News, Tips & Reviews
B&H Gift Cards
The Professional's Source Since 1973
Ask Our Experts800-606-6969
Hello, Log InAccount & Orders
My Cart
Home

Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black)

BH #SONWA306B • MFR #NWA306/B
24 reviews
Print
Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black)
Key Features
  • Up to 36 Hours of Battery Life
  • 3.6" Touchscreen & Android 12 OS
  • S-MASTER HX Hi-Res Audio Amplifier
  • Hi-Res Audio & Hi-Res Audio Wireless
Building upon the revolution the original Sony Walkman started, the NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player from Sony is geared towards those who don't want to sacrifice quality for portable convenience. Every part of the NW-A306 Walkman is engineered to deliver clean, high-resolution audio; from the aluminum chassis to the gold-infused solder connecting internal components, such as the S-MASTER HX hi-res audio amplifier.
More Details
In Stock
No Store Display
$348.00
$398.00
Save $50.00
+
Save the Tax‡
or Pay $58/mo. suggested payments for 6 Mos.§ when you use the Payboo credit card. Learn More
Add to Cart
Free Expedited Shipping
Protect Your Gear
Add a protection plan from $53.99
See Options
Ask an Expert
800-606-6969

Sony NW-A306 Overview

Building upon the revolution the original Sony Walkman started, the NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player from Sony is geared towards those who don't want to sacrifice quality for portable convenience. Every part of the NW-A306 Walkman is engineered to deliver clean, high-resolution audio; from the aluminum chassis to the gold-infused solder connecting internal components, such as the S-MASTER HX hi-res audio amplifier.

The result is support for DSD audio up to 11.2 MHz, Hi-Res Audio/Hi-Res Audio Wireless, and LDAC processing, MQA support, and more. Everything is easily managed through the 3.6" touchscreen and Android 12 OS. Up to 36 hours of hi-res playback is possible via Wi-Fi streaming or local PC library access, or from files loaded in the Walkman's 32GB of internal memory or on an optional microSD card.

S-MASTER HX & DSD
The use of the S-MASTER HX hi-res audio amplifier allows for compatibility with the Native DSD format, providing balanced and high power output. It also helps reduce distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies. Thanks to high-quality PCM conversion, DSD audio formats up to 11.2 MHz are possible.
360 Reality Audio
When playing back 360 Reality Audio-supported tracks with the NW-A306 Walkman, music comes alive all around you, centering you in an immersive experience that makes it feel like you're at a live concert, or in the recording studio itself with the artist.
DSEE Ultimate Upscaling
With DSEE Ultimate using Edge-AI, your digital music is upscaled in real time to restore acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, giving you a more complete listening experience.
Vinyl Processor
With the vinyl processor, the warmth heard when playing records is added to your digital files for a more authentic sound by reproducing the low-frequency resonance, tonearm resistance, and surface noise of vinyl.
High-Quality Components
The rigid aluminum chassis is designed to assist in the playback of clear, stable, low-impedance sound reproduction. Within the aluminum frame are a host of other components that are similarly designed to expand the acoustic capabilities of the NW-A306 Walkman.

  • Film Capacitor: Delivers voltage with a linear response across frequencies, resulting in reduced distortion and noise.
  • Fine Sound Resistor: Ensures even, effective distribution of power to the circuit components for consistent sound quality.
  • Gold-Infused Solder: The exceptional conductivity of gold is used to minimize signal loss for a clearer sound and vocals. This is used to connect the circuit of the NW-A300 to the battery, and it is used in reflow solder across the circuit-board surface, for improved sound localization and a wider soundstage.
  • Optimized Circuit-Board Layout: Optimized to ensure sound is unaffected by digital interference.
Cassette Tape UI
A playful nod to the Walkman's heritage, this UI and screensaver features the image of a cassette tape that will vary based on the codec of the music you're listening to.
Additional Features
  • USB DAC mode
  • MQA file support
  • Wi-Fi access to streaming services and local network music files
  • Bluetooth with aptX HD
  • Hi-Res Audio, Hi-Res Audio Wireless, and LDAC processing/codec support
  • Expand local storage with an (optional) microSD card
  • Tactile physical controls
  • Customizable Walkman Home Screen
  • Sustainable packaging uses no plastics
UPC: 027242924994

Sony NW-A306 Specs

Key Specs
Supported Formats
AAC / AIFF / APE / Apple Lossless / DSD / DXD / FLAC / MP3 / OGG / WAV / WMA
Volume Control
Buttons
Audio I/O
1/8" / 3.5 mm TRRS Headphone/Mic
Internal Storage
32 GB
Display
LCD
Media Support
Supported Formats
AAC / AIFF / APE / Apple Lossless / DSD / DXD / FLAC / MP3 / OGG / WAV / WMA
Audio
Volume Control
Buttons
Connectivity
Audio I/O
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Stereo Headphone Output
Media/Memory Card Slot
Single Slot: microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Internal Storage
32 GB
Power
Power I/O
1x USB-C Input
General
Display
LCD
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.45 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
5.4 x 4.2 x 1.7"

