Sony has never stopped making the Walkman, and its new flagship is the most extreme one yet. The Sony Walkman NW-WM1ZM3 is machined from 99.99 percent pure oxygen-free copper, then gold-plated.
This generation extends the copper to the rear chassis, which was aluminum on the outgoing model. Even the screws get a low-resistance gold plating. Inside, Sony uses KIMBER KABLE wiring and dual solid high-polymer capacitors. Its S-Master HX amp gains a DSD remastering engine that now works over Wi-Fi streaming.
The copper adds up to 670 grams, or just shy of a pound and a half. You also get a 5.5-inch Full HD touchscreen and Android 16. Storage is 256GB with microSD expansion, and outputs include 4.4mm balanced plus 3.5mm. Battery life is rated at 35 hours for MP3 playback and 31 hours while streaming.
It costs $5,899 and is up for pre-order now through Sony, B&H and Crutchfield. Two cheaper siblings join it: the NW-WM1AM3 at $2,999.99 and the NW-ZX900 at $1,899.99. If wired listening is your thing, my Nothing Headphone (a) review is a good place to start. I would take the Sony Walkman NW-WM1ZM3 over a phone for serious listening.
