sony wm tour

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works

Home / Features / The best Sony Walkman cassette, CD, MiniDisc and digital players ever!

The best Sony Walkman cassette, CD, MiniDisc and digital players ever!

They were once one of the most popular consumer electronics products in the world - here's our selection of the best ever

In today’s world, smartphones are the go-to devices for remote music listening. But decades ago, the iconic Sony Walkman was the preferred choice for listening to music on walks, runs, or just lounging around.

The Sony Walkman product line held immense cultural significance. Sony introduced it in 1979, and it lasted without interruption until 2010. Although the company has occasionally released new models since then, they aren’t targeting the masses like the halcyon days of cassette.

Sony originally called their portable cassette player the Roundabout in the United States and the Freestyle in other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. However, a year later, they rebranded the entire lineup as Walkman, which quickly became a household name and played a crucial role in the rise of portable music players.

Early Sony Walkman models primarily played pre-recorded compact cassettes, but later versions supported CDs. As technology advanced, they were equipped with additional features such as FM radio, MP3 playback, and noise-cancellation capabilities.

The best Sony Walkman models are a topic of debate. Most, however, would agree that each of the following would make any list.

• Related : The best wireless speakers: music and radio via Wi-Fi

The early years

Tps-l2 (1979): the original sony walkman.

The TPS-L2, later called the Walkman TPS-L2, was the first-ever personal stereo cassette player that was available for purchase. It was first launched in Japan on July 1, 1979, and later in the United States in June 1980. The TPS-L2 was quite different from the previous cassette players, as it was much smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry around. Another significant feature that the TPS-L2 had was the stereo sound, which was a massive upgrade compared to the mono sound the previous cassette players had.

The TPS-L2 enjoyed immediate popularity and soon became a cultural sensation, representing freedom and self-expression while revolutionizing music consumption. Its impact was so significant that it remains one of the most important inventions of the 20th century.

The TPS-L2 boasted several impressive features, such as extended battery life, a built-in headphone jack, and a hands-free “Hotline” button.

Sony WM-2 (1981): Sony Walkman WM-2

The Sony Walkman WM-2 cassette player was the second Walkman model. It was the world’s smallest stereo cassette player at that time, selling over 1.5 million units. The designers aimed to make it ultra-portable, and they succeeded with its 30mm thickness and 280g weight. The cassette could be inserted the other way around since the tape heads were mounted in the lid, saving space.

The WM-2 had a direct drive motor that ensured smooth playback and rewinding. Additionally, it featured a built-in headphone amplifier, which allowed music enthusiasts to listen without requiring headphones. Its small size made it popular among musicians who used it for rehearsals and performances, making it a beloved gadget among music lovers.

This model offered nine hours of battery life and was available in black, red, gray, and white.

Sony WM-10 (1983): oh, so thin

In 1983, Sony introduced the WM-10, a portable cassette player that was even smaller than the previous models, measuring just 25mm in thickness.

As Walkman Central explains , “New techniques were required to achieve a worthwhile reduction in size.” Among the costs: the device was powered by a single AA battery, which meant that it could only last for around 3 hours.

Despite these limitations, the WM-10 was popular for those who wanted a portable cassette player. Most considered the WM-10 a high-end device at the time, and owning one was seen as a symbol of status.

• Related : Best iPod: the 11 best versions of Apple’s thin white jukebox

Sony D-50 (1984): the company’s first portal CD player

Launched in 1984, the Sony Walkman D-50 was the company’s first portable CD player. It offered a number of “firsts,” like a digital readout and a shock-resident mechanism. Reports indicated, however, the device was prone to skipping, which was corrected on future versions. The Sony Walkman D-50 came in red and black versions, and today it’s a popular collector’s item — especially the red model.

Sony WM-D6C (1984): a professional model

Sony produced Walkmans that catered to the needs of professionals. The Sony WM-D6C was one such model that introduced Dolby C noise reduction technology.

According to Walkman Central , this device also came equipped with a line-in connector that enabled direct connectivity to other audio equipment without requiring the microphone socket. The level meter on this model also underwent modifications, allowing it to display both the recording level and battery status. Additionally, it could be switched off to conserve battery life.

The Sony WM-D6C was known for its impressive battery life, but it was larger in size compared to previous Sony Walkman models. Two versions of the Sony WM-D6C were released – one in 1984 and another in 1988, both available in black with different variations. The first variation had a green “professional” script on the top cover, while the second had a yellow “professional” script.

Sony WM-101 (1985): rechargeable batteries

The Sony WM-101 is noted for being one of the first Walkmans to use a “gum stick”-like rechargeable battery. This made the device highly portable and cost-effective compared to its forerunners. Additionally, the WM-101 boasted a range of features that contributed to its popularity, such as auto-reverse and Dolby NR noise reduction.

