Shinigami

Flash players are actually hard to kill. The biggest problem potential is the battery. There's some possibility that other components might short out if the unit is energized when it is submerged, but generally speaking, the components are robust enough that this should not be a problem. If this happened to me, I would flush the unit with distilled water, and then dry it out in a warm place (like a sunny windowsill) for 3-4 days. Then, connect to the computer and allow it to charge (you'll know right away if it can work, it should be recognized as a device and show a connection status). 90% of the time, if the submersion is in fresh water (not salt water) the units will revive. If the unit were still dead after the above procedure, only then would I send it in for service. I would be prepared for a strong possibility that the service center will reset the unit and format the memory- assuming they don't simply replace it for you.

I believe the point I was making was, that none are made in Japan. The ones I have seen sold in Japan are made in China. Like, seemingly, just about everything else- excepting Swiss watches.

This was the only disappointment I had with these buds. I actually have two NW-S706F's (set up with different music in each) and when I used to use the included buds, the ring on one of the buds went after about a week. I looked for a replacement at a Yodobashi in Shinjuku, but none were available. The ring helps with a trivial amount of noise blocking, and also helped keep the buds in the correct position in the ear. Now I exclusively use Shure SE530 IEM's which have superior noise isolation, and much better SQ than any buds. But as a package and for the price (areound $220 USD at the time I bought them) the 706 with the included phones is hard to beat. The Shures alone are nearly $500.00 USD.

Maybe you need better IEM's! I can't handle the volume on my 808 above 15 with either my Shure E4c's or my Shure SE530's, 13 is my normal setting when in a plane or on a train. The other day I was standing on the JR platform at Kakegawa with my SE530's and my 808 set to 14 listening to some Steely Dan when the Nozomi Shinkansen went by at full speed. Never heard a thing- would not have even looked up if I had not felt it coming. Even with the stock buds, 20 is as much as I can stand. And with a set of cheap MDR-G74's 20-21 is max for me. With that said, my NW-S706F does have a slightly warmer sound. But the 808 isn't lacking at all in audio volume or quality in my opinion. By the way, I have only seen "made in China" units at Yodobashi stores in Tokyo and Osaka. Never seen a made in Japan example. Do these actually exist?

Interesting thread! I have two JP NW-S706f's, and recently acquired an EU spec A808. With either my Shure E4c's or my Shure SE530's there is no doubt that there are substantial differences between the 706 and 808, differences that are in favor of the 706 if you are used to that sound (and I have well over a thousand hours listening time on the 706). I might also point out there are subtle differences between my 706's, one has a different overall tonality than the other with the same tracks and firmware. I therefore feel different units of the same device sometimes have component differences that can be picked up by a discerning ear. I was initially very disappointed with the 808- there was a disturbing noise artifact during track transitions that appeared related to the use of EQ and/or display pop-up. However, I was able to upgrade the firmware and this completely took care of the issue. The dynamic normalizer on the 808 causes an odd "seeking" effect on the front end of some mp3 encoded tracks with long and low fade-ins compared to the one on the 706. The sound is much fuller and there is considerably more bass punch on the 706 no matter how much I fiddle with eq. However, all those delightful extra little details you can find in your library with something like an SE530 are perhaps even a bit more accessible with the 808. With all of this said, the 808 is perfectly satisfying to listen to- it has a different signature than the 706 and less bottom end punch, but it is still eminently listenable, especially compared to any Crapple product. I also noticed that the volume levels on both 808 and 706 are virtually identical- in other words, sp at a volume of say, 12, with the SE530's, is identical on both units. And with the 530's you are in 10-seconds-to-ear-bleed territory with the 808 at anything past about 18. So while it does run out of steam with the stock ear-buds past a certain point, it has more than an excess of power for a high-end IEM.

The REALLY interesting accessories are coming out later this week in Japan, Sony will release the tiny Bluetooth transmitter for the S-70X and the compact Bluetooth headphones. This adds about 1.5 cm to the length of the S-70x (connects at the WM-port) but wirelessly transmits to the 'phones, which are a compact Streetstyle type. The phones were already in stock when I left Japan last week, but Nov 17 was the release date announced for the BT transmitter. All the other accessories, audio record cable, docking stand, armband, chain and leather type neck straps, clear plastic clip, and leather case were all readily available. I find myself using the clip most of all.

I cannot understand Sony's apparent reluctance to supply the highest end models to the US market. There's a HUGE difference with the 4GB model in terms of utility, I would certainly have bought it here instead of Japan if it were available.

Not true. The phones use a special keyed pin with two extra contacts over a normal miniplug, at least in the case of my Japan-purchased 4GB gold NW-S706. The phones are very comfortable and much more effective at noise supression than previous Sony NC phones I have owned. I first noticed this when using them on the JR Line in Tokyo. On my first long trip with the unit, a Nozomi Shinkansen run from Tokyo to Nagoya and back a couple days ago (window seat), I found them nearly as effective as my (foam-equipped) Shure E4C canalphones in terms of noise isolation, and 90% of the Shures in reproduction. However they were notably more comfortable than my Shures, as well as much faster to insert. On my return flight from Narita to the US yesterday, sitting in a window seat just behind the engine on a 777, I did find the Shures provide more isolation at higher noise levels. However, on the second leg of my flight, first-class in a 757, the included phones were more than adequate and as noted, more comfortable. Also a lot stealthier and less bulky than the big Bose NC phones nearly everyone else in the cabin was using As for battery life, I (accidentally) kept the unit running continuously from a full charge for a bit over 30 hours, from when I left Japan to when I arrived home in the USA and a subsequent 8 hours sleep. Running this way, with volume at 19, NC in the on position, and 60% ATRAC files at 128 or higher encodes, and 40% MP3 at high-rate encodes, in shuffle mode, the unit still had 1/4 remaining on the battery meter when I noticed it was on. I suppose it bears mentioning that the FM frequencies on the receiver side of the unit are not too useful in the USA unless you enjoy NPR Might try to flash the firmware from a Euro unit once an update is released.

If you look at the file directory of the included software CD for the NW-S706F I bought in Shinjuku last week, you will find English and a bunch of other full PDF manuals for the device, not just Japanese.