Sony NW-A306 Reviews

Solid player for the $$, but Volume is a pain

By Ponybrew
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2026-06-02

Don't buy the Europe/North America NW-A306 models. Just don't. Spend the extra time & money, and find a Japanese model. The Europe/NA models are neutered with "hearing safety" features. Less power, less volume, and a pesky Volume Alert pop-up every 20 hours of play (which drops the volume, until you click OK on the player). So if you're listening at the gym, or in your car, or at a party/pool/picnic -- you'll need to stop what you're doing, grab the player, and click OK. Just a massive inconvenience. Almost like it was designed by Sony Legal or Engineering, with zero consideration for the real-world user experience. It would be nice if Sony released an update, allowing users to opt-out of the Volume Alert. Until then, I have to deduct some points. Strictly as a player, I give it 4.5 stars. Then subtract 0.5 stars for Google bloat, and 1 star for the Volume issues.

Worst audio player I have ever owne

By eric
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2025-08-11

I don't even know where to start. An iPhone is a better audio player, my old iPods are better, my old FiO destroys it and I don't even like it, this thing is absolute garbage. The tech is terrible, the sound is mediocre at best. I have dozens of players ranging from old iPods to current high Rez. I got this to run a pair of IEM's and it's a joke. I would rather use my big brick iPod. I'd rather use my iPhone.

See any errors on this page?

Does this Sony NW-A306 plays video?

Does this Sony NW-A306 plays video?
Asked by: Johnny
Hi Johnny, Thanks for the question! Yes, the NWA306 is a media player that can play most audio file formats and also videos, courtesy of an LCD screen. It runs Android 12 and capable to download popular streaming services and stream content to this device over WiFi. With the Sony NWA306, enjoy a higher quality sound with various codecs and sound processing technology that give you more ways to enjoy your music. Hope this helps! - Craig
Answered by: SonyListens
Date published: 2023-11-05

Can I directly copy music files to it over USB or ...

Can I directly copy music files to it over USB or does it require use of some sony software and/or internet connection?
Asked by: mark
The Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black), BH # SONWA306B, requires the use of SONY Music Center software.
Answered by: Mark S
Date published: 2023-12-11

Can this player be configured to resume playing ...

Can this player be configured to resume playing at the same location in a song when the player was turned off?
Asked by: Robert
The Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black) BH #SONWA306B when powered will resume playing from the last track played when powered off.
Answered by: Mark S
Date published: 2023-06-08

Once connected to a desktop, can I drag files to ...

Once connected to a desktop, can I drag files to the SD storage card without going through iTunes, or a music app?
Asked by: Rick
Yes, the Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black), B&H # SONWA306B, can accept direct downloads to the "Music" folder.
Answered by: Teddy B
Date published: 2024-06-10

i have external dac (Chord Mojo 2). Does the ...

i have external dac (Chord Mojo 2). Does the Walkman support sending data to external DAC to process?
Asked by: Igor
The Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black), BH # SONWA306B, features a USB DAC mode for use with an external DAC.
Answered by: Mark S
Date published: 2023-12-05

Has anyone gotten a 2tb card to work with this ...

Has anyone gotten a 2tb card to work with this Walkman?
Asked by: John
The Sony NW-A306 Walkman A Series High-Resolution Digital Audio Player (Black) B&H # SONWA306B will only support up to a 1TB memory card.
Answered by: John J
Date published: 2025-05-27

Can it stream Yendex.Music and what about battery ...

Can it stream Yendex.Music and what about battery live?
Asked by: Armen
Hi Armen, Thanks for the inquiry! Enjoy a higher quality sound with various codecs and sound processing technology for up to 36 hours. The battery life may vary depending on the music service and file format that you are playing. As for the streaming services, you can download available streaming services through the Google Play Store. Please note that not all streaming services that are available or downloadable on toher devices can be downloaded on the walkman. You may visit our support site to know more details regarding your device. Thanks and regards, -Craig
Answered by: SonyListens
Date published: 2023-06-11

Can this machine stream Spotify?

Can this machine stream Spotify?
Asked by: Mark
Yes the Sony NWZ-A series support the Spotify app.
Answered by: David M
Date published: 2024-06-10
  • y_2026, m_7, d_10, h_8CST
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvqa, vn_bulk_3.0.47
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasquestionsanswers, tq_32
  • loc_en_US, sid_1749982, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=HAS_STAFF_ANSWERS, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_bhphotovideo
Whatever You Need, We've Got It