Sony YY1306B – New Walkman or USB DAC?

Something new and unique has just popped thanks to a Korean RRA Certification, Sony YY1306B.

Anyone who has been following my posts through the years, will recognize that such a model code could be a possible Walkman model. Whether it is a Walkman model, I am not sure, but it does follow the NW-ZX900 (YY1303) code. so logically it should be part of Sony’s Walkman/Personal Audio division.

The RRA certification is below, with a translated copy.

The device is described as an “USB Audio Box”, and is made in Vietnam. The current models (slowly being discontinued) are made in China, so it does appear that Sony is consolidating their production to Vietnam. away from China.

This model is not on Sony’s server like the NW-ZX900, but it may still appear there in the next few weeks, hopefully.

Sony has used the term “USB Type-C audio box” in Korean RRA certifications for the USB DAC that included with the INZONE H6 Air (YY2996), INZONE E9 (YY2995), and MDR-G300 (YY2967), but never just “USB Audio Box”. I do not believe this is a headset related device, because any gaming USB DAC would use a YY30xx code, rather than YY13xx.

The previous Walkman RRA certifications did use the model description of a “specific low-power wireless device”, but this is missing on YY1306B. Therefore, I cannot confirm if this model has a wireless connection like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Sony’s IER-EX15C (YY3004) did also pass through the RRA. but this model lack wireless connectivity.

Assuming this is an audio player in the Walkman lineup, it could be a higher end device sitting above the upcoming NW-ZX900, perhaps a new WM1-Series? Of course it could be something completely different.

I have checked all other certification and import sites, but this model has not appeared anywhere else. We will have to wait for further certifications, and possible imports to get a better understanding of what this model could be. If anyone has any details/hints they would like to share, please contact me.

Update 2 – July 26

We have an import filing for a cable for this model. The import filing mentions a 2-in-1 adapter cable, but does not really go into much detail. If YY1306B/ZJ is for model for Japan, then Z would be colour code. The only recent Z colour code was in the recently announced IER-M500, with Z being the red-blue option. But is this what we are looking at here? I am also not sure what the OTP is for in OTP-SON1306. I know OTC is for cables, but I do not recall seeing OTP before. Anyone know, please leave a comment.

Update 1 – July 14

We have our first update. The device/Walkman has passed through certification on UL Solutions. Nothing new is revealed, apart from the input, 5Vdc, which is the same rating that WM1-Series mark 2 had on its certification.

For comparison, the WM1M2 appeared on UL with 2 dates October 28 2021, and November 15 2021. The FCC date was December 22 2021. The model was announced in Early February 2022.

Assuming a similar timeline for YY1306B, then we could see an FCC appearance around the late August to Early September. A reveal based off the WM1M2 timeline would put the announcement in late October. This is just speculation on my part, and YY1306B could easily be revealed in 2027, along with NW-ZX900 (YY1303).

With this second certification, at least we know this is a real device, question is, will it be wireless or not? If yes, we will see additional certifications in the future.