Sony D-NE506CK ATRAC Walkman Portable CD Player with Car Kit (Black)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001RM8EI
• Item model number: DNE506CK
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Get the most from your digital music listening with Sony's D-NE506CK Walkman portable CD player, which includes not only a complete car-listening kit with an in-car remote, but SonicStage software. SonicStage lets you take full advantage of ATRAC3plus (Sony's proprietary music-compression technology) when making custom MP3 CDs on your computer. Playback options include 32-track programming, repeat (track, disc, or program), random play, and--thanks to Sony's great work in DSP efficiency--an incredible 70 hours of playback (maximum) from just a single AA battery (not included).

The player includes Sony's popular jog dial control for easy folder navigation, a 4-line dot-matrix display, advanced file navigation with full ID3 tag recognition, and bookmark playback (which lets you program your favorite songs from multiple CDs and play them back at the touch of a button). CD Text support displays artist and title information with compatible commercial audio CDs.

ATRAC3plus is a high-quality audio-compression technology that reduces the size of digital audio files while preserving much of a track's original sound quality (similar in concept to MP3 or Dolby Digital sound formats). With ATRAC3plus, music can be burned and compressed at 132, 105, 66, 64, or even 48 kbps (kilobits per second), letting you select the right balance between fidelity and storage space (you'll get around 490 songs per disc at 48 kbps). MP3 compatibility extends from 16 to 320 kbps files.

The player comes bundled with Sony's SonicStage CD Simple Burner software. Compatible with ID3 tagging and most CD burners, this application transfers songs from CDs or MP3 music files from your PC's hard drive and burns them to recordable CDs using ATRAC3plus compression.

Skip-Free G-Protection technology boosts the laser pickup's shock protection to minimize read errors that would otherwise interrupt your music, providing quick recovery from both horizontal and vertical shocks. The D-NE506CK's heat-resistant lid helps protect the player against high-temperature build up, especially when you're using it outdoors or in a vehicle.

Sony's automatic volume limiter system (AVLS) conserves batteries--and guards your hearing--by capping your listening level at either of two settings. A handy clip-on remote control lets you operate the player with ease, even when you're on the run.

What's in the Box
CD player, MDR-027LP stereo headphones, a clip-on remote control, CD-ROM (SonicStage software), an AC power adapter, a car kit (including cassette-shell audio adapter, DC power adapter, car remote control, and Velcro adhesive tape), a user's manual, and warranty information.

Product Description

Sony (Personal Audio) (DNE506CK) CD Portable Walkman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sony Quality Minus Back Light!, June 14, 2004

By 

Nom De Plume "East Coast Nut" (West Coast Junkie) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony D-NE506CK ATRAC Walkman Portable CD Player with Car Kit (Black) (Electronics)

I bought this for two reasons, SONY QUALITY and it was made specifically for CAR USE! I wasn't disappointed!

The player has a high piano gloss black cover that resist smudges and has all metal control buttons. It also comes with two remote controls, one for the car and one for the player to carry around. It comes, of course, with everything else needed to play in a car and carry around. But the remotes was what I was really interested in.

I found that the car remote simply duplicates basic controls that Sony says can be controlled like a wiper knob in your car. You can use any remote control, however. The nice touch is that this acts more like a "car" knob for particular people, I suppose. They also include velcro attachments that work pretty good at resisting twisting movements or coming off.

The player has just about everything to play music the way you like it. I didn't find anything really lacking here for most basic of listening. One feature I liked is the "bookmark" feature. The amount of songs I tested was about 75 tracks with 3 groups or folders. I don't know what more you would need if you put 490 songs on.

The battery life must be noted, is for optimum conditons. That is; the player lying flat, ATRAC recorded at minimum bit rate and letting it just play right through without touching anything. If not, I estimate the battery life at somewhere between 9-16 or (more hours) of real play use depending on how much you "fiddle" with it.

My biggest gripe was with the SonicStooge software that comes with the player. It is obvious that the DRM of Sony is interfering with the ease and logicness of using it. For instance I couldn't figure out how to delete a group even when checking the option to do so, it just wouldn't delete the group! I ended up just reformatting the ATRAC CD. You can get use to SonicStooge, once you learn SonicStooge "sense". I was beginning to grasp some basic features after some fustrating moments, but it clearly needs some reworking. I also could not get it to work with their Connect online music site of all things!

There was some moments when songs would suddenly stop playing and then start playing again. I think this has to do with the G-Shock asorbing ability of the player (I hope :). I never turned on this feature.

SOUND? I played it through my car stereo and it sounded very good. (Recorded at 64kbs) I compared MP3 sound to ATRACPLUS sound, and my conclusion was that ATRAC sound sounded slightly better, especially in the bass department. A little more "oomph" and definiton. I am sold on the ATRACPLUS sound! I consider this proprietary method superior to MP3. The music also sounded very good with headphones that came with it. I never tested the sound on Grado or better headphones, but they sounded very clear and thorough with these headphones with very good bass! Another thing people might wonder is how loud can it get? Well, putting it on the highest volume seems to me like someone yelling at the top of their lungs maybe 10 feet away from you. How long can you take of that?

SUPPORT: Superb! I was able to get to a live rep with very mininum wait time. (Under 1 minute). For tougher problems with their software, I was given a another number to call and instantly got a knowledgeable rep! No menus or recordings! Try doing that with Iriver. They still have not returned an e-mail question after several weeks!!

There was really only one thing lacking (maybe) and why Iriver is beating them. It sounds silly, but there is no BACKLIGHT on this thing. To see the information on the 4 line LCD (which it has plenty) you must be in good light. Sony, take a hint and PUT A BACKLIGHT IN ALL YOUR PLAYERS. Thank you!!! Not only is it helpful, but COOOOL!!!!

Oh yeah, it has a little operating "on" lite. Small, but pretty neat! It changes color depending on program material. Naturally, green (for go or safe?) means ATRACPLUS mode. The other mode colors are red and orange for Audio CD and MP3.

UPLINE: Sony quality and features, no-wait tech support.
DOWNLINE: No backlight on LCD. Ill conceived software.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sony D-NE506CK ATRAC Walkman Portable CD Player with Car Kit, July 27, 2006

By 

J. V. Ortiz "j v o" (Sunland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony D-NE506CK ATRAC Walkman Portable CD Player with Car Kit (Black) (Electronics)

Easy to use and good sound. Still don't know what to do with the cheesy headset.