The Sony WM-101 was available in four colors: red, black, light blue, and gray. Additionally, Sony launched a limited edition “Sunburst” model, which featured a metallic gold hue.

Sony WM-B52 (1988): sporty

In 1988, Sony released the sports cassette player WM-B52, with athletes as their target audience. The Walkman’s bright yellow color made it easily visible in crowded situations, and it proved to be very successful.

One of the standout features of the WM-B52 was its resistance to water and shock. Additionally, it had an in-built solar-powered alarm clock, a headphone jack with a built-in amplifier, and came with a handy carrying case.

More advances made

In the 1990s, the Sony Walkman was at the height of its popularity and was a must-have for music lovers. With the decline of cassette tapes, newer versions of the Walkman were designed to accommodate CDs, MiniDisks, and even flash memory. This allowed people to enjoy their music on the go, no matter what format it was in.

Sony Walkman MZ-1 (1992): MiniDisks arrive

Sony released the first MiniDisc player, the Sony Walkman MZ-1, in December 1992. It utilized their proprietary ATRAC lossless compression technology to store high-quality audio recordings on MiniDiscs.

Sony invented MiniDiscs as a replacement for cassettes. They were smaller than CDs, measuring 70mm in diameter, and had a capacity of up to 80 minutes of audio. MiniDiscs used a magneto-optical recording system, which enabled them to be recorded and erased multiple times.

Although they never reached the same level of popularity as full-sized CDs, MiniDiscs were popular for some. However, with the advent of MP3 players, their appeal gradually diminished.

The Sony Walkman MZ-1 was only available in two colors, black and titanium silver.

Sony Walkman NW-MS70D (2004) flash memory

In 2004, Sony released the Walkman NW-MS70D, a digital audio player (DAP). This DAP was one of the first to use the Memory Stick Duo format and had several features that made it a popular choice. It had a built-in memory of 256MB, supported Memory Stick Duo cards up to 1GB, and a 2.4-inch TFT LCD display. Additionally, it had a built-in FM tuner, a headphone jack with an amplifier, and a rechargeable battery that provided up to 33 hours of playback. The Sony Walkman NW-MS70D came in black, silver, and pink.

Sony Walkman NW-HD1 (2004): it came with a hard drive

Back in 2004, Sony introduced the Walkman NW-HD1, which was a digital audio player that utilized a hard drive for storage. Sony’s Walkman NW-HD1 marked the first time that a hard drive was incorporated into a Walkman. The device boasted a storage capacity of 20GB and could last for up to 30 hours on a single battery charge.

The Walkman NW-HD1 was able to provide superior sound quality compared to previous models of digital audio players, thanks to the ATRAC encoding. In addition, Sony equipped this portable music device with a 1.5-inch monochrome display, a line-out jack, and a USB 2.0 port. You could purchase one in silver or red.

Sony Walkman WM-FX290W (2004): end of an era

The Sony Walkman WM-FX290W was the last portable cassette player to launch in the United States. It came equipped with a digital tuner that had 40 station presets and even a weather band. Additionally, it boasted Mega Bass sound and an automatic volume limiter system (AVLS). The player ran on two AA batteries and could last up to 35 hours. You could purchase the model in black or silver only.

Sony Walkman NW-E505/507 (2005): it’s an MP3 player

In 2005, Sony released the NW-E505 and NW-E507, which were portable digital audio players (DAPs). These Walkmans were the first to have a built-in FM radio and a color display. The NW-E505 had a 1.7-inch TFT display, while the NW-E507 had a 2.0-inch TFT display. Both players had 32MB of internal memory, but the memory capacity could be expanded using a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card.

You could purchase the NW-E505 in metallic pink, silver, blue, black, and red, while Sony offered the NW-E507 in metallic pink, silver, blue, black, green, and red. A “Tokyo Walkman” edition was only available in Japan that had a black body and red OLED screen.

Sony Walkman NWD-W273 (2013): something new

The Sony Walkman NWD-W273 arrived a decade ago. The waterproof and dustproof MP3 player featured a built-in speaker and microphone. The mobile device also included an FM radio and voice recorder.

The NWD-W273 offered 18 hours of entertainment between charges, which was somewhat limited, especially when compared to Apple iPod and iPhone, which by 2013 dominated the market. The device included only 4GB of internal storage, no Bluetooth connectivity, and didn’t have a screen.

You can buy a Sony Walkman NWD-W273 in black, blue, and white and included matching headphones.

Best Sony Walkman: the newbies

Sony nw-wm1zm2.

