Sony has announced three new high-end Walkman models — the NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3 and NW-ZX900 — with major updates to chassis construction, power delivery, S-Master HX processing and DSD remastering.
The two WM1 models receive the most extensive hardware changes, while the ZX900 brings several technologies previously associated with the flagship range into a more compact design. All three players also expand Sony’s DSD Remastering Engine so that it can process audio from streaming apps as well as locally stored music.
In Japan, all three models are scheduled to go on sale on November 27, 2026.
Reworked Chassis and Power Architecture
The flagship NW-WM1ZM3 uses a main chassis machined from approximately 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper.
Sony has also replaced the previous aluminium rear section with a gold-plated OFC structure and revised the internal mounting arrangement so that the main board and rear chassis are fixed directly to the main chassis. The goal is to reduce grounding resistance and improve electrical stability.
The WM1ZM3 also uses dedicated gold-plated screws and thicker internal KIMBER KABLE wiring.
The NW-WM1AM3 uses a machined aluminium main chassis but adopts the same gold-plated OFC rear structure.
Both WM1 models now use two large solid-polymer capacitors instead of one, with separate allocation to the digital and analogue sections. Battery-to-audio power wiring has also been revised with dedicated OFC conductors.
Sony has also enlarged the OFC grounding block used in the digital section and introduced larger 4N oxygen-free-copper coils in the balanced output LC filter.
These changes are less about headline output figures and more about lowering noise, improving grounding and stabilising power delivery.
Updated S-Master HX with Look-Ahead Noise Shaper
All three players use Sony’s full-digital S-Master HX amplifier.
A new Look-Ahead Noise Shaper has been added to the latest generation. Sony says the system predicts and manages quantisation noise more effectively, allowing the amplifier to respond more precisely to rapid signal changes.
On the NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3, users can choose between three different processing settings.
The ZX900 uses the same updated S-Master HX platform and, for the first time in the ZX series, adds an ultra-low-phase-noise crystal oscillator derived from the WM1 line.
DSD Remastering Now Works with Streaming Apps
The most significant usability change is the expansion of Sony’s DSD Remastering Engine.
Previously associated mainly with Sony’s own local playback environment, the new Walkman generation can now apply DSD remastering to PCM audio played through other music apps when wired headphones are connected.
That means music from streaming services can also be processed internally and converted to the equivalent of 11.2MHz DSD before playback.
This does not mean that streaming services are delivering native DSD content. The original PCM stream is being converted inside the Walkman.
Sony’s DSEE Ultimate processing has also been expanded to cover more streaming and wireless playback scenarios.
ZX900 Brings WM1 Technology Down the Range
The NW-ZX900 is positioned as the more compact alternative to the WM1 models, but it adopts a surprising amount of flagship technology.
Its main chassis is machined from aluminium, while the rear section uses gold-plated OFC. Sony has also brought in the same large-capacity battery concept, dedicated OFC battery wiring and ultra-low-noise LDO regulators.
The ZX900 therefore sits below the WM1 models in material cost and overall construction, but it shares much of the same digital processing platform and some of the same power-supply thinking.
The WM1ZM3 and WM1AM3 use 5.5-inch displays, while the ZX900 uses a 5-inch display. All three run Android and support Wi-Fi, allowing users to install and use streaming apps directly.
Longer Battery Life
Sony has also improved battery endurance.
Under specified playback conditions, the NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3 are rated for up to around 35 hours of MP3 playback, while the ZX900 reaches up to around 40 hours.
Sony says the ZX900 offers roughly 66% longer continuous playback than the previous ZX707 under comparable conditions.
Actual battery life will vary depending on screen brightness, network activity, output level, playback format and processing options.
Pricing and Availability
All three models are scheduled to launch in Japan on November 27, 2026.
| Model | Internal Storage | Japan Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| NW-WM1ZM3 | 256GB | Approx. ¥655,000 |
| NW-WM1AM3 | 128GB | Approx. ¥347,000 |
| NW-ZX900 | 64GB | Approx. ¥215,000 |
These are Sony’s estimated market prices for Japan, so actual retail pricing may vary.
The new Walkman range also made its first public Australian appearance at the StereoNET Hi-Fi & AV Expo in Melbourne shortly after the global announcement.
The direction of the new lineup is clear. Sony is not trying to turn Walkman into a general-purpose mobile device. Instead, it is pushing the range further toward the role of a dedicated high-end portable source for wired headphones and high-quality streaming.
The expansion of DSD remastering to third-party streaming apps is especially significant, as it reduces the distinction between local files and streamed music within Sony’s internal playback architecture.
Key Specifications and Features
- Models: NW-WM1ZM3 / NW-WM1AM3 / NW-ZX900
- Amplification: S-Master HX
- New processing: Look-Ahead Noise Shaper
- DSD Remastering Engine: Up to 11.2MHz-equivalent processing, now extended to streaming apps
- DSEE Ultimate: Expanded support for streaming and wireless playback
- Operating system: Android
- Networking: Wi-Fi
- Displays: 5.5-inch on WM1 models / 5-inch on ZX900
- Internal storage: 256GB / 128GB / 64GB
- Japan release date: November 27, 2026
- Japan estimated pricing: ¥655,000 / ¥347,000 / ¥215,000
Source : Sony https://www.sony.jp/walkman/
