About the Sony NW-A306 Walkman®
Take hi-fi music wherever you go
Take hi-fi music wherever you go
Sony's NW-A306 is a lightweight, affordable option for those wanting to take their high-resolution tunes on the go. This portable high-res player supports just about every file type out there, and delivers natural, precise sound from your music files whether you're streaming them over Wi-Fi or listening to files stored on the device's memory. It uses high-quality internal components, a potent digital-to-analog converter, and ample processing to make your favorite music sound great.
The Sony NW-A306's sleek interface shows the track you're playing, the file type, the bit depth and bitrate, and more.
Premium internal components
Housed inside the 'A306's rigid aluminum chassis are audiophile-grade components designed for sound quality. The player features Sony's acclaimed S-Master HX amplifier designed specifically for their Walkmans. The amplification it provides is clean and full-bodied through the unbalanced headphone output. Sony even optimized the circuit board layout to further reduce noise. High-quality film capacitors on the circuit board ensure uniform frequency response and low distortion even at higher output levels. Sony even used solder with gold in it on all the internal connections to bolster the player's sound quality.
Powerful digital processing
The NW-A306 has a ton of useful processing features to help your music sound its best. The powerful digital-to-analog converter works overtime giving your tunes a nice polish, revealing more detail in the process. There's also Sony's famed Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Ultimate™, which uses artificial intelligence to upscale compressed music files like MP3s in real-time. It gives you wider dynamic range, more detail, and more clarity on otherwise lossy tracks.
A sleek operating system and interface
This player's built-in Android™ operating system makes it easy to use and especially flexible. You can download almost any music streaming app from Google Play using Wi-Fi, including Spotify®, Pandora®, TIDAL, and more. Once you're listening, the player's 3.6" touchscreen gives you plenty of real estate to see the track you're listening to, the album art, and more.
You can even select a cool, vintage-style cassette tape user interface and screen saver that harkens back to the Walkman's original portable music mojo. How the cassette tape looks depends on the kind of file codec you're listening to.
Supported file types
The NW-A306 supports high-resolution PCM-based files (like FLAC and WAV) up to 32-bit/384kHz. It's also MQA-compatible if you're a TIDAL user or if you have some purchased MQA albums on-hand. The DAC chip also supports DSD playback up to 11.2MHz for detailed sound as close to the original recording as possible.
Wireless connectivity
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are both built into the NW-A306. You can connect it to your Wi-Fi network, download your preferred streaming app, and listen away. If you have a pair of Bluetooth headphones you'd like to use, you're in luck — the 'A306 can wirelessly transmit audio and supports high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX® HD and LDAC.
Expandable memory
32GB of onboard storage might be great for a few albums, but you'll likely need more as your collection grows. You can add a microSD card to the NW-A306 to give yourself some additional space for music.
More than a day's worth of battery life
The NW-A306 can play music for quite a while before it needs recharging. Depending on what you're listening to and the volume level, you can expect to get anywhere from 26 to 36 hours of playback time before the player needs to be charged.
Onboard connections
On the bottom of the player, there's a single unbalanced 3.5mm headphone output. There's also a USB-C port for charging and connecting the NW-A306 to a computer.
Product highlights:
- plays MP3, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AAC, HE-AAC, APE, WMA, WAV, AIFF, DSD, and MQA audio files
- plays high-resolution digital music files (PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz; DSD files up to 11.2MHz)
- supports MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio files
- supports Sony's 360 Reality Audio format
- Android-supported Wi-Fi for streaming and directly downloading using popular music apps
- supported apps include Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and Apple Music
- 32GB internal flash memory
- microSD card slot accepts microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC cards (available separately) for expanded storage
- 3.6" color touchscreen display (1280 x 720 pixels)
- built-in Bluetooth supports Sony's LDAC high-fidelity streaming codec
- Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Ultimate restores high-frequency signals to compressed digital formats like MP3 for more natural, expansive sound
- S-Master HX amplification offers accurate, detailed playback of high-resolution music files
- selectable audio effects, including a 10-band equalizer and Vinyl Processor
- Dynamic Normalizer equalizes the volume between tracks for consistent output
- selectable DC Phase Linearizer digitally replicates the sound of different analog amplifiers
- Cassette Tape UI makes the LCD screen resemble an old-school cassette Walkman player
- standard 3.5mm minijack stereo headphone output (unbalanced)
- high-speed USB Type-A to Type-C cable for charging and file transfer
- built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 36 hours of playback
- battery recharges from 0% to 100% in about 3-1/2 hours
- durable milled aluminum chassis
- 2-1/4"W x 3-7/8"H x 1/2"D
- weight: 3.9 oz.