In recent years, Sony has designed Walkmans to meet audiophiles’ high standards of sound quality. Sony created the NW-WM1ZM2 with a single piece of pure, oxygen-free copper. It features a high-quality S-Master HX digital amplifier and costs $3,298/£3,299. It can handle high-resolution audio formats like DSD and PCM, and it’s a member of the company’s Signature Series.

If you’re searching for a more affordable option, the Sony NW-A306 ($348/£349) is worth considering. This portable device comes with 32GB of internal storage and supports microSD cards. Its battery life can last up to 32 hours.

Best Sony Walkman: special edition models

Sony has released special edition Walkman models over the years. These special editions were often only available in the Japanese market and showcased popular films, TV shows, and console games. Even today, Japan still gets limited-edition releases, like the 2021 Peanuts limited edition S Series and the 2020 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba limited edition A Series.

As you can see, the best Sony Walkmans took many forms over the years. Though the product lineup started out as one that focused on cassette tapes, still others worked with CDs and MiniDisks. Eventually, Sony brought MP3 and DAT quality devices to the marketplace, although nothing was as popular as the first ones.

• Recommended : Best headphones: wireless headphones reviewed

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including iMore, TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education.

Share this:

Related content, the 25 best games to play on the steam deck today.

Start your handheld PC journey with this lot

Best cassette players 2024: tape players for a retro audio fix

The best tape players will have you rockin’ and a rollin’ in no time (pencils not included)

Microsoft Xbox One X vs Sony PlayStation 4 Pro: which is best?

Does the powerful new Xbox unseat Sony’s souped-up PS4?

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

• Random Thoughts

Sony WM-TOUR Mystery Walkman

• audio tour guide?

By Otokichi February 12, 2022 in Random Thoughts

Recommended Posts

Submitted for your cogitation, a strange Sony Walkman model that may indeed, "belong in a museum." Imagine a playback-only Walkman that "Techmoan" can find NOTHING about on the Interweb. So, what is the purpose of this "can't play 'The Stranglers' music cassette" thing? Press PLAY to find out more from the comments...

Link to comment

Share on other sites, create an account or sign in to comment.

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Already have an account? Sign in here.

• Existing user? Sign In
• Online Users
• All Activity
• Songfacts.com
• Leaderboard
• Create New...

PGA Championship

Watch on espn+, espn bet at the pga championship (final round), pga championship: featured holes #13, #14 & #18 (final round), dechambeau group, thomas group, pga championship: cantlay featured group (final round), pga championship with no laying up (final round), pga championship: dustin johnson featured group (final round), main coverage, pga championship: featured holes #13, #14 & #18 (third round), latest golf videos, xander schauffele reflects on 'amazing' pga championship win.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Disney Ad Sales Site
• Work for ESPN
• Corrections

DAILY TOURS

PREMIUM STUDIO TOUR

VIP LUNCH TOURS

TWILIGHT TOURS

GROUP TOURS

INSIDE THE GATES

Step back into a legendary time on the Sony Pictures Studio tour! Walk through the famed gates and you’re behind the scenes at one of the most historic and exciting studio lots in the world. Our two-hour guided walking tour will give you the real experience of a working studio.

Visit soundstages once home to iconic films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Men in Black” and “Spider-Man.” Swing by smash-hit games shows “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” You might even catch a glimpse of the Barbra Streisand Scoring stage or Walter White’s RV from the hit series, “Breaking Bad.” Keep your eyes open... You never know what – or who – will be around the next corner.

TOUR DETAILS

• Tours run Monday through Friday
• Standard times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Additional tour times are added during peak seasons
• Reservations are required
• Children age 12 and up are welcome
• Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult on the tour
• $55 per person
• Free parking in the Overland Parking structure at 3990 Overland Ave Culver City, CA 90232

For more information, call (310) 244-TOUR (8687)

Buy your tickets now.

EVENING TOURS AVAILABLE

VIP LUNCH TOURS AVAILABLE

Sony Open in Hawaii marks first opportunity to earn FedExCup points towards Aon Swing 5

Waialae Country Club in Honolulu hosts the Sony Open in Hawaii. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Eligibility path adds additional consequence to Full-Field Events during 2024 PGA TOUR Season

Change Text Size

HONOLULU – As the second week of the FedExCup Regular Season gets underway at the Sony Open in Hawaii, players will have their first opportunity to earn FedExCup points towards the Aon Swing 5, a new eligibility pathway with access to Signature Events. With the PGA TOUR Season returning to a calendar-year spanning January to August, each week has greater impact in the season-long race for the FedExCup as well as in-season stakes, with Full-Field Events holding additional consequence through the Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5.

The Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5 are eligibility pathways for players, not already qualified, to play their way into Signature Events via the FedExCup standings.

