So this is the supposed ZX2 which I mentioned a while back. Looks like micro-SD card support will also tag along from the new A-Series. I am glad it retains the physical controls. The device hit the FCC last year in November and is expected to debut at CES 2015. Question is, will it first hit Japan or North America? The FCC filing was using NW and now NWZ.
UPDATE
A teaser image, the text translates to see you next year, probably implying CES. Also gadget2ch.blog.jp has an image up with a price in RMB and it is slightly mad, at 7299 RMB which I hope is an error since if the price is real then we are looking at over 1000 USD for a mp3 player. The device will have a hump on the back like the ZX1 but it will not bad as obvious. This can be seen in the image above.
Source
Awesome that it's coming out. We have yet to see the specs and whether it's a step forward from the ZX1. I guess we'll find out more tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteHope it improves in processor, screen quality and is a bit cheaper than the ZX1. I'd be a buy for me...
ReplyDeleteIf the price is 1000USD, who in their right mind would buy one.
ReplyDeleteWell, audiophiles might. The dame people who can afford AK120, 240, HIFIMAN 901, Calyx M, Cowon Plenue P1...it is a niche, by all means, but likely a profitable one. I, for one, hope it's much more affordable, indeed.
ReplyDeleteAudiophiles might buy one, but on a more practical side for me the deal breaker is no headphones or noise reduction - premium price, should mean premium extras. I do a lot of traveling and find this feature essential, also saves on carrying bulky headphones when traveling. Noise cancelling does not affect the signal path when off so there should be no reason not to have this feature.
ReplyDeleteFor this reason I bought an 64Gb F886 from Hong Kong, it was £70 cheaper than 32Gb UK model, so Sony's pricing is a bit strange when you look at it!!
This is the biggest problem I have with the current A series and ZX1, no noise cancellation offered, at least in Europe. The Japanese A series has NC built in but uses non high res headphones, the NC31s which are the standard NC headphones for the past few years.
DeleteIt would be nice to have a XBA headphone with high res support and NC built in so it could be used with the A series or ZX2, assuming it has NC built in.
I agree with both comments, although I don't normally use NC. It seems to me that in the audiophile world NC might be considered non essential, then Sony can target audiophile markets and save money by not offering the feature. But for the asking price, they should offer a bucketload of features...
ReplyDeletePlus, headphones won't be included, as hi res phones would make the DAP much more expensive and most people interested in such premium players usually own several expensive headphones or iems. Again, Sony can maximize profit by offering less.
ReplyDeleteI agree any high res headphones would increase the price but would also help sales. Most of the older A series models shipped with much higher end headphones than competitors and this was definitely one of the reasons why I bought them. I know NC is not essential but when riding on a train or even walking outside, I prefer to have NC even to minimize the volume I have to use.
DeleteA price over 1000 USD will limit the consumer base for sure and I doubt the ZX2 will be offered in many markets, probably only in areas where the ZX1 was sold.
There was another rumour I heard apart from the ZX2 last year, and this was a new F-series to replace the current F880.
Yeah, I agree. I always lust for these high-end players, but it's still hard to justify the steep price to jump from my beloved Z1060 to ZX1 or ZX2. I guess I'll do it at some point in the future. Right now, I'm looking for a pair of high quality IEMS that do not break your bank account. Seba.
ReplyDeleteAs Ascariss said, higher quality (relative to those included with iPods) iems were a good selling argument for previous Walkmans. I chose a NWZ-A816 over an iPod in 2008 because there was a noticeable difference in sound quality, part of which I'm sure was attributable to better bundled iems. But I don't think this would help sell a high-end player. Perhaps it's a good selling argument for, say, something like the F880 series or the A10 series, but definitely not for the ZX. Seba
ReplyDeleteAs a long term Sony Walkman user I left them last year. I purchased an absolutely super hi-res Fiio X3 complete with "proper" line out,Ian DAC, and spdif for less than €250. It may not look like a super model but it sure is the best sounding , best value player I've owned to date.
ReplyDelete