- warranty: 1 year
- MFR # NWA306/B
What's in the box:
Sony NW-A306 Walkman® owner's manual
- Digital music player
- 20" USB cable (USB-A on one end and USB-C on other end)
- Operating Instructions
- Reference Guide
- Warranty sheet
- Hearing Safety brochure
- Recycling note
Customer reviews for Sony NW-A306 Walkman®
Loading...
Loading reviews...
Average review:
3.5 out of 5 starsThanks for submitting your review
Customer photos
This review was collected as part of a promotion
Pros:
Cons:
More details on the Sony NW-A306 Walkman®
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Sony NW-A306 is a Walkman A-series digital music player, capable of playing high-resolution audio files up to 32-bit / 384kHz. The NW-A306 has Wi-Fi for direct downloads, and Bluetooth Audio Streaming. The device is equipped with a 3.5mm mini jack output for headphones. The unit features a 3.6" high-definition LCD screen, and an internal 32 GB flash memory. You can add even more memory by inserting an optional microSD card.
Supported Audio Formats: The NW-A306 Hi-Res Walkman can support multiple digital audio formats:
| MP3 (.mp3) | 32-320 kbps (incl. VBR) at 32, 44.1, and 48 kHz |
|---|---|
| WMA (.wma) | 32-320 kbps (incl. VBR) at 44.1 kHz (Stereo) 32-48 kbps at 44.1 kHz (Mono) |
| FLAC (.flac) | 16-bit, 24-bit at 8 kHz - 384 kHz |
| WAV (.wav) | 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit at 8 kHz - 384 kHz |
| AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp) | 16-320 kbps at 8 kHz - 48 kHz |
| HE-AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp) | 32-144 kbps at 8 kHz - 48 kHz |
| Apple Lossless (.mp4, .m4a) | 16-bit, 24-bit at 8 kHz - 384 kHz |
| AIFF (.aif, .aiff, .afc, .aifc) | 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit at 8 kHz - 384 kHz |
| DSD (.dsf, .dff) | 1 bit at 2.8224, 5.6448, and 11.2896 MHz |
| APE (.ape) | 8-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit at 8 kHz - 192 kHz (Fast, Normal, High) |
| MQA (.mqa.flac) | Supported |
Construction: The NW-A306 is precision-engineered and constructed with high-quality materials and components for superior sound quality. It has a rigid aluminum milled frame which shields the internal circuitry from electrical noise. Internally, the NW-A306 uses high quality film capacitors in the amplification stage, helping the unit to deliver powerful bass and wide expansive instrumentals and vocals. To minimize signal loss, the circuit board uses audio-grade, lead-free solder with a small amount of gold for optimal signal transfer.
Side-mounted Controls: The unit has a row of physical controls along the right edge of the player. Buttons include music playback controls (play/pause, skip forward (hold down for fast forward), skip backward (hold down for fast rewind), Volume up, Volume down, and Power. A sliding Hold switch locks the playback operating buttons and volume controls to avoid accidental commands.
Display: The digital audio player has a high-definition 3.6" TFT color display (1280 x 720 pixels) with touch screen controls. The unit even features a special Cassette Tape playback screen to commemorate the Sony Walkman portable music player.
Android Operating System: The user interface of the NW-A306 is supported by Android 12.0. You can set up a Google Account, or use an existing account, to use services provided by Google. When connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can purchase music content, including hi-res audio, from other online music services. The Home Screen has a "dock" for displaying shortcuts. Swiping up from the bottom of the screen displays the All Apps screen. The unit features the following pre-installed apps:
- Music Player: The Music Player app lets you play music content stored on the player, either transferred from your computer or purchased from online music services.
- Sound Adjustment: This app lets you adjust the sound coming from the headphone outputs. This app is particularly useful when playing music from apps other than Music Player.
