D-NE730

The D-NE730 is a slim premium compressed-disc CD Walkman from 2005 that used a rechargeable gumstick battery, added a digital amplifier, parametric EQ, and Clear Bass, and carried a more deliberate physical finish than the simpler AA-powered models. It supported ATRAC3plus, ATRAC3, MP3, and standard CDs with stable G-Protection.

This is part of the clearest signs that Sony is still trying to make the disc experience feel refined instead of merely practical. The D-NE730 is part of the part of the late line where sound tuning and build quality still mattered even after the basic utility of the format had already been solved.