wave design covers the rear of the unit, which looks stylish and provides a better grip. As a playful nod to the Portable music revolution, Sony began with the iconic TPS-L2. The NW-A300 series features a cassette tape user interface and screensaver. The cassette tape visual appearing on your Walkman® display varies depending on the codec of the music you’re playing. As for the headphone outputs, the NW-A306 offers a 3.5mm Single-Ended headphone output for easy connectivity and compatibility.
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) | Approx. 56.5 mm x 98.4 mm x 11.8 mm |
| WEIGHT | Approx. 113 g |
| WI-FI | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| FREQUENCY BAND | 2.4/5 GHz |
| BATTERY LIFE - CONTINUOUS PLAYBACK MUSIC (W.MUSIC APP) | MP3 (128kbps) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 36 hrs, FLAC (96kHz / 24bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 32 hrs, FLAC (192kHz / 24bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 32 hrs, DSD (2.8224MHz / tit) / Stereo mini- jack: Approx. 28 hrs, DSD (5.6448MHz / 1bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 22 hrs, DSD (11.2896MHz / Abit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 14 hrs |
| BATTERY LIFE - CONTINUOUS PLAYBACK MUSIC (OTHER MUSIC APP) | MP3 (128kbps, offline mode) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx.26 hrs |
| BATTERY LIFE - BLUETOOTH (TRANSMITTER MODE) | MP3 (128kbps) / SBC-Connection pref: Approx.22 hrs |
| BATTERY LIFE - BLUETOOTH (TRANSMITTER MODE) | MP3 (128kbps) / SBC-Connection pref: Approx.18 hrs |
| CHARGING TIME (FULL CHARGE) | Approx. 3.5 hrs |
| BUILT-IN BATTERY | Rechargeable lithium-ion Battery |
| CHARGING AND POWER SUPPLY | USB power (from a computer via a USB) |
| MEMORY SIZE | 32 GB *Actual available memory 18 GB |
| MUSIC PLAY MODE | Shuffle Playback Repeat Off,Repeat 1 Song,Repeat All All Range,Selected Range |
| SOUND EFFECTS | Direct Source (Direct) 10 Band equalizer, DSEE Ultimate, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer,ClearAudio+,Vinyl Processor |
| AUDIO PLAYBACK | MP3: 32 - 320kbps (supports VBR) / 32, 44.1, 48kHz, WMA: 32-320kbps (supports variable bitrate(VBR) / 44.1kHz (STEREO) 32-48kbps / 44.1kHz (MONO) , FLAC: 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz, WAV: 16, 24, 32bit (Float / Integer) / 8-384kHz, AAC: 16-320kbps / 8-48kHz, HE-AAC: 32-144kbps / 8-48kHz, Apple Lossless: 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz, AIFF: 16, 24, 32bit / 8-384kHz, DSD: bit / 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896 MHz, APE: 8, 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz (Fast, Normal, High) , MQA: Supported |
| DISPLAY RESOLUTION | 9.1 cm (3.6-inch) HD (1280 x 720 Pixels) |
| DISPLAY TYPE | TET colour display with white LED-backlight |
| DRAG AND DROP | Yes |
| MUSIC SEARCHING METHODS | All Songs Artist Release Year, Playlists Album, Genre, Composer, Hi-Res, Recent Transfers, Folder, Cue sheet |
| FREQUENCY | 20–40,000 Hz |
| POWER OUTPUT (JEITA 16Ω/mW) | 35mW+35mW |
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Android 12 |
| TERMINALS | Terminals USB: Type-C (USB3.2 Gent compliant), Headphone: Stereo mini-jack,External memory: MicroSD MicroSDHC MicroSDXC |
| WIRELESS CAPABILITIES | Wireless Capabilities Communication system: Bluetooth Specification Version 5.0,NFC: No,Supported Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, OPP, DID, Supported Codecs (Transmission): SBC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC, Supported Codecs (Reception): No |
| TALKBACK | Yes |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. Sony NW-A306 |
| 2. USB Type-C Cable(USB-A - USB-C) (1) | |
| 3. Operating Instructions | |
| 4. Reference Guide |
Don't sweat it, this
Sony - NW-A306 comes with a 1 Year warranty
from Sony that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about Sony's warranty in India.
"Sony’s S-Master HX digital amp and native DSD (Direct Stream Digital codec) support, Sony claims this will let the NW-A306 offer significantly better audio, with less distortion and noise, than most flagship smartphones."
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"Firstly, you’re assured of uninterrupted music while you’re scrolling on the phone next to you. Spotify, Instagram, TikTok and other time-wasters can scroll before your eyes while music streams from the music player next to you."
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"Sony has loaded an AI-assisted version of its proprietary DSEE software into the NW-A306’s Bluetooth playback engine, which aims to restore lossy compressed audio files (like MP3) to their former lossless glory"
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"Sony unveils a new Walkman with enhanced sound quality, longer battery life and a lower price tag. A much more affordable incarnation of the new streaming Sony Walkman, the iconic name lives on!"
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Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Still have questions? Talk to our Headphone Gurus.
What is the battery life like on the NW-A306?
What are the various Bluetooth codecs supported?
How much in-built memory does the NW-A306 have to offer?
What are the various headphone outputs offered?
What is the output power like on Sony NW-A306?
What is the OS version like on NW-A306?
What are the sampling/decoding rates supported?
How much time does it take to charge the device?