socom1

I have the same 706, but I've been using it for about 2 months with no problems. You bought it from J&R, right?

So can anyone answer my question?

Can anyone tell me how the headphones included with the A81X deal with noise cancellation/blocking out noise? I know they don't have the active noise cancellation like the headphones that comes with the 70X unit, but I usually listen to my player in noise environments (train, bus...) and this is a deal breaker.

Ah, controls as in the Vol +-, and Play/Stop buttons? Alright, thought you were talking about the knob/collar, because it is kind of loose (moves a bit up and down) and that worried me. I'll probably take a trip to the SonyStyle store around me and tinker with the new players, I'll then make a decision. Maybe I'll just keep it... it's under warranty, but Sony European warranty.

Bump. Lamewing, when you got your J&R model, what was wrong with the construction quality? Was the knob a bit loose or what? Is the knob solidly in place with your unit you got from Fry's? If it's suppose to be solidly attached, I'll probably return it. Unfortunately, Fry's.com only sells the 1GB model, in pink, for $104. I might end up getting a A815 or something.

I don't think any store in my area sells them... the nearest Sony Style is quite a distance, but I wonder if they still sell the 7XXs.

What about the NW-S7XX units? Hope it's not just the A's! Good news! I might keep my 706 after all.

Bump. Alright, got confirmation about the warranty. Even though it is a foreign model, it is still under warranty, HOWEVER, the unit will have to be shipped to Sony Europe for labor/repair since Sony USA can't handle it (since it wasn't released here). I don't know, I might return it... I might not. I really can't tear myself away from this player (small, headphones are awesome [noise cancel], SQ is superb, etc...)! But I don't want to wait a month to get it back when I need it to be repaired, or rely on SS, or get shafted when SS has been completely stomped dead.

Is it under warranty?

What did you receive? The A818 or the 706?

Ahhh... perhaps. I'm in for a tough decision; rid of the awesome (dare I say 1337? ) 706 or go with a 815 or some non-Sony player?

Yea, it really is a tough decision... I could return it and probably get a A815 or one of the new Insignia (Best Buy Brand) players; I had the previous NS-DV4GB and it was an awesome player for the buck ($70).

I wouldn't mind a NW-S70X vs, A8XX review myself, I'm wondering if I should return my NW-S706FV for a A818.

I don't see how the can refuse warranty support... it's a Sony product and I doubt they'd refuse warranty due to it being a 4GB version. SS issues I can understand, and I was thinking about returning it and shelling out a bit more for a A818, but I dunno... I love the NW-S706FV features and functionality.

Nope, doesn't say.

I ordered the NW-S706FV from JR.com about Sunday of last week and got it on Thursday, I can confirm it is 4GB and purple. It's a steal indeed! $99!

It is stupid, but we have no say...

I agree, with the death of SonicStage/Connect, a firmware should be released to "open" these units to other sources of music... If you want to stick with ATRAC, stick with SonicStage. No one is forcing you to download the firmware, if there is one, when it comes out.

What is Sat Nav? I'm guessing there are a ton of stuff I have yet to learn about this unit... Are there any firmware or mods out for this player?

Thanks for the clarification Juli, it puzzled me why the NC icon was present when it was off... it made me think, "huh???," the text "Noise canceling > ON" is VERY confusing. I'll give the train test another go when school is back in session. I thought my 706 was defective! I'm glad it's not. Is there any new firmware out for the 706 that I don't know about? Any mods, like the display one for the 5XX series?

Okay, apparently... when I thought it was on, it was off. So I found the Noise Cancel function under Advanced Settings, changed the mic volume and there is a subtle difference. Is there suppose to be a subtle or significant difference in ambient noise? Edit: Significant? On what scale? 10 (without) to 5 (with)? Or 10 to 8? I'll try the train test again next week, maybe a house is too quite of an environment. Edit: Is there any firmware available for the NS-S706?

For some reason, on or off, the ambient noise level is the same; the only difference is that the music tends to sound a bit better when noise cancellation is on. I've tried my test on a train full of middle schoolers... and NC on or off just sounds the same! Why is this? Is there a firmware update out? Is the headphone port not working correctly or what? I want to get it working ! By the way, am I expecting too much from NC, or should there be some significant difference with it on or off.

Just when I bought a damn NW-S706FV... oh well, probably out of my price range.

Ahhh... well I just bought a S706FV from JR.com for $99, and I couldn't pass it up and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have A-B repeat, so it's too late to cry now. Oh well, I can live without it.

Heh, seems like no one can answer my question. Anyway, perhaps a certain few can answer this... does the Sony NW-S7 series have A-B repeat?