• Aon Next 10: Top 10 available players, not otherwise exempt, from FedExCup standings
• Aon Swing 5: Top five available players, not otherwise exempt, who have earned the most FedExCup points from the swings leading up to each Signature Event

The top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during the Sony Open in Hawaii, The American Express and Farmers Insurance Open will qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, while the top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during those three events and the WM Phoenix Open, will qualify for The Genesis Invitational. The Aon Next 10 for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational was determined through the FedExCup Fall standings.

Featuring a total of 36 events, the 2024 FedExCup Regular Season includes eight Signature Events, limited-field tournaments with increased purses ($20 million) and FedExCup points (700 points to the winner). Outside of The Sentry, the season-opening event won last week by Chris Kirk, eligibility criteria for the remaining seven Signature Events includes the top 50 players from the 2022-23 FedExCup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List and 15 players who can play their way in through the Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5, with no alternates for this category. Additional spots will go to current season tournament winners (excluding Additional Events) and PGA TOUR members inside the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking, if not already exempt through a higher category, and four sponsor exemptions restricted to members. The three player-hosted invitationals will have one tournament host exemption.

A total of 61 players have already qualified for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational (field sizes expected to be between 70-80 players): the top 50 players in the 2022-23 FedExCup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List; Nos. 51-60 in the final FedExCup Fall and Eligibility Points List, who serve as the Aon Next 10; and the leading points earner from the 2023 Race to Dubai that was not otherwise exempt (Nicolai Hojgaard). Due to the pro-am format, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am will fill the field to 80 players using the FedExCup Fall and Eligibility Points List, beginning with No. 61 Stephan Jaeger.

2024 Signature Event qualification calendar

61 players exempt for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational

• Cassette Deck
• Reel To Reel
• Classic AMPLIFIERS
• LOUDSPEAKERS

18 September 2020

Sony walkman (1989) - the making of.

WM-10 Super Walkman

WML ID #106

Technical details, specifications, description.

The Sony WM-10 cassette player was released in the market in 1983. Its tiny size represents a tour-de-force of early 1980’s engineering.

Uses a single 1.5V AA type battery with a step-up DC-DC converter to boost the voltage to a useful level. Sony had used these devices in the past but for the WM-10 something all together smaller was needed. The converter used in the WM-10 was made using miniature components on a thin, flexible printed circuit. This was then rolled up on itself into a tube and tucked down the side of the chassis. By these means, a compact assembly that was well screened from the rest of the circuitry was realized. The single AA battery was housed in a compartment next to the heads at the top of the machine, and usefully employed the depth in the case required for the heads to retract into. Via thngs

Accessories

Advertisements

WML @ 2023-05-31 15:56:57

• Photography
• Timekeeping
• Typewriters
• Shop All Music
• Vinyl Vinyl Records Turntables Vinyl Accessories Shop All
• Cassette Cassette Tapes Cassette Players Cassette Accessories Shop All
• CD CDs CD Players Shop All
• More Headphones Speakers iPods Radios

Cassette Players →

• Shop All Polaroid
• Polaroid Film 600 Film SX-70 Film i-Type Film Go Film Shop All
• Polaroid Cameras 600 Cameras SX-70 Cameras SLR 680 Cameras i-Type and Go Cameras Packfilm Cameras Shop All
• Polaroid Accessories Retrospekt Bags Vintage Camera Bags & Cases Folding Skins Folding Accessories 600 Accessories Photo Storage Shop All

Film Shop →

Collabs & Limited Edition →

• Shop All Photography
• Film 35mm Film 120 Film 110 Film Instax Film Polaroid Film Shop All
• Cameras 35mm Cameras 120 Cameras 110 Cameras Digital Cameras Polaroid Cameras Shop All
• Bags & Accessories
• Film Processing

Killer Acid x Retrospekt →

Film Processing →

• Gaming Consoles Game Boy Nintendo 64 Shop All Consoles
• Video Games Game Boy Nintendo 64 Shop All Video Games
• Gaming Gear
• Tamagotchis
• Wristwatches
• Killer Acid
• Evan Weselmann
• All Collabs

Your cart is empty

Vintage Refurbished [ℹ]

Sony walkman wm-8 portable cassette player.

The Walkman WM-8 cassette player features a matte silver  body with classic Sony elements. Prominently featured in Season 4 of Stranger Things, Max Mayfield is rarely seen without her WM-8 in her quest to overcome Vecna's power. This unit completely functional and in great cosmetic condition. Please review photos carefully before purchasing, the device in the photos is the device you will receive. The last photos show that the battery compartment is clean and free of corrosion.

Take a break from digital media and live in the moment. Rewind, fast-forward, flip the tape, watch it spin. Listen to an album all the way through. Slow down and embrace the analog experience that is music on magnetic tape.

