[DEAD] Refurbished Sony Walkman NWZ-A17-SLV DAP for $200

As of 6/24/15 recheck, these sold out at $200…
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New at Massdrop (not unlocked): SE535, TH900, Walkman A17, etc

A new burst of offers is up at Massdrop today, but as of the time of writing, none of them have reached their lowest possible offer price (in their lingo, “fully unlocked”). These however have about 6-7 days to go from blog-posting date, so they have plenty of chances to get fully unlocked. They are (with shipping added to the price total, but not sales tax because I am not a tax calculation super-computer):

  • Shure SE535 IEMs as low as $380
  • Fostex TH-900 for $1116 (can’t get free shipping on a $1100 headphone? Come on!)
  • Sony PHA-3 Portable for $708
  • DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp for $235
  • Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman DAP for $260
  • Matrix X-SPDIF (USB to SPDIF converter) for $168

[DEAD] Sony MDR-7506 studio headphones for $70

As of 6/18/15 recheck, the price jumped to $100… The twin of the good old MDR-V6 (red line), the MDR-7506 (blue line) is one of the featured deals on eBay, they are available in new condition for $70 with free shipping, with a limit of five per buyer from eBay seller TopElectronicDeals (99.4%).

Massdrop: lots of items added, Gustard and PS Audio fully unlocked

Members-only but free to join site Massdrop has a number of new offers added the last few days. The offers mentioned in this post expire in 6-7 days from blog-posting date. Of those added, the PS Audio Sprout DAC/amp is fully unlocked for $510 shipped, and the GUSTARD H10 amp for $312~ shipped. On the budget front, the Brainwavz S1 Earphones go for $28~ shipped. Not headphone related, but the U-Turn Audio Orbit Basic + Cue is also unlocked, for $195 shipped. The rest of the items are not unlocked as of the time of writing, but they have plenty of time left to go.

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Used Sony PHA-3 Headphone Amp for $656

The Sony PHA-3 Headphone Amp is currently available in “Used – Good” condition for $656, and “Used – Very Good” for $678 by Amazon Warehouse Deals. As usual with used items, both supplies and prices can change more often than usual, so there’s a YMMV component (no pun intended) depending on when you read this.

Used Sony MDR-1A silver for $205

The new condition Sony MDR-1A closed-back over-ears go for $300 at authorized Sony resellers, but if you are comfortable with used gear, you can get the silver color scheme in “Used – Good” condition (original damaged packaging) for $205 by Amazon Warehouse Deals. There are two listings at this price, a price decrease may be possible if the stars align (but there’s no guarantee).

Used Sony PHA-2 Headphone Amplifier for $360

More Sony action, their PHA-2 Headphone Amplifier is offered in “Used – Very Good” condition for around $360 (was $343) by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. A just-launched marketplace seller offers it for slightly less but that’s if you are a more high-risk shopper… Price updated here 5/26/15…

Used Sony PHA1A Portable DAC/amp for $223

The new condition Sony PHA1A Portable DAC-amp goes for $300 at authorized dealers, but if you want to save some, you can get it for around $223 (was $202) in “Used – Good” condition by Amazon Warehouse Deals, in the silver color scheme… Price updated here 5/26/15…

Used Sony MDR-7502 for $22.50

The Sony MDR-7502 (not to be confused with the more popular MDR-7506 (and MDR-V6 cousins)), are currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition for $22.50 by Amazon Warehouse Deals, but that’s not the whole story. There are many listings at this time, which means that if they don’t move fast enough, their prices may drop even further (this is only a rule of thumb, not a guarantee). They average 3.8 out of 5 based on 56 customer reviews.

Massdrop: Sony A17 DAP, HD 800 cables, and more

Four more offers were added to Massdrop, with all ending in about seven days (from blog-posting date), with the exception of the Numarks which end in nine days. As of the time of writing, none of them are fully unlocked…

+ Sennheiser HD 800 ZY Cable as low as $103 (you can choose type at checkout)
+ Numark Redwave DJ Headphones as low as $55
+ TCG Audio Skina Headphone Amp as low as $50
+ Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman as low as $260 (goes for $300 at amazon)

Used Sony MDR-Z7 for $454 [updated]

The closed-back over-ear Sony MDR-Z7 headphones are currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition for $454 by Amazon Warehouse Deals.

As of 6/10/15 recheck, the refurbished are sold out… as manufacturer refurbished with a 90 day warranty by Secondipity at Amazon.

[DEAD] Refurbished Sony MDR-10R black for $40 w/free S&H [only 9 left!]

As of 6/13/15 recheck, this sold out…

On the other hand, if you prefer the black color scheme of the Sony MDR-10R and you are comfortable with manufacturer refurbished, you can score them in the black color scheme (model MDR-10R/BLK) for just $40 with free shipping by Secondpity on eBay. There are only nine left as of the time of writing and you can buy as many as there are available.

