I recently purchased a Sony NW-E99 1GB flash MP3 player. It is a relatively new product and I really do like it. It supports direct MP3 files and the look of it is just great!
HOWEVER, whenever I play MP3 files and ESPECIALLY DURING SILENCE in between each music track, I can hear this faint "noise" in the background..and as the music from the next track goes louder, I can't hear the background noise anymore....This problem only occurs when I hear it on the ear-phones (I tried using another earphone, same result).....When I use computer speakers or TV speakers, I hear no background noise @ all!
Your advice and help is greatly appreciated!
Happy holidays to you all!
.ERiC
eMail: overclocker@myself.com

Hi Eric,
I also bought this nice device NW-E99 here in Germany (Munich) and I have the same problem, noise like a freak. It is only audible in volume control 1-5 (available are 32).

It is the backlight, put your volume to 0 press play and listen , a very faint hiss, when the baclight goes out hiss goes. Happens on a lot of players.

The NW-E99 looks great. I'm thinking of buying but I'm concerned about its toughness. I'd use it under tough conditions because I tend to use my mp3 player while running so it gets exposed to a lot of shaking. Last January, I bought the M-Any 512mb (some unknown brand) player with remote and it was brilliant....for almost a year then everything started going wrong. First the remote stopped working properly, then the unit randomly started switching itself off or to pause with the slightest movement and the music would turn itself down when the earphones were moved about. I'd like to know that if I replaced it with the Sony NW-E99, I wouldn't have this problem. Has anyone ever used it either for heavy duty gym work or running? I'd appreciate any advice you could give

Hi, i've brought the sony for my GF and found the noise too, i think it is the back light which was mentioned b4.
I have another question i'm starting to hate this copy Right protection thing with sonic stage is there any other software out there which i can use with the Sony NW-E99?
Please let me know,
thanks

first off the background noise is most likely due to both the lcd and the fact that it can pump out alot of audio at high volume and bitrate, possily too mutch bitrate for your headphones to habndle.
secondly the nw-e series has absolutel yno moving parts so it is incredibly durable, ive actually reverse enginnered one and it is verrt well designed, and put together

I have the NW-E99 and have the noise problem.
First of all, it is not caused by the backlight (it is still there when the backlight goes out, just a bit quieter) and not caused by the LCD as it DOES NOT AFFECT ATRACT3PLUS FILES ONLY MP3.
Someone on another forum found it and likened it to a chirping sound which just about sums it up.
When you listen in quiet environments (like bed) it is intensely annoying. I've resorted to using an in-line volume control because the noise is at a fixed volume (it is there when volume is at 0).
I could re-rip all my CDs to ATRAC but I'm not going to.

I have the NW e99 too and experience the same noise problem but this is an unsolvable problem...there is no way to stop this hiss, annoying it is but thats life!

But I have another MAJOR problem with this player. I lent it to a friend and when I got it back the battery cap/lid had a crack in it on the side where it hooks on to the lock/latch! Now the crack has broken the lid/cap into two pieces! So I cannot use the player anymore the only way to use it is to TAPE the gold conductor strip to the battery and the side walls of the e99! This is not a desirable option as my sister paid £179.99 for it!! So if there is any one who knows of anything that I could do PLEASE post back! Anyone know any SONY NW E99 PARTS websites? I only received it in March 2005 as a birthday present so do you reckon its under the guarantee? post back please thanks!

***WARNING*** The Sony NW-E99 comes with a lanyard so that it can be worn around your neck. If you're a sportsman and use this with the player inside your tee-shirt or underneath a GoreTex jacket your walkman will get wet because of your on body perspiration and condensation, it will go manky very quickly!!! I've had this happen to me even though I have kept the walkman inside it's protective pouch during use. If you run or cycle with the 99 make sure you keep it inside a waterproof bag. When moisture gets underneath the acrylic cover the silver paint peels off. I've even had the magnesium/alloy body corrode because of this not to mension it's doesn't work anymore!!!