NW-A17

The NW-A17 is an A Series Network Walkman offering 64 GB storage for MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, and Linear PCM files. It uses a lithium-ion battery rated for 50 hours with digital noise cancellation and WM-PORT. Earphones and an oval attachment were bundled with some units.

The A17 gives that same compact Hi-Res A platform more room and probably represents the strongest expression of Sony's first really coherent modern A-series identity. It still carries the same smaller, more serious, more listening-first philosophy as the A16, but here the concept feels fully expanded and much easier to read as a durable product direction instead of a one-off good idea. Sony was no longer trying to decide what the premium Walkman should be. It had already started answering that question.