This cassette player has been expertly refurbished by our analog electronics gurus. This unit has new drive belts, a calibrated playback speed, a deoxidized volume potentiometer, and demagnetized tapehead. All components have been gingerly polished by our refurb technicians. If you're getting into cassette tapes for the first time or revisiting an old music format, do it on a Sony for consistent, reliable audio performance.

Please note this little player had an entire life before Retrospekt. It will show signs of previous usage, but it is guaranteed to be working, clean, and restored.

Contents include:

• Sony Walkman WM-8
• Orange retro-inspired headphones
• AA batteries

Choose options

SONY Walkman

• AIWA Walkman
• Panasonic Walkman
• SANYO Walkman
• Series Gallery
• Tape Jockey

Click to see each model photo gallery

SONY TPS-L2 ‘Guys & Dolls’

SONY WM-EX808HG

SONY WM-D6C

SONY WM-DD30

SONY WM-R202

SONY WM-DC2

SONY WM-DD9

SONY WM-EX615

SONY WM-W800

SONY WM-EX5

SONY WM-FX43

SONY PS-F9 (turntable walkman) SOLD > SONY PS-F9 (turntable walkman)

• My Products
• Register a new product
• My Account Details
• Newsletter Preferences
• Delivery Addresses
• Payment Methods

Search History

• TVs & Home Theatre

• Gaming Gear

• Cloud Service

• Media, Storage & Cables

• All Products
• Professional Products & Solutions
• PlayStation
• Support by Sony mobile app
• Sony Group Site
• Sony Design
• Sony Professional
• Sony and the Environment
• Sony Pictures
• Sony Biotechnology

It looks like JavaScript is disabled in your browser. To get the full experience on Sony.co.uk, please change your settings to allow JavaScript.

The NW-WM1A is a premium Walkman® designed for optimal sound quality. Feel every note and nuance with High-Resolution Audio and hear the difference in your music with balanced sound, anywhere you go. 

WM1A Walkman® Signature Series

Click to see our best offers

• Offers & Promotions

Specifications & Features

• Support & Product Registration

One Signature Sound

Elevating the high-resolution sound experience from one you listen to, to one you can feel.

Enjoy the subtlest nuances of studio-quality sound in higher than CD quality with High-Resolution Audio. Passion for music unites every component from signal to speaker, so it feels like the artist is performing right in front of you. The NW-WM1A Walkman® also supports the very latest 384 kHz / 32-bit rate and DSD Native Playback.

The NW-WM1A supports native DSD audio files, which are sourced early in the production process. This means they retain all the authentic detail of the original recording.

The new S-Master™ HX digital amp technology, independently developed for Walkman®, cuts distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies for rich, full bodied sound.

DSEE HX upscaling technology uses an algorithm to analyse your music and replace any lost information, so that the quality is almost high-resolution level. Choose from 5 modes to bring out the best in your music. 

Balanced single jack

ø4.4mm Balanced Standard Plug giving high output power for your headphones

Standard headphone jack

Connect your headphones with a standard headphone jack

Enjoy clear, precise, dynamic sound with balanced audio. With a new ø4.4mm Balanced Standard Plug, noise picked up from the wire to the amplifier is reduced. The result – superior sound, delivered with clarity.

Built with an aluminium frame and tailored electrical components, the NW-WM1A Walkman® is designed for high quality, powerful sound. 

An aluminium alloy frame provides a highly rigid case that’s resistive to electrical noise and other interference for stable, high-quality sound.

A low-resistance Oxygen-free Copper cable offers low distortion and superior channel separation.

Reduce noise and minimise distortion in the audio signal path with MELF type resistors.  

The newly developed FT CAP (high polymer capacitor) works to regulate power flow, optimising it for instant, clean power when needed.  

Pure sound translation

Our DC Phase Linearizer works to effectively replicate a wide variety of sonic signatures. It applies digital-signal processing to match the phase characteristics of various types of analog amplifier to deliver a purer, more analog-like sound. Choose from six phase character settings.

• Percussions

Capturing every note and nuance with DSEE HX™

Take the concert feeling home and experience your music as the artist intended, in near High-Resolution Audio quality. DSEE HX™ upscaling technology uses an algorithm to analyse your music and replace any lost information, so that the quality is almost high-resolution level. Choose from 4 additional modes to the standard, to bring out the best in your music.

The NW-WM1A is designed to fit in with your everyday lifestyle. With its compact size and lightweight build, it’s easy to grab when you’re in need of some high quality music.

The high quality 4.0” (10 cm) screen is touch-sensitive so you can access functions simply by touching the icon. 

The play/pause, music-selection and volume buttons on the side panel are shaped and positioned for easy operation.

The NW-WM1A Walkman® supports a wide range of file types.

Enjoy up to 30 hours of continuous High-Resolution Audio playback (FLAC 96 kHz/24bit) and 33 hours' MP3 (128 kbps).

