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Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman® High-resolution portable digital music player with Bluetooth®

Item # 158NWWM1A

The finely crafted Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman delivers exceptional high-resolution sound.

The finely crafted Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman delivers exceptional high-resolution sound.

3 questions - 6 answers

Item # 158NWWM1A

Shop all Sony Portable High-res Music Players

About the Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman®

Ralph Graves

Outstanding sound quality to go

The Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman is a finely crafted portable audio player that delivers exceptional high-resolution sound. The aluminum alloy frame resists electrical noise. Inside, the oxygen-free copper cables ensure low signal distortion.

Outstanding sound quality to go

Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman

The player features balanced output for high-performance headphones (not included).

The Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman is a finely crafted portable audio player that delivers exceptional high-resolution sound. The aluminum alloy frame resists electrical noise. Inside, the oxygen-free copper cables ensure low signal distortion.

The ‘WM1A features an advanced digital-to-analog converter that decodes high-res files in their native resolution. You'll enjoy richly detailed, spacious, better-than-CD sound. (You can download high-res tunes from sites like HDtracks).

Great for both high- and low-resolution files

The 'WM1A is compatible with high-res DSD files up to 11.2MHz and PCM-based files up to 32-bit/384kHz. It can handle Apple Lossless, FLAC, WAV, and other high-res formats.

And for compressed formats, like MP3s, Sony's Digital Sound Enhancement Engine can help them sound fuller. With a high-performance set of headphones, you'll discover new details in music you've heard many times before.

In addition to its stereo 3.5mm minijack output, the ‘WM1Z features a 4.4mm balanced output for the best possible sound with compatible high-performance headphones.

Bluetooth® compatible for wireless listening

For wireless listening, the 'WM1A features built-in Bluetooth. Stream music to your favorite Bluetooth speaker. The 'WM1A offers LDAC Hi-Fidelity wireless music streaming to compatible products.

A personal high-resolution audio system

To hear this Premium Walkman at its very best, pair it with Sony's Signature series over-ear MDR-Z1R headphones powered by the separate Sony TA-ZH1ES headphone amp.

High-res audio on the road

Interested in using this high-res player in your car or truck? You'll want to check out Sony's impressive RSX-GS9 high-res digital media receiver, part of their High Resolution Audio System — a series of incredibly advanced speakers, amps, and subs optimized for high-res performance.

READ LESS

Product highlights:

  • plays MP3, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, WMA, DSD, and LPCM audio files
  • plays high-resolution digital music files (PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz; DSD files up to 5.6MHz)
  • microSD card slot accepts microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC cards (available separately)
    • 128GB internal flash memory
  • 4" color touchscreen display (854 x 480 pixels)
  • Bluetooth-compatible with LDAC Hi-Fidelity wireless music streaming
  • NFC touch pairing with compatible devices
  • Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) 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
  • oxygen-free copper cables for low distortion
  • minijack headphone output (3.5mm)
  • balanced 4.4mm output
  • high-speed USB 2.0 port
  • rechargeable battery provides up to 33 hours of playback
  • USB 2.0-compliant cable included for file transfer and battery charging
  • leather wrist strap
  • 2-7/8"W x 4-7/8"H x 3/4"D
  • weight: 9.42 oz.
  • warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
  • MFR # NWWM1A

What's in the box:

  • Portable digital music player
  • 42" WM-port to USB cable
  • Wrist-strap
  • Instruction Manual
  • Setup Guide
  • "Listening For a Lifetime" booklet
  • Warranty Information
  • "Signature Series" brochure

Customer reviews for Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman®

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More details on the Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman®

Mark G.

Product Research

Features

Hi-Res Walkman (Signature Series): The Sony Signature Series NW-WM1A Hi-Res Walkman is built with an aluminum frame and tailored electrical components for high quality, dynamic sound from high resolution music files. The newly developed FT CAP (high polymer capacitor) works to regulate power flow, optimizing it for instant, clean power when needed. MEL type resistors are utilized to reduce noise and minimize distortion in the audio signal path. A low-resistance Oxygen-free Copper cable offers low distortion and superior channel separation.

