Why Has Sony F886 Been Discontinued ? Will There Be a Replacement ?

[Gabe62]

Massive hole in their range now ... don't understand why it's been shelved when it only came out a year ago.
 
I'm wondering if anything new is likely to arrive to fill the gap between ultra-cheap, and stoopidly expensive £550 model.
 
Anyone in the know ?

 

[zfannewb]

Here's the thing, I remember when people were saying that the z-series was the last nail in the coffin of the walkman line up, and then more and more got released.  So I wouldn't worry too much.  I know they have the new a-10, the zx1 and another new one a cheaper one.  I think the walkman blog has info on them.  The f886 discontinued?  Where do you see this?  

 

[Gabe62]

Amazon... can't buy any more. Still on sony site though.
 
I hope they bring one out in the 300-350 range. F886 seems to have issues - but then again, no micro card or replaceable battery in the flagship model is rather worrying. £550 and can't swap out batteries... Huh ? Really ?!
 
So, I don't know what to do, as my NH1 is coming to the end of it's glorious life, and I need to be net-enabled, as I too am succumbing to the evils of streaming !

 

[senzen]

Did you miss the NWZ-A10 announcement? Much cheaper than the nwz-zx1 but "high rez", with micro SD, small... And apparently you can buy it today...

 

[davidcotton]

That's pre-order for the END of october, which will slip to November and so on...

 

[Gabe62]

Aha... wonderful news !
 
Thnx.
 
On it right now.

 

[Gabe62]

Hmmm... looking less good than the F886 !
 
No EQ, no Wifi / Android / no ANC... by the looks of it.
 
We need something better - or as good with removable battery and SD card slot. The wait continues.

 

[zfannewb]

the a-10/17 has a very similar looking ui to the older a86(x) series.  Now I hope the sound signature will be simillar but improved.  And most likely there will be a settings folder to muck around with the eq and other sound settings. I dont know what it is about the android walkmen.  They seem to lack punch, even with the thing eq'd.  But the A-86(x) series had a nice punch with an eq that acutally did what it was supposed to do.  I hope the A-10/17 works in a similar fashion. Now, that being said, I do still like my f886, except the battery life. I cant wait t try this new one, it looks very nice. 

 

[castleofargh]

sony store doesn't seem to sell it in france either(they pretend you can then make some oops message saying it's not available when you try to order), so you might be right about the f886 being discontinued. I didn't read anything about it so I'm a little surprised.
 
I very much doubt that the A17 will have no EQ. it will be the usual sony eq probably, great when you know nothing about EQ and need intuitive settings, very poor when you do(like no minus values on the bass...). but I'm confident an EQ will be on it.

 

[Gabe62]

How is the F886 when attached to headphone amp ?
 
I am aware of the "Volume Issue", but am thinking my Fiio E17 may give it a bit more punch.
 
Basically I just want it to stream Spotify or Sony Music via WiFi, with some equalisation ability - as the PS3 or laptop alternative has none, and it sounds very flat often times.

 

[castleofargh]

  How is the F886 when attached to headphone amp ?
 
I am aware of the "Volume Issue", but am thinking my Fiio E17 may give it a bit more punch.
 
Basically I just want it to stream Spotify or Sony Music via WiFi, with some equalisation ability - as the PS3 or laptop alternative has none, and it sounds very flat often times.

a F886 plugged into a nice amp is one of the best portable sound I've experienced. not saying the best there is, I never heard stuff like an hm901 or an ak240, but the line out sounded super clean super wide and impressed me much. I didn't keep it because without an amp I heard a noise on the HO and wished to have a DAP that would be ok with and without an amp. but it was hard to send it back.
now be aware that the battery with what you plan to do will be crap. someone on the F886 topic will be able to give you precise estimate if it can be a problem for you. a lot of people invested in the ZX1 for better battery life.

 

[Gabe62]

Oh dear.
 
Yes, I guess with WiFi on as well, the already poor battery life will be even worse. Hadn't considered that !
 
Think I may look at Cowons... but they're on ancient Android versions... or hold out for ZX1. I already have the Minidisk flagship model to keep me going... but no Wifeee !!!!
 
Thnx for that input.