Never run out of music with 128GB of built-in memory, add more with a Micro SD memory card slot.

Enjoy high quality music streaming thanks to LDAC, our premium wireless codec. With 3x the bitrate of standard Bluetooth, you can enjoy a superior listening experience for all your music.

Settle for nothing less than immersive excellence with the full range of Signature Series products. Designed for ultimate sound quality, they transcend audio conventions to elevate every note.

COMPLETE THE SIGNATURE SERIES COLLECTION

Superior sound, tangible quality - discover our most advanced headphone listening experience.

Discover a new level of headphone music reproduction with our most advanced stationary amplifier.

Delight in pure detail with our flagship Walkman, combining premium parts with innovative sound technology.

High-Resolution Audio compatible

DSEE HX upscales music to High Resolution quality

S-Master HX digital amplifier for pure sound quality

128GB capacity (up to 800 High Resolution Audio tracks)

Enjoy up to 33 hours of playtime with High-Resolution Audio files

Help us improve this page

How effective was this page in providing the information you were looking for?

Please share any feedback regarding this page below.

Looking for help? Please contact Customer Support

4.7 based on 57 customer reviews

Related Products

Product Support

• Question & Answers

Get news, support and offers

• Predecessors
• Professional
• MiniDisc/ATRAC
• World Band Receivers

Colours/finishes

One could easily mistake the WM-1 for the first Walkman model from its numbering. However, this is not the case, and the WM-1 was actually the third personal stereo cassette player to be announced by Sony, following the TPS-L2 and the WM-2 “Walkman II”. The WM-1 followed the same design practice as had resulted in the TPS-L2, taking an existing tape recorder and turning it into a stereo cassette player through simplification and rationalisation. The difference was that the WM-1 was based on a simpler, cheaper and less compact range of models than the TPS-L2 had been, so a simpler, cheaper and larger Walkman resulted. This was a sensible move, as it broadened the Walkman range and in introducing a lower cost model, made it more accessible . Text copyright © Walkman Central . Unauthorised reproduction prohibited .

Compared to the TPS-L2 and WM-2, the WM-1 was indeed a substantial machine. Despite this, it was fairly basic, lacking such refinements as the separate left/right volume controls and “hot line” microphone of the former model and the soft-touch tape transport keys and full auto-stop of the latter. Internally, the mechanism was larger and simpler than the other models and used a less elaborate motor with a standard iron rotor and no servo feedback generator. The mechanism betrayed its dictating machine origins by the inclusion of “cue” and “review” modes during playback . Text copyright © Walkman Central . Unauthorised reproduction prohibited .

Despite these economies, the WM-1 worked well, and even included two headphone sockets so that two people could listen. A volume control dial similar to that found on the WM-2 was fitted, so as to visually tie the two otherwise quite dissimilar models together . Text copyright © Walkman Central . Unauthorised reproduction prohibited .

The WM-1 helped to popularise the Walkman idea by making ownership easier, though surprisingly the smaller, more expensive models proved to be more popular in the end. It was replaced by the WM-4 , which was similar but slightly smaller . Text copyright © Walkman Central . Unauthorised reproduction prohibited .

It looks like JavaScript is disabled in your browser. To get the full experience on Sony.com, please change your settings to allow JavaScript.

Sony Support Walkman WM Series

WM1ZM2 Walkman® Signature Series

• Specifications
• Product Highlights

Popular Topics

Product alerts.

• 3rd party sign-in IDs ending for Sony cloud services
• End of support for Windows 8.1 and earlier operating systems
• Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse
• Notice of Limited Warranty Updates for Sony Electronics Inc. and Sony of Canada Ltd.
• Windows 8.1
• macOS 10.13
• macOS 10.12
• macOS 10.11
• macOS 10.10
• macOS 10.14
• macOS 10.15
• System Software
• Firmware Update to Version 1.08.00 Release Date: 02/19/2024 02/19/2024
• Hi-Res Audio Player for Mac Release Date: 07/01/2020 07/01/2020
• Sony USB Audio Driver (Windows) Release Date: 10/22/2017 10/22/2017

Support by Sony App

Manuals & warranty.

• [PDF] Warranty (162 KB) Release Date: 10/25/2018 162 KB 10/25/2018
• Help Guide (Web manual) File size is not provided. Release Date: 10/02/2023 10/02/2023
• [PDF] Operating Instructions (265 KB) Release Date: 02/08/2022 265 KB 02/08/2022

Purchase Printed Manuals

Questions & answers.

• End of support notification for products using the Windows 7 operating system
• What is the maximum storage capacity of microSD cards for my Walkman?
• How to change the codecs and wireless preferences when connecting via Bluetooth
• Can I play audio in High-Resolution format with the Walkman?