Sony MDR-10R (white) for $70

If you like white color headphones (and can keep them from becoming a mosaic of everything you eat and everything you touch), the white closed-back Sony MDR-10R are currently on sale for $70 with free shipping per pair at BuyDig.com.

Sony PHA-2 Headphone Amplifier for $409

The Sony PHA-2 Headphone Amplifier is currently on sale for $409 with free shipping, in new condition, by Amazon.com actual. Limit five per customer during this sale.

Used Sony MDR-Z7 for $462

The Sony MDR-Z7 closed-back 70mm driver audiophile headphones are currently offered in “Used – Very Good” condition for around $462 by Amazon Warehouse Deals. Make sure you check the actual sellers offering them. A couple of lesser known sellers have them for around $450. AWD’s own price is currently $462, but keep in mind, used prices and quantities change often-er (new word!). These go for $700 in new condition at authorized Sony dealers.

Used Sony MDR-V6 for $43 (was $36.50)

The last few months, the good old Sony MDR-V6 were offered in the Amazon Gold Box in the $50s. I don’t know if or when that sale may return, but if you happen to need them right now and don’t mind used, they are going for $43 (was $36.50) [price updated 4/24/15] in “Used – Very Good” condition by Amazon Warehouse Deals. There are two listings there as of the time of writing, with the descriptions of the two being slightly different (one is in pristine packaging). These are a pretty solid pair of closed-back over-ear headphones for this price! And for hobbyists/enthusiasts, they are one of the influential models in history, so another reason to scoop one up. And for reviews/comparisoners (new word?), they can be a comparison benchmark of sorts.

PS: after spending some time checking prices at Amazon, I just posted this, along with six other potentially tempting Used offers found at Amazon Warehouse Deals. As usual with these, supplies can be more limited and prices more volatile, but that’s only a rule of thumb, you never really know for sure beforehand.

Used Sony MDR-1A for $195 to $220

The audiophile closed-back Sony MDR-1A over-ear headphones are currently available in “Used – Good” condition for $195 by seller “Blinq” and for $220 by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.

Massdrop: unlocked ER20 Earplus shipped for $11

More offers got added to Massdrop, with the ones mentioned here ending in 6-7 days from blog-posting date. One of them is fully unlocked, the Etymotic Research ER-20 Earplugs for $11 with free shipping. These are just earplugs, not earphones! This is limited to 100 units and 81 have been purchased as of the time of writing.

Other items listed but not currently fully-unlocked are as follows:

  • Shure SE215 Blue LE in-ears as low as $115
  • Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman as low as $260
  • Little Dot MKIII Tube amp for $225
  • KLUTZ DESIGN CanCans stand as low as $190 shipped
  • I am adding the shipping price to the totals

Refurbished Sony XB-600 for $40

If you are a refurbished basshead, the Sony XB600 foldable headphones are available in manufacturer refurbished condition for $40 with free shipping by Dealfisher on eBay and also by Dealfisher at Amazon.

Massdrop: Shure SE846 unlocked for $780 (and many more not yet)

At members only shopping club Massdrop.com (you have to login over there in order to see the offers but it is free to get an account), the Shure SE 846 in-ears are fully unlocked for $780 with free shipping. This is the lowest price under this particular offer. It ends in about seven days from today, with today being blog-posting date, not the date you are reading this.

A few more items are live at Massdrop with a 6-7 day expiration from today, but none of them are fully unlocked as of the time of writing. Here they are:

  • Fostex TH-600 as low as $520
  • Sony MDR-1A as low as $250
  • MEElectronics A151P (2nd gen) as low as $36
  • iBasso DX90 as low as $335
  • Mayflower Electronics CMOY amp as low as $72

Used Sony MDR-Z7 headphones for $370

If the new condition sale price of $510 is still too high, and you are comfortable with used headphones, the Sony MDR-Z7 currently have a “Used – Acceptable” condition listing for $370 by Amazon Warehouse Deals. Supplies may be limited, so it might be gone by the time you read this blog-post (you can also subscribe to the RSS feed for the latest updates).

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Sony MDR-Z7 headphones for $510 (limit 3)

The audiophile Sony MDR-Z7 headphones are currently on sale for $510 with free shipping, with a limit of three per customer at Amazon.com by Amazon actual. You must add to the shopping cart in order to see the sale price. This is a limited time offer but I don’t know when it expires.

Refurbished Sony PHA3 headphone amp for $760

The Sony PHA3 headphone amp is currently offered in manufacturer refurbished condition with a 90 day warranty for $760 with free shipping by Secondipity through Amazon Warehouse Deals. Check to make sure Secondipity is the actual seller. It goes for $1000 in new condition at authorized dealers. It averages 4.6 out of 5 based on 7 customer reviews

Sony ZX-110 On-Ears for $11.62

The black Sony ZX-110 closed-back on-ears are currently on sale for $11.62 at Walmart’s website. Shipping is extra (free with a $50+ order), or you can select free pickup at a local store. If that’s not convenient, they go for $13 at Staples.com with free shipping for Rewards members (or free store pick-up or free ship-to-store).

