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-NS505's water-resistant body and heat-resistant lid helps protect it against the elements, with rubber gaskets, bushings, and splash-resistant seals that help keep out water, moisture, and dirt.

Playback options include 32-track programming, repeat (track, disc, or program), random play, and--thanks to Sony's great work in DSP efficiency--more than 75 hours of ATRAC3plus CD or more than 50 hours of audio CD playback from 2 AA batteries (not included).

The D-NS505's 2-line dot-matrix display is built right into its handstrap, offering 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.

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.

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).

Digital Mega Bass Sound boosts your music's low end without high clarity and low distortion, and there's also a built-in equalizer with 3 preset curves and 1 customizable setting. Sony's automatic volume limiter system (AVLS) conserves batteries--and guards your hearing--by capping your listening level at either of two settings. You can hook the player up with your home system through an optional analog stereo "Y" interconnect.

The player also works with an optional AC/DC 4.5V power adapter (AC-E45HG or -E45A).

What's in the Box
CD player, ear clip-on stereo headphones, CD-ROM (SonicStage software), a user's manual, and warranty information.

Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.0

Rating - 3 Date: 2008-10-21
Content: Works well but is a little cumbersom to work with and a little to bulky to stick in your pocket. Performance is as expected but the crazy handle is in the way and looks strange
Summary: Fair

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-03
Content: I went from a cheap player to this one and the difference is gigantic. Better volume control, battery life, controls, etc. It feels indestructable and the handle while looking a bit odd is an asset. I think I will buy another before they disappear.
Summary: Love This Player

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-08-30
Content: We really enjoy this CD player. We are using it for a Listening Program and it works great for the kids and myself.
Summary: Great CD player

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-07-29
Content: This Walkman CD player is rugged and great for active walking...I bought a Tune Belt Deluxe Plus CD Player carrier to go with it...but that was not the accessory it needed because the handle comes up about an inch and a half, not allowing the player to fit in the carrier...the player has worked as I had hoped it would
Summary: Sony D-NDS505 Walkman

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-07-26
Content: This is a great CD player for the person on the move. The handle fits comfortably and secure so you can move your arms without restrictions. It is the best one I have ever purchased and worth every cent....Highly recommend.
Summary: Sony CD Player