Product Repair

Repair information and service assistance

Here you can ask questions and connect with other Sony users

Parts & Accessories

Product information and sales assistance

Register a Product

Keep track of all your products in one location

Contact Support

Product support & customer relations

Support by Sony (Mobile App)

Get Support Content on the Go!

Please accept Youtube cookies to watch this video

Access your cookie preferences below and make sure to switch on the Youtube cookie under the 'Functional' section.

Cart (0 product)

Your cart is currently empty, specifications.

• Signature Series

Model: NW-WM1AM2

About this item.

High-Resolution Audio compatible

Reviews & Questions

Return policy, frequently bought together, recently viewed.

• Native DSD playback is only achievable with a balanced connection. For unbalanced connections DSD playback will be PCM.
• Not compatible with Walkman cable.
• A portion of the memory is used for data management functions. Actual available memory is approx. 215GB.
• Video content with 360 Reality Audio is not supported on the NW-WM1AM2.
• Sony | Headphones Connect App is needed. Requires subscription to a music streaming service – subscription fees apply. Personalization function is available only for selected headphones. Some services may not be available in certain countries/regions.
• Coating and adhesive materials excluded. This varies by region.
• Interoperability and compatibility between Bluetooth® devices vary.
• Actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, and usage. Battery capacity decreases with time and use.

©2022 Sony Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony and the Sony logo are trademarks and or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Bluetooth and the Bluetooth logo are trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Search History

• TVs & Home Theatre

• Gaming Gear

• Cloud Service

• Media, Storage & Cables

• All Products
• Professional Products & Solutions
• PlayStation
• Sony Group Site
• Sony Design
• Sony Professional
• Sony and the Environment
• Sony Pictures

It looks like JavaScript is disabled in your browser. To get the full experience on Sony.co.uk, please change your settings to allow JavaScript.

Part of the Signature Series, the WM1ZM2 sets a new benchmark in pure sound quality and listening sophistication. Crafted with fine materials and meticulous attention to detail, and offering the ease of downloading and streaming music, this is audio at its most indulgent. 

WM1ZM2 Walkman® Signature Series

• Offers & Promotions

Specifications & Features

One Signature Sound

Elevating the high-resolution sound experience from one you listen to, to one you can feel.

Despite oxygen-free copper (OFC) being notoriously difficult to machine process, the WM1ZM2 features a gold-plated OFC chassis – just like its predecessor. This time though, OFC purity has been upgraded to 99.99% (four nines), offering even greater benefits in terms of audio quality and high rigidity. Bass notes are clear and powerful, the atmosphere is more expansive, and mid to high range sounds linger beautifully.

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.

Taking inspiration from the DMP-Z1, our flagship digital music player, the WM1ZM2 features an even stronger power supply than its predecessor, both in the analog block and the digital block.

Adopted as battery assist for the amplifier block, the newly developed large solid high polymer capacitor offers large capacitance and low resistance. Able to instantaneously supply large amounts of power, it can accurately output signals by preventing sudden falls in voltage. This contributes to powerful and accurate bass sound, as well as clear vocals.

Custom-made for Sony and tuned by Sony engineers, FT CAP3 is adopted for all bypass capacitors in the audio block power supply. Drawing on know-how cultivated in high-end home audio development, it has helped to improve sound expression and create a smoother sound, with a wider sound space, more transparency, and tighter bass.

An OFC milled block covers the digital block, helping both to strengthen digital ground and improve noise shielding from digital block elements such as the application processor and memory devices. The result is a clearer sound that appears to rise up from silence.

The high polymer capacitors within the WM1ZM2 are used to strengthen the power supply of the amp block for unbalanced output, enhancing low-range reproduction performance for a more expansive listening experience.

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

Replacing the conventional laminated capacitor, winding inductors in the digital block power supply contribute to a pure sound. 

To achieve the evolution in sound quality on the WM1ZM2 we not only upgraded a number of parts but also assembled them in the best possible layout.

The wiring material from the amp base to the balanced headphone jack has been upgraded to thick KIMBER KABLE®, just like on the flagship DMP-Z1 music player. This helps to shut out external noise, transmit high quality audio signals, and achieve powerful and smooth sound quality.

Two compact low-phase-noise crystal oscillators ensure precision clock stability at sampling rate multiples of 44.1kHz and 48kHz. The crystal electrode piece is formed with gold vapour deposition for enhanced electric characteristics and improved instrumental separation. This helps remove a veil and reduce noise to realise clear, open sound reproduction.

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

This is the first time Sony has used reflow solder containing gold, and it features extensively across the circuit board surface – so the overall effect is significant, including improved sound localisation and a wider sound space.

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 WM1ZM2 to the battery.