Sony Audio Technologies: The Sony Signature Series NW-WM1A Hi-Res Walkman incorporates several Sony audio technologies for an uncompromised listening experience.

  • S-Master HX Headphone Amplifier: The NW-WM1A's S-Master HX digital headphone amp cuts distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies for rich, full-bodied sound. It features an unbalanced 3.5mm (1/8") and the new 4.4mm JEITA stereo balanced headphone jack to connect a set of headphones (sold separately). Thanks to the 4.4mm balanced headphone jack, noise picked up from the wire to the amplifier is reduced - resulting in superior sound & clarity.
  • DC Phase Linearizer: Sony's 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 setting.
  • DSEE-HX Upscaling Technology: DSEE HX upscaling technology uses an algorithm to analyze your music and replace any lost information, so that the quality is almost high-resolution level. Choose from four modes (Female, Male, Strings, or Percussions) to bring out the best in your music.

Supported Audio Formats: The NW-WM1A Hi-Res Walkman supports the very latest 32bit/384kHz PCM and Native DSD (up to 11.2MHz) playback to help retain all the authentic detail of the original recording. It also supports playback of a variety of other high resolution and compressed audio files.

Resolution Type File Format File Extension Bit Depth or Bit Rate Sampling Frequency
Hi-Res FLAC .flac 16, 24-bit 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
Linear PCM .wav 16, 24, 32-bit 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
Apple Lossless m4a, .mp4 16, 24-bit 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
AIFF aif, .aiff, .afc, .aifc 16, 24, 32-bit 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
DSD dsf, .dff 1-bit 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896 MHz
Compressed MP3 .mp3 32 kbps to 320 kbps 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
WMA .wma 32 kbps to 192 kbps 44.1 kHz
AAC .mp4, .m4a, .3gp 16 kbps to 320 kbps 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
HE-AAC .mp4, .m4a, 3gp 32 kbps to 144 kbps 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
Notes:
  • This unit recognizes audio sources exceeding CD quality (44.1 kHz/16-bit quantization) and DAT quality (48 kHz/16-bit quantization) as High-Resolution Audio.
  • Files that are 4 GB or larger cannot be played back.

Built-in & Expandable Memory: The NW-WM1A has a 128 GB internal memory and offers expandable storage capacity through its microSD card slot and a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC memory card (sold separately). Cards up to 128 GB are compatible. Using a higher capacity memory card may work, but isn't guaranteed.

128 GB Internal Memory

File Type Number of Songs
MP3 (128 kbps) 20,000 songs
AAC (256 kbps) 15,000 songs
FLAC (44.1 kHz/16-bit) 2,800 songs
FLAC (96 kHz/24-bit) 860 songs
FLAC (192 kHz/24-bit) 430 songs
DSD (2.8224 MHz/1-bit) 700 songs
DSD (5.6448 MHz/1-bit) 350 songs
DSD (11.2896 MHz/1-bit) 170 songs
Note: The approximate times are based on the case in which you transfer or record only 4 minute songs

Transferring Content via Windows & Mac: The Sony NW-WM1A is compatible with Windows PC and Mac computers through free downloadable software. Download Media Go onto your Windows PC running 10, 8.1, 8, 8, 7, or Vista. Download Content Transfer onto Mac computer or laptop running MAC OS X 10.8 - 10.11.

  • Media Go (Windows): Media Go is software for Windows PC (use the latest version of Media Go). You can use Media Go to perform the following operations - Importing content (such as music) from CDs or online services to a computer, organizing and managing the content (such as creating playlists), & transferring content on a computer (including iTunes) to the Walkman.
  • Content Transfer (Mac): Content Transfer is software for Mac computers (use the latest version of Content Transfer). You can transfer content that you manage with iTunes or Finder. You can simply drag-and-drop the tracks or albums to transfer them to the Walkman.

