Sony Unveils Luxurious $5,900 Gold-Plated Walkman MP3 Player

Sony has unveiled a new lineup of Walkman portable media players, starting at a staggering $1,899.99 for the NW-ZX900 and reaching up to $5,899 for the luxurious gold-plated NW-WM1ZM3. Nestled in the middle is the NW-WM1AM3, priced at $2,999.99, which closely resembles the WM1ZM3 but lacks the flashy gold exterior.

These devices are clearly designed for audiophiles, as their price tags suggest. Each model is equipped with Sony’s DSD (Direct Stream Digital) Remastering Engine, which enhances standard PCM audio to an impressive 11.2MHz DSD stream, promising a sound quality reminiscent of analog. Additionally, all three models feature gold-plated rear chassis to minimize interference and reduce noise.

The premium NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3 models include hand-soldered oxygen-free copper (OFC) wiring and enhanced power circuitry to further decrease noise levels. A milled OFC block effectively separates the digital circuits from the analog ones, limiting potential interference.

What distinguishes the WM1ZM3 is its entire chassis crafted from OFC and then gold-plated for added luxury.

This isn’t Sony’s first venture into high-end gold media players; the previous model, the NW-WM1ZM2, is currently available for $2,599.99, which could be seen as a bargain. However, for those on a budget, an old iPod from eBay might still be the better deal.