Sony Walkman NW-A306 High-Resolution Digital Music Player

• Wi-Fi® compatible for direct download and streaming
• Made with a rigid aluminum frame and gold solder inside a precisely engineered chassis
• Up to 36 hours of 44.1KHz FLAC playback
• Supported by Android™
• Connect to a PC to access your music collection
• Lightweight and designed for pockets
• NW-A300 series high-quality PCM conversion
• DSD audio formats up to 11.2MHz
• The NW-A306 lets you enjoy 360 Reality Audio.
• Rigid aluminum milled frame for improved sound quality

Experience music as the artist intended

Enjoy a high quality sound from this stylish and compact music player that lets you download and stream more of the music you love. With full Wi-Fi® compatibility, a long lasting battery and a stylish and sleek design, you can play and find new music wherever you want to go.

Designed for discerning listeners

Enjoy a higher quality sound with various codecs and sound processing technology that give you more ways to enjoy your music.

High-end components

Made using high-end parts fitted inside a precisely engineered chassis to deliver clear, stable sound and solid bass.

Long battery life

With a long 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 High-Resolution Audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with a music service app.

Wi-Fi® compatible for direct download and music streaming

Supported by Android™ and compatible with Wi-Fi®, the NW-A306 offers you even more ways to listen to your music. Enjoy your favorite streaming and music apps right on your Walkman or connect to a PC to access your music collection.

Fully portable

This beautifully designed device is lightweight and designed for pockets, to allow you to take your music wherever you want to go.

High quality sound playback

Hi-Res Audio

Take yout digital music collection to another level with High-Resolution Audio. By capturing and reproducing digital audio at a higher rate than CD (24-bit/96kHz and beyond), High-Resolution Audio allows you to get closer to the original studio recording.

DSD playback

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.

Hi-Res Audio wireless

Enjoy High-Resolution Audio quality without wires thanks to LDAC, our premium wireless codec. With 3x the bitrate of standard Bluetooth® technology, you can enjoy a superior listening experience for all your music.

360 Reality Audio

Immerse yourself in sound all around you. As real as if you were there at a live concert or with the artist recording in a studio. With 360 Reality Audio, music has never been so immersive and so real. The NW-A306 lets you enjoy 360 Reality Audio.

MQA™

The Walkman includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files.

Bluetooth® and aptX™ HD

Connect wirelessly with Bluetooth and you’re ready to go. aptX™ HD audio compatibility is available.

DSEE Ultimate

Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time. And the evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless codec audio. Restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, it provides a richer, more complete listening experience.

Vinyl Processor

Give the warmth and character of vinyl back to your digital tracks. Enjoy subtle reproduction of the low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resistance and surface noise to deliver an authentic listening experience.

High-end components

Faithful sound reproduction

S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, is compatible with the Native DSD format, and supports balanced and 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.

Rigid aluminium milled frame for improved sound quality

The premium aluminium milled frame provides superior rigidity for low impedance and clear, stable sound and solid bass.

Film capacitator

High quality film capacitors deliver voltage with a linear response across frequencies, resulting in reduced distortion and noise.

Fine Sound Resistor

The surface mounted Fine Sound Resistor ensures even, effective distribution of power to the circuit components, for consistent sound quality.

High quality solder containing gold

The exceptional conductivity of gold ensures absolute minimum signal loss. For clearer sound and vocals, a premium, audio-grade lead-free solder with a small amount of gold connects the circuit of the NW-A300 Series to the battery.

Reflow solder containing gold

NW-A300 Series uses reflow solder containing gold, and it features extensively across the circuit board surface, so the overall effect is significant, including improved sound localization and wider sound space.

Optimised circuit board layout

The circuit board layout has been optimised to ensure sound quality is unaffected by digital interface.

Longer battery life

With a longer battery life compared to the previous model, 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 High-Resolution Audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with using the music service app.

3.6″ display and Walkman® Home Screen

The 3.6 inch (diag.) display gives you easier access to your music without compromising comfort. With the Walkman® Home Screen, you can customize the home display to suit your needs.

USB Type-C™ port

The NW-A300 Series features a USB Type-C™ port for quick charging and easy connectivity with a range of devices.

Expandable storage

With a 32GB integrated memory and an SD card slot, the NW-A300 Series Walkman lets you take even the biggest music collections on the go.

Easy downloading and streaming

Wi-Fi compatible for direct download and music streaming

Supported by Android™ and compatible with Wi-Fi, the NW-A300 Series offers you even more ways to listen to your music. Enjoy your favourite streaming and music apps right on your Walkman or connect to a PC to access your music collection.

DSEE Ultimate for better wireless listening.

Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time. And the evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless codec audio. Restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, it provides a richer, more complete listening experience.

Fully portable

Don’t let an active lifestyle keep you from enjoying music as it was meant to be heard. The NW-A300 Series is designed for quality sound wherever you go.

