INTRO
I knew about The Walkman before I knew about the ipod.
Somewhere along the way the teacher (Sony), became the student of Apple. The ipod was simple and snappy and small. Sony was all over the map with new ideas every year and proprietary devices, systems and connectors. The must have made more money from folks trying to enjoy and integrate their devices with non Sony than they ever made of the devices themselves.
It was tiring and often not good.
However for every for every 5 FAILS there were some wins. The Sony EX1000 is considered by many to be the apex form of the single dynamic driver IEM design. I like mine so much I spent more decorating it than the item itself.
I also found the MA-900 t be to my liking enough to do the same for them.
I had not realized that Sony had dug their way back into my life until they were there. They had not broken back into the player realm though.
It was hot garbage. It favored Sony’s own file type…of course. I would rather learn a new version of Android than walk through that mess.
Then somebody tapped me on the virtual shoulder and thought i should have another look and I did..
Like an ipod on steroids with a nice weight and size. build quality supreme.
Navigation style
The interface is a series of panels that sit around the main screen that you can reach by swiping up/down/left/right. If you are in direct mode it’s that simple. ipod like in it’s ease.
If you switch direct off you get another level of DSP options including a nice 10 band EQ with another couple of options to satisfy the tweaker that lives in most gear geeks.
Dude..how the FFffUUUUuuuuUUU does it sound?
Sounds a tad south of Neutral. I hate Neutral. Has a tint of warmth and body to the music. Sounds real. Vocals and guitars sound clear and have good texture and transients. The note has a full life from the moment a bass guitar string is pulled until the harmonic extension has died away. This captures that perfectly.
Music will usually be whatever your earphones or headphones are tuned for. Good music players really should not be notable …just kinda get the fu out of the way and maybe leave a small sonic reminder they are there. The Sony NW ZX300 leaves a nice residue of musicality that is well received by the ex1000 or Unique Melody ME.1 (planar) or the 64 Audio U12 (Balanced Armature) or the NCM “Bella” (Hybrid).
Review of Sony NW ZX300 Video form
You are being pic bombed
Balanced output is where this thing shines the brightest. Believing in balanced benefits aside the power output is better and thus dynamics improve. There is always that.
I listened to this to come to this conclusion
Specs
NW-ZX300 – Key Features:
- Large TFT 3.1″ / 7.8 cm WVGA [800 x 480 Pixels] Display,
- Touch-Sensitive LED Backlight Color Display,
- 30/26 h – Standard MP3/High-Res Music Playback,
- Body:
- Solid single part CNC processed Stable Aluminium Body
- Benefits: Best Shielding and Noice canceling Results,
- S-Master HX™ – The Best Sound quality is Guaranteed By Design widely Implemented the “True Digital Paths”.
- High-Resolution, Hi-RES:
- Direct Stream Digital – DSD 11.2MHz,
- Standard MP3 – Up to 320 kbps, VBR Support,
- FLAC,
- WAVE,
- WMA,
- APE *.ape/ Up to 24 bit/max 192 kHz,
- DSEE HX™ For Restoring The Sound Quality of Lossy Compression Files,
- CXD-3778GF – Digital Amplifier,
- Connectivity:
- Bluetooth v.4.2 with A2DP and AVRCP,
- NFC,
- USB – V2.0,
- 22-pin WM PORT Socket,
- 10 Band equalizer,
- Dual Peak Meters Graphical Presentation,
- Spectrum Analyzer,
- Audio Output:
- Balanced Audio Jack – Diameter 4.4mm:
- Power Output: 2 x 200mW,
- Stereo Minijack – Diameter 3.5mm:
- Power Output: 2 x 50mW / 16 OHMs,
- Balanced Audio Jack – Diameter 4.4mm:
- Rechargeable battery Powering:
- Charging Time:
- Approximately 5h.
- High-Quality Components: FTCAP and Film Capacitors,
- Storage Space:
- Internal 64GB,
- The Storage Volume is Expandable with MicroSD Card.
- Dimensions:
- 57.7 x 120.4 x 14.9 mm,
- 2.28 x 4.75 x 0.59-inch,
- Weight:
- 157 g,
- 5.54 oz.
Sony has come a long way.
They seem to by luck or …nah…by luck, to have nailed it.
This is what they have done
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkman
Just reading that makes me remember why it took so long to return. Like they were trying to keep me away and kill their own market…and now they are on their way back to taking what was theirs. Do they even realize that? Who cares. This unit is awesome. This review is about that and it is in fact excellent.
Get it in Asia
http://www.accessoryjack.com/sony-nw-zx300-walkman-with-high-resolution-audio-black.html
Get it in America
https://www.amazon.com/NW-ZX300-Hi-Res-Walkman-Digital-Player/dp/B0756XZJ9Q
Really waiting for a nice review as I haven’t seen one yet. A comparison between Cayin N5ii would be nice too (and maybe HiBy R6 as well).
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I can do that 🙂
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Awesome thanks! I’m really torn between zx300 and n5ii 🤣
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Get the Sony
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And in-between the Hiby R6 & Sony ZX300–streaming capabilities aside–which one would you go for?
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Sony zx300
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SONY NW300 / Burson Timekeeper Virtuoso / B&W 705 S2 .. new Hi-Fi
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what is the brand of the 4.4 mm headphone adapter that you use?
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https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePETEREK?ref=l2-shopheader-name
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PETEREK, He is on etsy
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in the market for an upgrade from my PONO. looking at the Sony-NW-ZX300 and the Astell & Kern AK70MKII. Memory, balance capability and battery life are all key. One of the things i liked about the PONO was it’s Volume Leveling capability. I’m having a problem finding this feature in the price range I’m looking for. What are your recommendations in comparing the two above? Any A&K owners out there that could shed some light as to if I’m putting to much emphasis there. And lastly does anyone have any recommendations about other players out there (under $700) with this feature. The Sony mentioned above does but I’m giving up the caqpacity from 320 to 196?
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The ZX has a volume leveling DSP and balanced and 64 gig onboard. Built like a tank too. I would take it over the 70MkII myself but…I am kind of a Sony fanboy.
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It’s…………. time!!
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