Sony made a $5,900 gold-plated Walkman MP3 player

High-end portable audio gear now costs more than a used car, and still requires you to supply your own music files.

Sony has unveiled three new Walkman portable media players targeting audiophiles, with prices ranging from $1,899.99 to $5,899. The flagship NW-WM1ZM3 features a gold-plated chassis and costs $5,899, while the NW-WM1AM3, nearly identical but without the gold plating, is priced at $2,999.99. A third model, the NW-ZX900, is available for $1,899.99. All models incorporate Sony's DSD Remastering Engine to upsample audio, aiming for an analog-like sound. The premium models include enhanced internal components like oxygen-free copper wiring and upgraded power circuitry to minimize noise and interference. The WM1ZM3's entire chassis is crafted from gold-plated oxygen-free copper.

Sony's latest Walkman releases signal a continued, albeit niche, demand for ultra-premium portable audio hardware. The exorbitant pricing suggests a market segment willing to pay a significant premium for perceived sonic improvements and luxury materials, even as streaming services dominate mainstream music consumption. These devices are not competing on convenience or file access but on the meticulous engineering and high-fidelity playback experience.

The inclusion of features like DSD upsampling, oxygen-free copper wiring, and gold plating indicates a focus on minimizing digital and analog interference to achieve superior sound quality. This strategy caters to a dedicated audiophile community that values the nuances of sound reproduction, differentiating these players from general-purpose smartphones and even other high-resolution audio players.