4" Touchscreen: The Sony NW-WM1A Walkman features a high-quality 4" (854 x 480) capacitive touchscreen with an intuitive interface for browsing, selection, and playback of your music library. The 3" touchscreen will also display song/artist/album information, along with album art (when applicable). In addition to touchscreen control, the NW-WM1A offers hard-key push-buttons on the side of the Walkman - including Power, Volume, Play/Pause, Skip, & Hold.

  • Playback Screen: You can control playback operations from the playback screen. You can also configure various settings for playback. Playback functions include Play/Pause, Fast Forward/Rewind, Previous/Next Track, Repeat, Shuffle, Bookmark, and Playlist.
  • Library Screen: You can select tracks from the library screen. Tracks are classified into various categories (such as Songs, Album, Artist, Genre, Composer, etc.).
  • Lineup Screen: You can check the list of tracks that the Walkman will play with the current settings.
  • Bookmark List: You can add your favorite tracks to bookmark lists. Up to 10 bookmark lists are available. Up to 999 tracks can be added to a bookmark list

Playlists: You can collect your favorite tracks and save them as playlists on the Walkman. Playlists can be saved either in the internal memory of the Walkman or on a microSD card (sold separately). You cannot add a track from the internal memory to a playlist on the microSD card or vice-versa. Up to 999 tracks can be added to a playlist.

SensMe Channels: The SensMe Channels function automatically groups tracks by theme. You can play tracks to suit your mood, current activity, the time of day, and more. To use the SensMe Channels function on the Walkman, tracks must be analyzed by Media Go before you transfer the tracks.

Lyric Information: If you transfer tracks with lyrics information, you can view the lyrics on the Walkman. There are two methods of inputting lyrics information - adding lyrics to a track using Media Go or creating lyrics in a text file (an LRC file). Both of the methods above must be performed on a computer. Add lyrics on the computer, and then transfer the tracks to the Walkman.

Sound Quality Settings: The Sony NW-WM1A offers a variety of sound quality settings to suit your type of music content and preferences.

  • Equalizer: You can adjust the player's 10-band EQ and save 3 custom EQ presets.
  • Dynamic Normalizer: You can moderate the change in volume between tracks to minimize differences in volume level.
  • AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System): The AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System) function reduces the risk of damage to ears from loud volumes. Using AVLS limits the maximum volume. AVLS does not work while there is an active Bluetooth connection.

Bluetooth Audio Streaming: With built-in Bluetooth 4.2 and support for A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) & AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile), you can stream your music files wirelessly from the Sony NW-WM1A Walkman to a Bluetooth-enabled speaker, headphone, receiver, or amplifier. You are able to control basic playback functions such as Play/Pause & Previous/Next Track (if supported by speaker, headphone, receiver or amplifier). The NW-WM1A has a wireless Bluetooth range of approximately 32.8'.

  • NFC: In addition to SSP (Simple Secure Pairing), the NW-WM1A offers NFC (Near-Field Communication) pairing. Bluetooth-enabled receivers, speakers, headphones and amplifiers that have the NFC function can be paired with the Walkman, by simply touching the back of the Walkman to the device's NFC logo. You can pair the Walkman with a maximum of 7 devices.
  • LDAC: In addition to support for Bluetooth standard SBC codec, the NW-WM1A also supports Sony's newest LDAC codec. LDAC is a new audio technology from Sony that allows you to enjoy high quality wireless audio via Bluetooth. With 3x the data transmitted (compared to regular Bluetooth), LDAC provides an enhanced wireless listening experience for all your music.

USB Mass Storage mode: The Sony NW-WM1A can be set to USB Mass Storage mode so it can easily be recognized by your computer or laptop through the player's WM-Port and cable.

