WM-F17

The WM-F17 was a radio Walkman that added line-input recording to its AM/FM stereo tuner and cassette playback platform, giving the player a more active role than simpler listening-only radio models. It used a larger plastic body powered by two AA batteries, with prominent radio controls, external-source recording support, and compatibility with a one-point stereo microphone. Basic tape-speed control also added a little more flexibility to the package.

Early on, the radio Walkman branch was about utility as much as entertainment. This was not yet a fully mature recorder line, but it clearly pointed in that direction. It is one of those transitional products where Sony was testing how much doing, not just listening, the Walkman could absorb.