On occasion, I take pleasure in gushing in regards to the merchandise I like. It is a refreshing feeling after I spend most of my days complaining about this and that, to lastly be excited a few high quality gadget that does not handle to disappoint a persistent cynic like me. Ask anybody, I am massive into music and love sharing my finds, however to date, Spotify (my streaming app of alternative) nonetheless would not provide HD audio. Positive, there are different streaming companies that do, however having lately began amassing vinyl final yr, I used to be nonetheless lacking the previous days after I had a huge digital library I managed, having constructed it over many years from my bodily CD assortment. Whereas most of these recordsdata are lengthy gone, I’ve since constructed up a strong library of FLACs from the vinyl I’ve purchased on Bandcamp. Clearly, I wanted a devoted participant to do that audio justice, and that is the place Sony’s NW-A306 Walkman is available in.
Android DAPs are dope
Particularly the Sony NW-A306 Walkman
Working throughout the subject of Android protection, I used to be very conscious of how digital audio gamers (often known as a DAP) have been rising in recognition, as a result of many run Android. And the Sony NW-A306 Walkman is one such gadget, and in contrast to many DAPs, it is pretty inexpensive as well at $350. So how might I, an Android fan from the very first gadget, miss out on this rising DAP scene powered by Android? Effectively, I could not, and so I ran to Amazon to select up the NW-A306, a reminiscence card, and a few worthy in-ear screens (in any other case often known as IEMs) to restart my musical journey constructing a huge native digital library utterly underneath my management, this time powered by an HD audio gadget none of my telephones can match (not with no third get together DAC to plug in), very similar to how I used my iPods again within the day. I concede it is a journey powered by nostalgia, however I am writing in regards to the expertise to share with you as a result of it was price it. Going again to a devoted audio gadget for my tunes simply feels proper.
Greatest DACs for Android in 2024
Pocket HiFi has by no means been this good
That is to not say the Sony NW-A306 is an ideal gadget as a result of it is not, but it surely certain will get the job executed with little trouble. Plus, there’s nothing like the sensation of carrying round a Walkman prefer it’s nonetheless the 80s. Sony even acknowledges our nostalgia with the gadget’s screensaver, a video of an audio tape taking part in on the display screen, full with the identify of the band and track on the tape’s label. It is a cute addition that sealed the deal for me: a Walkman that acknowledges its previous whereas nonetheless residing within the current, tackling our HD audio wants.
What’s actually nice in regards to the NW-A306 is the truth that it runs Android, full with entry to the Play Retailer. And guess what? The Play Retailer is stuffed with HD audio gamers, together with apps like Poweramp. When you’ll lose out on entry to the tape-deck screensaver that’s tied to Sony’s default audio participant, with apps like Poweramp, you may acquire entry to EQ settings that drill right down to particular IEMs and headphones. I child you not after I say the Linsoul 7HZ Timeless AE IEMs I bought had a number of EQ settings inside Poweramp which might be particularly tuned to their skills (one thing much like Wavelet). Activate Sony’s ClearAudio+ playback earlier than turning on Poweramp’s particular EQ settings, and by gosh, the sound is fairly magical. Maybe as a result of that is my first expertise with HD audio and a worthwhile pair of IEMs, I am overly excited, however really, I hear sounds in my favourite tracks I merely wasn’t choosing up on my cellphone or desktop with a premium pair of Grado cans.
Nothing is ideal
However there’s nonetheless so much to love
In fact, having executed my analysis earlier than taking the plunge, there is a particular pitfall to be careful for with the NW-A306. Sony, for some extremely unusual cause, restricted the quantity stage in each nation however Japan (nicely, not so unusual, there are legal guidelines about quantity ranges in nations that really feel they should deal with shoppers like kids). I have never discovered this to be a difficulty powering my specific IEMs, however if in case you have a pair of headphones that require a variety of energy to push excessive volumes, chances are you’ll discover Sony’s hobbling of quantity stage irritating. In fact, you can observe down the Japanese model of the DAP on eBay or Amazon if you happen to really suppose you will must have full energy on the gadget. Nonetheless, if Sony cared to present everybody the total expertise, it could enable us to unlock the bootloader so we might take away the quantity cap on our personal with out Sony having to fret about breaking any legal guidelines. I will not maintain my breath.
Regardless of the restricted quantity stage, I might say the NW-A306 sounds very good. In fact, an excellent pair of headphones helps, however if you happen to’re shopping for a DAP, you will doubtless wish to pair it with headphones that may pull their weight.
Greatest over-ear headphones in 2024
Expertise pure listening nirvana with these over-the-ear headphones
On the finish of the day, I am actually happy with Sony’s NW-A306 Walkman. It is the right entry level to DAPs, made by an organization that has been manufacturing moveable audio gadgets for longer than you’ve got doubtless been alive. From reel-to-reels to file gamers, to tape decks, to CD gamers, to Mini Disks, to MP3 gamers, Sony has been at it for a very long time, and I’ve to say this shines brilliant when utilizing the NW-A306. It appears like an audio gadget worthy of the Walkman identify. There’s very a lot one thing to be mentioned about devoted gadgets that do one job nicely; I want I noticed extra of it within the Android market; extra firms must observe Sony’s lead on this regard.
