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Sony announces new Signature Series Walkman

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

Press Release

Sony today introduced two new premium music players – the NW–WM1ZM2 & NW-WM1AM2, raising the bar to new heights in High-Resolution Audio listening, to satisfy the most demanding audiophiles.

Designed to immerse you in sublime, nuanced sound, the NW-WM1ZM2 has been fine-tuned from years of audio mastery and crafted from the very best materials. This new addition sets a new benchmark for Sony’s award-winning signature series, offering an exquisite listening experience in an ultra-premium design.

The NW-WM1AM2 allows you to completely lose yourself in high-quality audio with a richer, smoother and more expansive sound field compared to its predecessor.

Both music players let you download and stream from endless catalogues of music with Wi-Fi compatibility, taking your listening enjoyment to the next level.

Extraordinary sound begins with exceptional components

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

Throughout the history of Sony’s premium range music players, audio mastery has been accomplished through a combination of meticulous assembly of exceptional components. The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 are products of this philosophy.

Purer materials for a purer sound

The NW-WM1ZM2 has a 99.99% purity (4N) Gold-plated Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) Chassis. This realises a stronger digital ground and higher rigidity, enabling clear, expansive sound, so you can experience each instrument as if it were performing live.

The NW-WM1AM2 uses an aluminium alloy frame which provides a highly rigid case that’s resistive to electrical noise and other interference creating a stable, high quality sound.

Revel in authentic sound reproduction

With the use of S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 bring you stunningly faithful sound reproduction. The full digital amplifier further creates a rich and full-bodied sound, with the help of a high-quality lead-free solder.

Taking inspiration from the ground-breaking DMP-Z1, both music players feature an even stronger power supply than their predecessor models, both in the analogue and digital block.

The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 have upgraded fine-tuned capacitors – various FT CAP3 capacitors (High polymer Capacitor) and a large solid high polymer capacitor which offers large capacitance and low resistance. While an OFC milled block covering the digital block, allows both music players to bring you sound that appears to rise-up from silence.

Perfect Signal Integrity
 
Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

To achieve a powerful and smooth sound quality, Sony has selected a thick KIMBER KABLE® to run from the amp base to the balanced headphone jack on the NW-WM1ZM2, much like the renowned DMP-Z1. This carefully selected component helps transmit high quality audio signals, leaving just you and the music.

The NW-WM1AM2 uses a low-resistance OFC cable which offers low distortion and superior channel separation.

To realise both music player’s evolutionary sound, a dual clock and fine sound register have been precisely placed within each Walkman®. For the first time, Sony has begun using a reflow solder containing gold, whose effect is significant in the overall improved sound localisation and wider sound space.

Get the most out of your music, whatever the source

The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 both integrate a DSD Remastering Engine where PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2 MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital), giving you even more ways to enjoy your music.

With the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 you can also inject more life into your music by upscaling compressed music files in real time with DSEE Ultimate™. This evolving algorithm now offers even more benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless audio. By restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, the user can experience a more complete listening experience.

Hear every note as the artist intended

Both Walkman’s are also compatible with Balanced Connection and High-Resolution Audio, allowing you to experience your most loved tracks, just how the artist intended.

Music on the Move
 
Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2
 

The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 are now Wi-Fi compatible and run Android 11, giving you access to a vast collection of genres and artists, from all around the world. You can choose to either listen from your favourite music streaming and download services or connect to a PC to download tracks and playlists from your own personal collections, ensuring high quality sound playback.

All new optimised usability

With a larger 5.0” (12.7cm) display, both music players introduce a new smooth and responsive touchscreen that has been upgraded to HD (High Definition), optimising the user experience. You can also personalise your home display on the Walkman Home Screen to suit your individual needs, making your Walkman truly your own.

To ensure you can immerse yourself in your music wherever you are, both premium models give you up to 40 hours of non-stop 96kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback.

A USB Type-C port features on both models, offering fast music file transfer and easy connectivity with a range of devices.