The printed circuit board uses low dielectric material to realise accurate signal transmission, while the via holes are filled with copper to further reduce impedance. The result is a wide sound space with clear, bright sound. [A] Normal via  [B] Filled via

By dividing the Audio block (highlighted in red) and the Power/Digital block (in blue), the circuit board layout has been optimised to ensure sound quality is unaffected by digital interference.

The WM1ZM2 features a range of sound processing technologies to help you get the most out of your music, whatever the source.

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital) ultra-high-frequency 1-bit audio stream. The single-bit stream delivered to the DAC has a character far closer to that of analogue, giving you even more ways to enjoy your music.

[A] Expanded audio dynamics (strings and whisper-quiet subtleties) [B] Restored high frequencies (acoustic and vocal instrument realism)

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.

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.

Our DC Phase Linearizer works to effectively replicate a wide variety of sonic signatures. It applies digital-signal processing to match the phase characteristics of various types of analog amplifier to deliver a purer, more analog-like sound. Choose from six phase character settings.

• DSD Remastering Engine
• DSEE Ultimate
• Vinyl Processor
• DC Phase Linearizer

The Walkman® features a balanced single plug, designed for the Ø4.4mm balanced connection cable. This separates left and right sound signals, while minimising signal transmission loss and resulting sound deterioration. 

Take your 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.

Supreme quality with 11.2MHz DSD native using balanced headphones and PCM 384KHz/32-bit support.

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.

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

Equipped with a bigger display and featuring larger audio components, the WM1ZM2 balances functionality with iconic style. 

Key design elements include the twin headphone jacks on the top and the intuitive side key, both inherited from its predecessor.

The OFC frame with machine carved aluminium rear contributes to the high-quality sound and creates a premium feel. In addition, the distinctive rear section – thicker and more pronounced than its predecessor – reflects the larger, superior quality audio parts that are housed within.

Every element of the WM1ZM2 is dedicated to the pure joy of music listening, right down to the volume UI, which recalls classic analog design.

• Familiar features
• Rear section

Supported by Android™ and compatible with Wi-Fi, the WM1ZM2 gives you even more freedom to enjoy music. Listen to your favourite streaming and music apps on your Walkman or connect to a PC to download tracks and playlists from your music collection.

Smooth and responsive, the large 5.0” (12.7cm) touchscreen display has been enlarged from its predecessor’s 4.0” (10.2cm) display and upgraded to HD.

Immerse yourself in your music with up to 40 hours of non-stop 96kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback.

With the Walkman® Home Screen, you can customise the home display to suit your needs.

A USB Type-C® port, compatible with USB 3.2 Gen1, offers fast music file transfer and easy connectivity with a range of devices.

With 256GB integrated memory and an SD card slot, the WM1ZM2 lets you take even the biggest music collections on the go.

Settle for nothing less than immersive excellence with the full range of Signature Series products. Designed for ultimate sound quality, they transcend audio conventions to elevate every note.

See how the desire and Personal Audio culture of our engineers inspired the creation of Signature Series.

Immerse yourself in sound all around you. As real as if you are 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 WM1ZM2 lets you enjoy 360 Reality Audio.

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 WM1ZM2 , reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our products and practices.

We believe technology should make the world more interactive, more creative, more entertaining, and more inclusive. By incorporating human-centric, inclusive design into our audio products, we deliver our Kando experience to all our users, regardless of age, ability or environment.

High-Resolution Audio compatible

Native DSD (direct stream digital) file support

S-Master HX digital amplifier for pure sound quality

Wi-Fi compatibility for downloading and streaming

256GB capacity and SD card slot

4.1 based on 8 customer reviews

Product Support

• Question & Answers

Manual Library / Sony

Sony WM-EX59

Walkman Cassette Player (1993-94)

Specifications

Type: Auto Reverse Cassette Player

Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal

Noise Reduction: B

Output: 5mW

Accessories: headphones

Remote: wired

Battery: 1 x AA

Power Supply: 1.5V DC

Dimensions: 108.8 x 77.5 x 29.7mm

Weight: 185g

Related Catalogues

Complete Range

If you have any problems opening files please read the download FAQ . All files are provided under strict licence and reproduction without prior permission or for financial gain is strictly prohibited.

If you have additional documentation please consider donating a copy to our free archive.

Sony Pocket Cassette Players

• Create new account
• Request new password

Latest Comments

• Re: Cdp-c365
• Re: Integra Dtr-30

Gallery Images

Latest Reviews

• Fisher Rs-727
• Bang And Olufsen...
• Sansui Sp-x8
• Sansui B-55
• Sony Cdp-705es

Design and Content © HiFi Engine 2006-2024

Vinyl Engine | FAQ | Site Policy | Contact