Review on 🎧 SONY NW-WM1Z Signature Series Hi-Res Walkman (International Version/Seller Warranty) - Premium Quality by Adam Roman

If you've ever bought a Leica M camera and know and expect an exceptional experience from the moment you touch the packaging and pierce the shrink wrap, then this is it that's the only comparison I can think of. The Walkman brand has always been special to me, growing up with this invention in my youth that forever changed the way we listened to music on the go. This particular Walkman is unlike anything I've come across in my audiophile years, including some of the world's best headphones the revered Sony R10s, the Stax 009 and the original Sennheiser Orpheus electrostatic headphones. I have had many portable audio systems including AK380 with Shure, AKG, Sennheiser and still have a few custom JH Audio IEMs (JH13, 16 and a few Layla). Let me just say that after Sony's 200 hour burn-in period using a pair of matching EIR-Z1 Signature Series headphones with the included 4.4mm balanced cable with the new TRRS connector, I've never heard anything like it especially when using MQA or a similar quality DSD master recording in native mode (don't worry about PCM if DSD isn't available). I'll never understand how they did it, but the synergy between the two is just amazing. Beg, borrow, or steal (just kidding about the latter), but if you can afford it, you won't regret it. You'll understand why it's that way once you touch it and learn how to test it. I have not tried this Walkman and will never listen to it with any other headphones or IEMs. It's unthinkable after you've experienced them the way they wanted to be heard. Don't worry about BT either - LDAC exists because it kind of doesn't exist, but it's like a Happy Meal in a Rolls Royce: you can do it, but you really shouldn't want to be seen doing it. It works great by the way, I tested it on my iPhone 11 Pro with Qobuz Hi-Res PCM in receiver mode, but that's not the real purpose of this device. This is a future classic of the Signature Walkman, a real product designed by some of the audio industry's finest engineers. I'm happy to be a part of it and it's a memory I'll always remember fondly as I see I've been using it for many years. One more thing: don't settle for the included leather case if I had to blame Sony for including such a ridiculously designed and relatively cheap leather case with this device. Get a Dignis case from Moon Audio - no relation but I did - they stock them in the US for a very good price. An additional $100 gives this beauty the style and quality she deserves to be displayed and carried around. And yes, it's an exceptionally heavy Walkman, but you'll see why it has to be. Have fun and thank me later.