- Sony Headphones Connect: Headphones Connect is used for registering and setting up your headphones.
Memory: The NW-A306 has a 32 GB built-in internal memory for storing your high-resolution music files. If more storage is needed, there is a slot for an optional microSD memory card. Based on an average of 4 minutes per song, the built-in memory can hold the following number of songs:
| NW-A306 (32 GB) | |
|---|---|
| MP3 (128 kbps) | 4,900 songs |
| AAC (256 kbps) | 2,400 songs |
| FLAC (44.1 kHz/16-bit) | 440 songs |
| FLAC (96 kHz/24-bit) | 130 songs |
| FLAC (192kHz/24-bit) | 60 songs |
| DSD (2.8224 MHz/1-bit) | 110 songs |
Wi-Fi: You can connect the NW-A306 to a Wi-Fi network to download music to the player, stream music, and update the system software. The device works on either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, and uses WEP/WPA/WPA2 encryption.
Bluetooth: With built-in Bluetooth 5.0, you can stream your music files wirelessly from compatible devices up to 30 feet away. The NW-A306 supports LDAC, which uses the conventional Bluetooth connection, but transfers data at up to 999 kbps. That's three times the transfer rate of other audio profiles, which results in higher fidelity. In addition, the unit supports aptX, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC.
Sound Quality Settings: You can adjust the sound quality with the following Sound Quality Settings:
- 10-band Equalizer/EQ Presets: You can adjust the sound at 10 individual EQ bands at 31Hz, 62Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz, 8kHz, and 16kHz. The adjustment can be made from -10 to +10dB, and saved as Custom 1, Custom 2, or Custom 3 presets.
- DSEE Ultimate™: DSEE Ultimate uses an algorithm to analyze the music, and automatically replace the "lost" information. DSEE Ultimate (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) gives your highly-compressed music files new life so they sound almost as good as true Hi-Res Audio quality. DSEE Ultimate can be turned on or off, as desired.
- DC Phase Linearizer: This function makes low frequency phase characteristics more similar to a traditional analog amplifier. It can be turned on/off, as desired.
- Dynamic Normalizer: The Dynamic Normalizer can moderate the change in volume between tracks to minimize the difference in volume level. It can be turned on/off , as desired.
- Vinyl Processor: The Vinyl Processor can add the character of vinyl recordings to your digital recordings with subtle reproduction of the low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resonance, and surface noise.
- Direct Source: This setting lets you turn off the above sound adjustments and activate the Direct Source function. The current file's original sound quality is heard without any audio processing. The "Direct" toggle switch icon can be found on any of the above Sound Quality Setting pages.
Rechargeable Battery: The NW-A306 has a built-in Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery for exceptional stamina. After a 3.5-hour full recharging time (via USB power), the unit's estimated battery life is as follows:
| Music Format | Approximate Battery Life (when using "Music Player") |
|---|---|
| MP3 128 kbps | 36 hours (26 hours w/o Music Player) |
| AAC 256 kbps | 36 hours |
| WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit | 36 hours |
| FLAC 96kHz/24-bit | 32 hours |
| FLAC 192kHz/24-bit | 32 hours |
| DSD 2.8224 MHz/1-bit | 28 hours |
| DSD 5.6448 MHz/1-bit | 22 hours |
| DSD 11.2896 MHz/1-bit | 14 hours |
| Bluetooth MP3 128 kbps | 21 hours (18 hours w/o Music Player) |
| Bluetooth FLAC 96kHz/24-bit | 11 hours |
USB-C Port / System Requirements: The side-mounted USB-C port lets you connect the player to your computer for charging the battery, and transferring music content (using the included USB Type A to USB-C cable). Downloadable software is available for use with the NW-A306: Music Center for PC (Windows 11, Windows 10) or Android File Transfer for Mac (macOS 10.7 and higher).
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 40 kHz
- Maximum Power Output: 0.4 - 1.1mW (32Ω)
- Dimensions: Width 2.196", Height 3.876", Depth 0.474"
- Weight: 3.99 ounces
Loading...
Loading accessories...
Customer Q&A
11 questions already asked
Loading...
Loading articles...
