I’ve always thought that the Sony Discman models from the late 80s through possibly the early 90s was when Sony hit peak design. For the most part they were still heavy, all metal cases and high quality components throughout. Sure, this was before the “g-force” technology came into existence so all you’d have to do is give one some side-eye and it would skip, but you couldn’t fault their aesthetic. While Sony marketed them as on-the-go machines, they really weren’t. Portable? Yes—portable as in they weren’t 18-inch wide units you’d find in a home stereo. They were—and still are—perfect for desk use, which is where I use mine. I remember taking my Discman to work and jamming out to Miami Sound Machine on many a hot summer afternoon while drafting construction documents at Kim Acorn Associates in Tucson, Arizona..
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I continued buying and sometimes replacing my Sony Discmans until they stopped making them. I’ve found a very suitible brand now that is just as good. ‘4-6 C-Batteries?’ Even my Sony’s were just a couple of ‘AA’ Batteries. I’m definitely (Very) Old-School and carry my C.D. Player in my Pants front pocket from room to room, or just atop my computer desk with a decent pair of Ear-Buds.
I remember we had one my dad had purchased, and you could take it ‘to go’ with a battery pack that took 4-6 C cell batteries to power the thing.