Hi-MD users will be pleased to know that Onkyo’s newly announced third generation FR series Hi-MD micro systems is now available for sale in Japan. The two new models - X-N7TX and X-N9TX - has a MSRP of 49,800 yen (USD433) and 69,800 yen (USD606) respectively; both systems feature CD / MD / Tuner modules with the FM tuner being Japan only (76.0 - 90.0 mhz). Note: The X-N7TX will be available in two color variations. The X-N9TX has a rated output of 2 x 19mW @ 4Ω and installed capacity of 2 x 26mW @ 4Ω whereas its sibling, the X-N7TX has a rated output of 2 x 15mW @ 4Ω and installed capacity of 2 x 20mW @ 4Ω.

For full details on the new FR series, please click here (Japanese only).

The X-N7TX

The X-N9TX

Financial Times reported yesterday that Sony is in talks to sell its advanced semiconductor facilities to Toshiba in a move that would represent an effective retreat from high-end semiconductor fabrication. This strategy is in line with Sir Howard Stringer’s desire to slim down the industry giant and if the deal with Toshiba goes well, Sony may stop making advanced chips and instead focus on audiovisual equipment come 2008.

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Sony’s Walkman devices will always come with optional accessories and the new NW-S71xF/NW-S61xF series is no different. The new Network Walkman series will debut with new accessories as shown above; and it can also utilize existing Walkman accessories such as the AC-NWUM50, BCR-NWU3, WMC-NWR1, CPF-NW001, SRS-NWZ10, STP-NWN3/W, STP-NWN3/T, STP-NWN2/S, STP-NWN2/B and other miscellaneous Bluetooth accessories.

Product info and pictures after the jump …

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AV Watch has released a pictorial review of the newly announced MDR-EX700SL canal-type earphones. For those interested, please visit AV Watch for the review piece.

More pictures after the jump …
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It has come to our attention that Sony will be putting forth a new line of NetMD micro system on November 21, 2007. The new micro system, known as the CMT-M35WM will be available in three colors: Black, White and Silver; and has an expected MRSP of approximately 37,800 yen (or approx. USD328).

The micro system’s suffix – WM underscore its capability to facilitate direct recording to certain Walkman models* via its USB port. (as shown in the picture below) It is also interesting to note that basic operations of a Walkman while connected (via USB) to the micro system can be accessed using the CMT-M35WM’s remote control.

* NW-E305/E307, NW-E002/E003/E005, NW-A605/A607/A608, NW-S603/S605/S703F/S705F/S706F, NW-S203F/S205F, NW-E013/E015/E016, NW-A805/A806/A808, and NW-S615F/S616F/S715F/S716F/S718F.

The CMT-35WM has a CD, MD and Cassette Tape module and its amplifier has a maximum output of 20W×2ch; Dimensions: approx. 450mm (w) × 282mm (d) × 232mm (h); Weight: Main unit, approx. 3.1kg; Speakers, approx. 2.2kg for one.

More pictures after the jump …
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A new firmware update for the PSP was made available yesterday. This quick firmware follow-up only include the following update: “A correction has been made to the settings for some regions.” The new firmware is now available via network update and manual download.

UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE:
PSP Firmware 3.71: Japanese | US | European | Chinese | Korean

Sony Japan announced yesterday that three new NETJUKE system – NAS-M95HD, NAS-M75HD, NAS-D55HD along with an optional NAS-C5 wireless digital audio streamer will be added to its current fleet of NETJUKE system (click here for previous version). The new NETJUKE system – NAS-M95HD, NAS-M75HD, NAS-D55HD and NAS-C5 wireless digital audio streamer will be available for sale (in Japan only) on November 10, October 20 and November 21, 2007 respectively.

NAS-M95HD: 120GB HDD/MD/CD/S-Master 26W×2ch
★ approx. ¥120,000 (USD$1,053)
NAS-M75HD: 80GB HDD/MD/CD/S-Master 20W×2ch
★ approx. ¥80,000 (USD$702)
NAS-D55HD: 80GB HDD/CD/Digital amplifier 20W×2ch
★ approx. ¥60,000 (USD$527); available in Pink, White and Black
NAS-C5: wireless digital audio streamer
★ approx. ¥30,000 (USD$263)

Like its predecessor, the new NAS-M95HD and NAS-M75HD will feature Sony’s S Master Digital Amplifier*. However, the NAS-D55HD will only employ a standard digital amplifier. The new NETJUKE system will also have an Ethernet port (which is DLNA compliant) so that your Mp3 and ATRAC tunes residing within your PC can be transferred onto the NetJuke’s HDD via Wireless LAN. These new NETJUKEs are also equipped with Sony proprietary “WM-PORT”; so direct music transfer without the PC is possible for selected Walkman (*currently, NW-A800/S710F/S700F/S610F/S600 series).

More pictures and details after the jump …

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