Rechargeable Battery: The NW-WM1A's built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery lets you enjoy up to 33 hours of highly compressed MP3 (128kbps) music playback or 26 hours of Hi-Res FLAC (192kHz/24-bit) music playback. Using its WM-Port and the included cable, you can charge the NW-WM1A by plugging it into a free USB (type-A) port on your computer or laptop. You can also charge it from a USB/AC power adapter (sold separately). A full charge takes approximately 7 hours.

Content Type Battery Playback Time
MP3 (128 kbps)  33 hours
AAC (256 kbps)  31 hours
FLAC (96 kHz/24-bit) 30 hours
FLAC (192 kHz/24-bit)  26 hours
DSD 2.8224 MHz/1-bit  15 hours
DSD 5.6448 MHz/1-bit 13 hours
Bluetooth (SBC) 17 hours
Bluetooth (LDAC)  15 hours
Note: You can increase battery life by reducing the screen brightness, adjusting all sound quality settings to off, turning off Bluetooth & NFC, as well as shutting off noise cancellation.

Software Update: You can update the software of the Walkman through Media Go or the Sony eSupport site on your computer. Download the software update onto your computer, connect the Walkman to your computer via USB, and transfer the update to the Walkman.

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
Does anyone know how to take this unit out of demo mode?
kev  Jul 20, 2019
1 answer
A
I never saw a demo mode. I would try a reset, which is available from the bottom menu tab right end, go to system, then reset.
allen  Jul 20, 2019
Q
Does this unit include instructions or solutions which would allow me to transfer my entire itunes library into it? If so, it would greatly affect my willingness to purchase it. If not, I would likely forget about it. I have already tried this with another unit and it was awful. The transfer ended up screwing up and totally destroying the organization of my library, and, as well, it also ended up clipping a lot of my songs, as well as totally erasing many of my albums. So I would like to know details regarding 'what' is entailed if it is in fact possible with this unit. Thanks.
carl  Mar 02, 2019
4 answers
A
Depending on how you organize your library, it could be as simple as copying the contents of your iTunes folder to the player. In my experience, it has worked quite well as a drag and drop sort of device. I mainly used the folder navigation function rather than relying on the albums in the main menu. Overall, the operation of this device is very simple and straightforward.
vladimir  Mar 13, 2019
A
I had the same situation. Over 100 albums I created in iTunes for my iPod classic.You install software on your PC and you a drag and drop to your software for the Walkman. I kept the iTunes because I have the library on a iPhone as well. The Walkman actually made the iTunes files sound better than they did on the iPod classic. I know the the Walkman is pricey but I use it a lot with my Sennheiser HD-598 headphone and enjoy it greatly. Let me know if you have more questions.
norman  Mar 11, 2019
A
It is very easy to transfer music to the Sony WM1A. Go into your music folder and find your music files. You can just copy and then paste them onto the micro SD in your Sony, or even copy them to the micro SD card and then put the card into the Sony. It will create a new database by song, album, and artist. You can also drag the files into the Sony using the Content Transfer utility, but I use that for individual albums, not for a large transfer of a whole library. I use a 512Gig micro SD card and it works great. You can play all your Itunes music, but for new music I prefer to download FLAC files from HDTracks or Acoustic Sounds. This takes full advantage of the quality of the player.
david  Mar 11, 2019
A
I didn't have any issues transferring my entire iTunes library to the player. It was a simple drag and drop of the files from my iTunes Music folder to the player's folder once I plugged the player into my mac. I didn't experience any loss of songs or my album/track/artist organization (like I've experienced in the past w/ a player of a different brand). So far I'm extremely happy with the unit. Hope this helps...
rodrick  Mar 11, 2019
Q
What is the ideal headphones to pair with Sony NW-WM1A Premium Walkman?
bill  Dec 10, 2017
1 answer
A
There's too many compatible models to list them all here. For additional assistance and personalized recommendations, feel free to contact us directly by phone or through our online chat service: https://www.crutchfield.com/support/ContactUs.aspx
ryan  Dec 13, 2017 (Staff)

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