First, its design is absolutely outstanding, if not the best, of its class; second, I can't bear the problematic OS of its cheaper competitors; and finally, perhaps most important, I want to own a "true" Sony walkman DAP, for me only the WM1 series (does that mean Walkman No.1?) deserves this honor

As usual SONY delivers a stellar product, it is well designed high quality, latest audio technology, and easy to use.

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

When you consider that it can replace a laptop, MacBook, etc. as the music source and play HIRES versions of that source over a portable "balanced" headphone

I have it paired with a Woo Eclipse DAC and Sony Z1R headphones and the sound is awesome

Obviously solid construction, intuitive and uncomplicated operating system with no apparent bugs as well as responsive interface with firmware 1.2

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

Obviously solid construction, intuitive and uncomplicated operating system with no apparent bugs as well as responsive interface with firmware 1.2

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

As usual SONY delivers a stellar product, it is well designed high quality, latest audio technology, and easy to use.

To me, the sound quality from the WM1A's USB path sounds superior to anything I ever sourced from my Wintel, MacBook, or IPhone.

First pardon my English proficiency, but I believe you can understand my comment

This is a superb player

And now comes the wm1 series, which indicate the Sony engineers finally find some clues on how to manufacture a decent digital player

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

A match made in heaven!UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST (05/01/2017) - Was reading up on the WM1A a few days ago and saw where Sony emphasizes a 200-hour burn-in period, where the components will settle-in sonically and that the listener could expect a significantly improved sound.

An amplifier that outputs good sound without putting strain on the battery.edit 2017-06-22.I wish to modify my review

difference.when I take a good source - a good recording - I am able to get an adequate bass rendering.edit 2017-10-07.in reply to techman

Anyway I connected same headphones to QUAD headphones amp - immediately the double bass became clear and prominent

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

I have it paired with a Woo Eclipse DAC and Sony Z1R headphones and the sound is awesome

As usual SONY delivers a stellar product, it is well designed high quality, latest audio technology, and easy to use.

As usual SONY delivers a stellar product, it is well designed high quality, latest audio technology, and easy to use.

Probably one of my all time favorite purchases

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

The Walkman is superior in every way to the Astell AK320.But apparently the Astell team succeeded to design the perfect mobile amplifier

Give you a portable DAC/AMP combo that sounds as good as or better than the latest combo offerings from those audiophile heavyweights like Musical Fidelity, NAD, Schiit, etc, etc

However, woefully underpowered amplifier somewhat improved with balanced output.

However, woefully underpowered amplifier somewhat improved with balanced output.