High-quality sound, pocket-sized device

Weighing just 113 g (3.99 oz) and with the comfort and function of both a 3.6″ touch screen and tactile physical music controls, the NW-A300 Series is dedicated to delivering exceptional music experiences right from your pocket.

Cassette tape UI

As a playful nod to the portable music revolution we began with the iconic TPS-L2, the NW-A300 Series features a special cassette tape user interface and screensaver. The cassette tape visual that appears on your Walkman® display varies depending on the codec of the music you’re listening to.

Sustainability

Aiming to achieve a zero environmental footprint

Inspired by the beauty of the world, Sony is doing its part to help preserve the Earth, while still allowing creators to produce even more beautiful and creative imagery. With a goal of achieving a zero environmental footprint across the entire Sony Group by the year 2050, we are accelerating numerous initiatives for the environment.

Sustainability in mind

Our products are not only designed to be stylish but also with the environment in mind. No plastic is used in the packaging material for the NW-A300 Series, reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our products and practices.

Specifications

Software

Operating System

Android 12

Playback & display

Display Type

TFT color display with white LED-backlight

Music Play Mode

Shuffle Playback, Repeat Off, Repeat 1 Song, Repart All, All Range, Selected Range

Music Searching Methods

All Songs, Artist, Release Year, Playlists, Album, Genre, Composer, Hi-Res, Recent Transfers, Folder, Cue sheet

Sound Effects

Direct Source (Direct), 10 Band equalizer, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, ClearAudio+, Vinyl Processor

Audio Playback

MP3 ( .mp3): 32 – 320kbps (supports VBR) / 32, 44.1, 48kHz,
WMA ( .wma): 32-320kbps(supports variable bit rate(VBR)/44.1kHz(STEREO) 32-48kbps/44.1kHz(MONO),
FLAC ( .flac): 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz,
WAV ( .wav): 16, 24, 32bit (Float/Integer) / 8-384kHz,
AAC ( .mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 16-320kbps / 8-48kHz,
HE-AAC ( .mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 32-144kbps / 8-48kHz,
Apple Lossless ( .mp4, .m4a): 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz,
AIFF ( .aif, .aiff, .afc, .aifc): 16, 24, 32bit / 8-384kHz,
DSD ( .dsf, .dff): 1bit / 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896 MHz,
APE ( .ape): 8, 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz (Fast, Normal, High),
MQA ( .mqa.flac): Supported

Touch Panel

Supported

Display Resolution

Size: 9.1 cm (3.6-inch), Resolution: HD (1280 x 720 Pixels)

Headphone Out (Stereo mini-jack)

Frequency

Frequency response: 20-40,000 Hz

Maximum Power Output (JEITA 16Ω/mW)

0.4-1.1mW (32Ω)

USB DAC Mode

USB DAC Mode

Yes

Size & Weight

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Approx. 56.5 mm x 98.4 mm x 11.8 mm
Approx. 2.23 inchs x 3.88 inchs x 0.47 inchs

Weight

Approx. 113 g 3.99 Oz

Connectivity

Terminals

USB: Type-C (USB3.2 Gen1 compliant),
Headphone: Stereo mini-jack,
External Memory: microSD microSDHC microSDXC

Wireless Capabilities

Communication system: Bluetooth
Specification Version 5.0,
Supported Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, OPP, DID,
Supported Codecs (Transmission): SBC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC

Power

Built-in battery

Rechargeable lithium-ion Battery

Charging and Power supply

USB Power (from a computer via a USB)

Battery Life – Continuous Playback Music

MP3 (128kbps) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 36 hours
AAC (256kbps) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 36 hours
WAV (44.1kHz/16bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 36 hours
FLAC (44.1kHz/16bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 36 hours
FLAC (96kHz/24bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 32 hours
FLAC (192kHz/24bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 32 hours
DSD (2.8224MHz/1bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 28 hours
DSD (5.6448MHz/1bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 22 hours
DSD (11.2896MHz/1bit) / Stereo mini-jack: Approx. 14 hours

BATTERY LIFE – Bluetooth (Transmitter mode)

MP3 (128kbps) / SBC-Connection pref: Approx. 22 hour,
FLAC (96kHz/24bit) / LDAC Connection Preferred(Auto): Approx. 11 hour

BATTERY LIFE – Bluetooth (Transmitter mode) Notes [1]

A Bluetooth connection will shorten the battery life by up to 50% depending on the following conditions.
-Format of the content.
-Settings of the connected device.

BATTERY LIFE – CONTINUOUS PLAYBACK MUSIC NOTES

・The values shown in this topic indicate the approximate battery life when the player is playing continuously with the default settings.
・Even if the player is turned off for an extended period, a small amount of battery power is still consumed.
・Battery life may vary depending on volume setting, conditions of use and ambient temperature.
・The battery is consumed considerably when the screen is on.
・The battery life may become about 40% shorter when some of the sound adjustments are active.
・The battery life may become about 30% shorter when the [High-Res streaming] function is active.