headphone outputs, lost in time?

[tekdroid]

So I was thinking about MD and its future.

OK, really I wasn't and I just wanted to know:

When was the last time the creator of the Walkman offered us a Walkman with headphone output more than the usual 5mW+5mW (into 16ohms)?

Sometimes I wonder if Sony consider:

1) those that listen to Walkmans with big headphones with higher impedance who want higher volumes from their portables (with no unnecessary add-ons). In particular, what was the last CD Walkman and/or Panasonic / Technics equivalent that offered decent headphone output? I am totally put off by recent offerings in this department.

It seems Sony wants to Play You for a sucker.

Sorry, I couldn't resist that joke after seeing that page.

Anyway, will the age of the higher-powered Sony headphone output ever return?

Sony?

Edited December 13, 2008 by tekdroid

[samueldilworth]

To some extent they're making up for it by putting out good in-ear headphones with 16-ohm impedance and high efficiency (e.g. the MDR-EX500LP headphones have 106 dB SPL/mW). That's plenty of volume for me.

At home you can plug in a headphone amp and drive whatever you want. I agree it's unfortunate, but making a high-power amp with good sound quality would probably require more expensive components than making a low-power one that sounds good. If the alternative is a high-powered amp that doesn't sound good, I'd rather take the weak one.

[tekdroid]

To some extent they're making up for it by putting out good in-ear headphones with 16-ohm impedance and high efficiency (e.g. the MDR-EX500LP headphones have 106 dB SPL/mW). That's plenty of volume for me.

At times I have been tempted to buy a [relatively cheap] flash-based Walkman of theirs just for a better set of earbuds (but I would sell the Walkman). The current Australian dollar-versus-US-dollar' put an end to those thoughts, tho.

At home you can plug in a headphone amp and drive whatever you want.

If only I could stay still at home! I rarely listen stationary in the house these days; I like the option to move to another room too much, even if it is for a little bit. Or simply to get away from the mess I made in one room

I agree it's unfortunate, but making a high-power amp with good sound quality would probably require more expensive components than making a low-power one that sounds good.

Still, Sir Howard Stringer is listening to my thoughts, right?! He does love us, doesn't he?

If the alternative is a high-powered amp that doesn't sound good, I'd rather take the weak one.

Priorities in order. Check! Still, I'll take both if I can

The PCM-D50 is tempting (25mW+25mW into 16 ohms). Shame importing is so much more expensive now than if I did it a few months ago.