The NW-WM1ZM2 offers 256GB of integrated memory and a microSD card slot, while the NW-WM1AM2 offers 128GB of integrated memory and a microSD card slot, allowing you to take even the biggest music collections, wherever you go.

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

Sustainability matters

Sony’s products are not only designed to be stylish, but also with the environment in mind. Zero plastic  is used in the packaging material for the NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2, reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the impact of our products and practices.

Pricing and Availability

The NW-WM1ZM2 will be available from April 2022 and priced at approximately €3700.

The NW-WM1AM2 will be available from April 2022 and priced at approximately €1400.

End of Press Release

So here they are, 2 new Walkmans to replace the WM1-Series. The prices are steep but expected. Unfortunately there are no high resolution photos yet, so once I find some, I will replace the smaller versions with full size ones.

The  NW-WM1ZM2 will come with 128GB internal memory and the NW-WM1AM2 will have 256GB.

My question now is, will be see replacements for the A and ZX Walkmans this year? Personally I would love to see a non-Android A60 but doubtful. I would love to pick up the NW-WM1ZM2 but at 1400 euros, I think I will save that money for a new laptop instead. Unless Sony wishes to send me one :D

Finally, guess no Signature Series WF model. I was hopeful but guess the YY2950 is something else. Hopefully we will not have to wait that long for its debut or leak.


Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2
Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2

Sony NW–WM1ZM2  NW-WM1AM2


22 comments:

  1. These players show the same number of cores and their speed, but the GPU shows up as GC7000UL instead of the GC7000NanoUltra.

    I guess they might be using NXP i.MX8M Plus instead of NXP i.MX8M Mini.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info, @MrWalkman. How does it translate to performance? Should we expect a snappy device?

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    2. No, it shouldn't really be better than the ZX500/A100 players.

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    3. Thanks for the reply. That's disappointing news, indeed. Shorter useful life than WM1A/Z.

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  2. Where is Bluetooth? Mad price for nothing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is there, ver 5.0, SBC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC support. Same BT chip as the A100/ZX500.

      https://helpguide.sony.net/dmp/nwwm1m2/v1/en/contents/TP1000521633.html

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  3. How about the new A series still no news on those?

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  4. I have to say it is rather hilarious and cheap of Sony that the NW-WM1AM2 comes with the same built in storage as my 8 year old NW-ZX1 and was less than half it's price at £550. Still... amazed such items are being produced. Price is probably indicative of sales figures.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's unbelievable that Sony hasn't expanded internal storage. They have the excuse of reliance on streaming, but it's a poor excuse in my opinion. I differ, however, as to the place these devices can have in the audio market today. They won't be big sellers, as you point out, but for me they do have a point. Of course, price weakens my case.

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    2. Sony just fooling customers. Unacceptable. Especially after 8 years, when technology is improving and storage becomes cheaper.

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  5. Man i really want a non android A series with video and picture playback like A15/A25 series

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  6. May you tell me about the A series

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  7. Hi. Could you please identify the headphones in the NW-WM1AM2 promo pictures? Thanks! Keep up the good work! Best regards Y.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. in some of the photos there is the MDR-Z1R and in the other photo is the MDR-Z7M2.

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  8. I am really torn currently I have a A30 and still use it daily but the battery is starting to not be as good as when I first bought it. Was torn between upgrading to the A55/A105 or possibly waiting to see if Sony release a new "budget" range audio player but at this point I doubt it will happen. As nice as these new announced players are I could never justify their cost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I recommend buying the A55 when you have the capability to do so. The Walkman OS players are about to walk into history. I would buy it while I still can.

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  9. Hmm. Any leaks about a z500 replacement? It has been some time.

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  10. I still don’t understand why they keep using android. They used to have their own OS and it’s not like they can do something better than android.

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  11. Hi,

    Just want to ask which countries offer these dapa with and without volume caps?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just want to ask which countries sell these daps with and without volume cap

    ReplyDelete
  13. What DAC is used in this thing?

    ReplyDelete

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