If on the other hand you prefer the white color scheme, it goes for $13 and change at amazon.com with the usual free shipping terms (Prime or $35+). This is the straight up model, no mic, and no remote control. The ones with mic/remote go for more and have more “letters” in their model name.

[DEAD] It’s back: Sony MDR-10R-NC for $125

This daily deal expired before the full 24 hours expired…
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[DEAD] Ends by Tue 3am ET: Sony MDR-1R-NC for $238

This daily deal expired before the full 24 hours expired…
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[DEAD] Starts Mon 3am ET: Sony MDR-10R-NC headphone sale

This sold out before the 24 hours offer expired… In the Amazon Gold Box, starting at 3am Eastern on Monday 3/30/15, there is going to be a lightning deal on the Sony MDR-10R-NC headphones, with active noise cancellation. The sale price will be revealed at 3am ET over there. These average 4.3 out of 5 based on 58 customer reviews and 12 questions answered. The offer will end by 3am ET on Tuesday or earlier if they sell out.

Massdrop: Sony NWZ-A17, GeekOut 450, iFi Nano

A trio of new offers are up at Massdrop. As of the time of writing of this post, none of them are fully unlocked (which is their way of saying, the lowest price possible under this promotion). The offers below expire in 6-7 days from today (with today being the blog-posting day).

We start on the DAP front, with the Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman that can go as low as $260 shipped. It is expected to ship in early April 2015, so keep that in mind if you need to get to it quickly. It goes for $300 at authorized Sony dealers (eg Sony’s eBay store or Amazon).

Next up we have a couple of portable devices, the iFi Nano iDSD USB DAC could go for as low as $175 shipped (it goes for $190 by marketplace sellers at amazon), while the Geek Out 450 DAC/amp could go for as low as $133 shipped (this goes for $200 by marketplace sellers at amazon).

Used Sony MDR-7502 for $28~

The Sony MDR-7502s are nowhere near as famous as the MDR-7506 (the V6 cousin), but they go for a lot less too, you can get them for around $28 in “Used – Very Good” condition by Amazon Warehouse Deals. They average 3.6 out of 5 based on 49 customer reviews.

March 1-7 at B&M: Sony ZX-110 on-ears for $10

The basic Sony ZX-110 closed-back on-ears (no mic/remote) will be on sale for $10 per pair, in either black or white, at Staples brick and mortar stores. I don’t know if their website will have them at that price as well. These are the replacement for the ZX-100.

Used Sony Walkman NWZ-A17-SLV DAP for $271

If you are fond of buying used equipment, the first wave of used Sony Walkman NWZ-A17-SLV audiophile level Digital Audio Players are starting to hit Amazon Warehouse Deals. The discounts are not big right now, but less is less. As of the time of writing of this, there are two “Used – Very Good” condition listings for $271. The new condition goes for $300 and is in-stock from Sony.

In-stock for $300: Sony Walkman NWZ-A17-SLV DAP [updated]

The new Sony Walkman NWZ-A17-SLV 64GB digital audio player (DAP) is back in-stock for $300 from Sony’s own store and Sony’s eBay store

UPDATE (2/24/15): the in-stock marketplace option sold-out, and Amazon’s own in-stock estimate has it at a floating “3 to 6 weeks”. In addition to the 64GB of on-board storage, this takes up to a 128GB microSD card, which is definitely a plus if you are using FLAC and other higher-than-MP3 file formats. It averages 4.2 out of 5 based on 47 customer reviews, and has a total of 90 questions answered.

No, you don’t need to buy an “audiophile” microSD card at 5X+ the price, unless you want to help kickstart Sony’s profit margins during their hard financial times 🙂

Guitar Center coupon: 10% off $99+ (or 12% off $199+)

Guitar Center has a coupon until 2/28/15, you can get 10% off a purchase of $99+ or 12% off a purchase of $199+ when you use coupon code SPRINGSAVE over there. Over 4600 items are eligible for this promotion. To get to the eligible headphones, select “Pro Audio” and then “Headphones” from the top left selector at the Guitar Center promotion page. Among the participating headphones are Beyerdynamic DTs, Westones, Ultrasones, Fostex, Technics, Sony 75xx, and more.

Sony ZX110 On-Ears for $10

The new Sony MDR-ZX110 closed-back on-ear headphones are currently on sale for $10 per pair at Staples brick and mortar stores and also at their website. The sale ends at the close of business on Saturday 2/21/15. They average 4.2 out of 5 based on 228 customer reviews at Staples. These are a newer model, replacing the good old ZX100 (review).

Refurbished Sony MDR-AS40EX earhook-style earbuds for $15

The Sony MDR-AS40EX earhook-style earbuds are currently available manufacturer refurbished with a 90 day Sony warranty for $15 with free shipping by dealfisher on eBay and by dealfisher fulfilled by amazon.com (usual free shipping terms apply, 2-day for Prime or with $35+ order for non-Prime).