Zizone_

Umm, I'd say wait a bit... Because NW-A800 series is not the only "news" in near future. In other words, there is more to wait for.

Ahh, sorry he meant NW-S705... Sorry, I thought he said NW-S706F my mistake...

I think US Sonystyle.com just sells NW-S703 and NW-S705. Because, I remember buying NW-S706F from Japan for me and for my friend, because US didn't sell one.

I am not an expert at this issue, but try installing SonicStage 4.3.

You can edit your play lists with you NW-A1000/3000. If you want to delete your song from your playlist but not deleting your song from player completely, play the song by accessing playlist. Then hit option key and you will see an option to delete song from playlist only. If you are still confuse then let me know.

I didn't visit German Connect to confirm this, but this is great to hear if this is true. I am wondering why Japanese don't have Connect but Mora. Not that I am saying Mora is bad but the music is some what limited. I personally don't download music and just buy CDs, but if they allow ATRAC Advanced Lossless download, then I might reconsider, maybe... But still, I think CD is better in every aspect (nice booklets, limited editions and bonus stuffs which are usually provided when CDs are bought from Japan).

MDR-EX90 and MDR-NC022 both have 13.5mm driver unit, yet their difference in sound quality is noticeable. MDR-NC022 seems to give more like a "vacuum" sort of feeling, yet MDR-EX90 feels more open. MDR-EX90 does give better separation and I hear few notes that are not heard using MDR-NC022. I recommed MDR-NC022 under noisy environment, where it will give better sound experience. But when you are in somewhat quite to medium environment, MDR-EX90 should give higher quality sound. So, both are good earphones. Just fact that MDR-EX90 delivers top-notch sound while MDR-NC022 can provide NC function with good sound quality. Just like we all know, it is really hard to describe sound experience by words until you hear it. I hope this helps.

Edited on 2007/2/22

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't the gapless issue only relevant to lossy compression format? Since the NW-S700 series support linear PCM playback, I believe it supports gapless play back of linear PCM

Actually, all my Walkman collection works fine. Hmm... My first MD player, which I bought in 1996 or 1997 (uses ATRAC, not ATRAC3 era), still works. Not that I use it now... Anyway, I never had my DAP dieing on me from Sony. In fact, I never had anyother DAP from different maker breaking down either (Panasonic, AIWA). Anyway, it seems like you need DAP with large capacity... but if you want really nice sound quality, try NW-S706 with MDR-EX90 earphones; you won't regret this choice.

I, too, strongly recommend using MDR-EX90 earphones with NW-S700 series. You won't be able to use Noise Cancelling with this pair, but you can truly unlock the sound quality with EX90 (greatly reduced hissing noise from the supplied noise canceling earphones, which is not from the player itself, and better separation). Lastly, NW-S700 series support ATRAC Advanced Lossless and linear PCM playback.

Yep. Sony Japan site shows that NW-S70X series can play back true ATRAC Advanced Loss and PCM. Well... I am using one so I know

Actually, if you play ATRAC Advanced Lossless on NW-S70X series, you play lossless NOT lossy. In fact, the device shows ATRAC Advanced Lossless format. In addition, the file size on the player is somewhere over 30mb (depending on song ofcourse) so it is infact really a lossless you are playing on NW-S706F.

Do you carry NW-S205F in a pocket with someother electronics? Because, I used to have this problem with NW-E407. When I carried with my car remote key in a same pocket with NW-E407, the player turned off in a middle of a song. When I took a key away, the problme was solved. I think this is because the U.S. law enforces any devices to accept interferences that may even lead to undesirable effects. Anyway, if you carry more than 1 devices in a pocket or so, try to remove one of the electronic. If this is not the case, then as Stuge said contact Sony.

Lately, there were many complaints regarding to light static noise that occurs about every 10 seconds. I noticed that the static sound occurs just at the moment when the display is turned on from when it was off. So, let's say the song is playing. Then about every 10 seconds, there is a screen saver with some bubbles; this is when I hear a static sound. To get rid of this static, turn off the screen saver: Menu>Settings>Advanced Settings>Power Save Mode>Save ON SUPER. I believe the only difference between the Save On Normal and Super is the screen saver. Now, the other way of getting static sound is when you hit a button thus turning on the display from off. So, while to song is playing, just enjoy the song without pressing a button. To be clear, having display on does not make static sound. It is only the moment when the display is being turned on from off. This method does not fix the hissing sound, however, it should prevent static sounds from occurring. I hope this is helpful to everyone. If I am unclear, please let me know. Thanks.

Edit: 2007年1月27日 (1/27/07) Method of getting rid of static noise, and Summary and Conclusion has been added.

I don't think its a player issue. I think all NW-S20X series, regardless of version, are capable in displaying kanji. I think it's a windows issue... Seek advise from Ishiyoshi (site admin). I believe he has an answer to your question.

I am using Japanese SS 4.2 for NW-S203F and NW-S706F, and I don't have problem seeing kanji on my player. Are you using Japanese Windows?

Yeah, I also noticed this static sound is evident in most flash based players. The static is bearable unless I am listening to some soft rock or classic. However, in most cases the static in my player doesn't bother me (only when I am in a very quiet place). Sony should fix this issue immediately on next Walkmans. But still, the NW-S706F has very nice sound quality compare to most other DAPs.

I can still hear the static even when the NC is turned off.

Hi Dura, There isn't an option to simply just turn on the noise canceling function without music on. BUT there is a trick. Simply let the player shuffle the songs (actually playing the songs of course) and reduce your volume to 0. Now you have your noise canceling function on just to have peace in your mind without noise or music. This is the way I do all the time when I am in a library studying with some noisy people around me. I hope this helps.

Nice review Stuge. By the way, do you also get a static sound every 15 seconds (very faint but still noticeable with soft songs)?

Sort of late to say... But what I meant was that Connect Player does not support ATRAC Advanced Lossless.

If you like NW-E407, try NW-A1000/3000 or NW-S706F. Sony further enhanced sound quality on these. In fact, the sound quality seems to be the reason for buying Walkman. So I hope Sony will continue to push in terms of sound quality; and of course not leaving behind in any other areas. Anyway, the possible wish list could be... a additional function to read lyrics on NW-A1000/3000 like someone mentioned before.

I also think Sony did say they are developing a video Walkman. Anyway, actual photo and specs are what people are wanting (and release date).