[Feischmaker]

What's expected battery life for SE180. Especially on BAL
Can I assume same as SE200?

 

[Tanjiro]

It states about 10hrs playtime on the manual and I think it's pretty accurate. I have about 7-8 hrs playtime on normal balanced, and I never let my battery drops below 15% before charging.

 

[JasonNYC]

New firmware update available now for the SE180, v. 1.13. Firmware contains a fix for the authentication issue in the embedded Tidal app and adds the ability to turn on the display by double-tapping the screen.

 

[Vahsol]

Musically, the SE180 is beautiful and dynamic and just makes you want to listen to all your old albums again; however the UI is so laggy. Hopefully, future firmware updates can fix the performance because right now it's less snappy than my SR15. Still good and I look forward to new module next month.

 

[Noonanstein]

Astell&Kern Launches First Portable Player With Interchangeable All-In-One Sound Modules

Shape Your Sound with the New A&futura SE180
​

Irvine, CA - Astell&Kern, a global leader in portable high-resolution audio players and accessories, unveils the third model of the premium A&futura line, the SE180. Pre-orders for the new player are available now. The SE180 with default SEM1 module will be available for purchase on May 17, 2021 for $1,499.

Astell&Kern continues to innovate and bring new features never before seen in an Astell&Kern player with the A&futura line. The SE180 continues the tradition of the line by adding features not found on other Astell&Kern devices. With the SE180, users can “Shape Your Sound” to best match the headphones and genre of music you are listening to through the use of Interchangeable sound modules. The SE180 also introduces a new user experience and new features not found on other Astell&Kern players.

Interchangeable All-In-One Modules

The A&futura SE180 includes the SEM1 module. The default configuration module contains a ESS ES9038PRO DAC, an 8-channel DAC mainly used for premium home audio equipment. This DAC provides a wider dynamic range and more detailed sophistication. The module includes 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections to allow for a greater variety of headphones/IEMs. The SEM1 module supports native playback of up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 hi-res audio.

The SEM2 module, available separately, features two AKM AK4497EQ DACs, in dual-mono configuration. The module includes 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections to allow for a greater variety of headphones/IEMs. The SEM2 module supports native playback of up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 hi-res audio. The SEM2 module will be available soon for $399.

Additional modules will be released in the second half of 2021 and first half of 2022.

Next Generation Advanced AMP Technology

With the SE180, Astell&Kern applied Next Generation AMP technology to push beyond the sound quality others feel is acceptable for Premium Hi-Fi Sound to produce the best sound possible.

From the selection of OP-AMP parts, to circuit design, board layout and tuning, everything has been completely redesigned to produce the best sound.

While it is difficult to improve the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) while maintaining a high output, after countless hours of research, Astell&Kern’s Next Generation AMP technology solved the issue of increasing output while improving the SNR. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with the default SEM1 module is an incredible 129dB, not seen in other products with this high output.

New Navigation bar for easier navigation

To provide more convenient movement through the player user interface that is consistent with an Android smartphone experience, the SE180 features a new navigation bar, the first in an Astell&Kern player.

Now you can easily navigate with a single touch and deliver music playback information from any screen. The new one swipe feature moves you to the previous screen.

AK File Drop to enjoy wireless transfers

The new AK File Drop function in the SE180 makes files transfers easier and more convenient. Using AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network.

Music file management is now possible with a cableless, wireless solution.

Wireless Hi-Fi Sound Through BT Sync

The newly introduced BT Sync function connects the SE180 to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone with a BT speaker. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high-quality on the SE180 using the BT Sync function.

Full HD Touchscreen

The SE180 features a 5” full HD (1920x1080 resolution) screen to provide a higher quality display.

Some of the most popular features found in other Astell&Kern players are also included in the SE180, such as LED lighting around the volume wheel which displays different colors of light, including red, green, blue, and purple to reflect music playback information including volume range, bit-rate of track currently playing and the current DAC that is being used for playback of music. With MQA support and a full decoder built in, the SE180 can unfold MQA encoded tracks all the way to the original resolution of the file. MQA playback is supported both via downloaded MQA audio files and through music streaming services with MQA support.

Latest generation Bluetooth 5.0 features faster transmission speed and greater range compared to Bluetooth 4.2, therefore providing a more stable wireless connection. Both LDAC™ and aptX™ HD codecs are supported to provide audiophiles with 24-bit audio playback wirelessly.

The player includes 256GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 1TB, Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB digital audio output, USB-C for data transfer and fast-charge support, and the ability to use the SE180 as a USB DAC for your Mac or Windows-based PC.

Astell&Kern’s latest user interface and support for Open App service is also included in the SE180, which adds Android APK support, allowing users to install additional music streaming services to their player by simply copying and installing the corresponding APK file for the music service they wish to add. Services supported include Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, SoundCloud, Qobuz, SiriusXM, Tune-In, myTuner, Bandcamp and Deezer (supported streaming services varies by country). Offline content for supported apps can be stored in either internal or external player memory so you can listen to your favorite music streaming service tracks on the go.

Hi Jason,

Could I check do APK apps such as Qobuz playback bit perfectly, or to android limitations apply. The reason I ask is SE180 bit indicator (on volume wheel) seems to indicate 16bit playback for offline hi-res playback from Qobuz APK

 

[chef8489]

Hi Jason,

Could I check do APK apps such as Qobuz playback bit perfectly, or to android limitations apply. The reason I ask is SE180 bit indicator (on volume wheel) seems to indicate 16bit playback for offline hi-res playback from Qobuz APK

Did you change settings in qobuzz to download the highest quality? As well as stream highest quality?

 

[Noonanstein]

Did you change settings in qobuzz to download the highest quality? As well as stream highest quality?

Yes it is defo a downloaded hi res file I checked

 

[Noonanstein]

Yes it is defo a downloaded hi res file I checked

I cant work out of apk audio is routing through android SRC. Or perhaps its just a bug in the bit rater indicated on the SE180

 

[JasonNYC]

Hi Jason,

Could I check do APK apps such as Qobuz playback bit perfectly, or to android limitations apply. The reason I ask is SE180 bit indicator (on volume wheel) seems to indicate 16bit playback for offline hi-res playback from Qobuz APK

There is bit-perfect playback from steaming apps. The LED will only display bit-rate for files played through the default music app (files stored in internal memory or microSD card) and the embedded Tidal app. It will only show red for any apps installed via OpenApp, regardless of the bit-rate being played back.

 

[Noonanstein]

Thanks so it sounds like the qobuz hi res files are playing at full resolution just the bit rate light isn't indicating that. Thanks!

 

[JasonNYC]

For North America customers, the AK4497 module, the SEM2, begins shipping today. They will be available at authorized AK dealers in the US/Canada and any pre-orders will ship today.

 

[Tanjiro]

For North America customers, the AK4497 module, the SEM2, begins shipping today. They will be available at authorized AK dealers in the US/Canada and any pre-orders will ship today.

Hi Jason, would you mind to let me know the sound signature of SEM2 comparing to SEM1? Is SEM2 more suitable for warm IEM? Thanks.

 

[twister6]

Hi Jason, would you mind to let me know the sound signature of SEM2 comparing to SEM1? Is SEM2 more suitable for warm IEM? Thanks.

If you are interested, I covered the comparison here in my SE180 review.

 

[Noonanstein]

Twister6 summary of the SEM1 reflected what I heard for that module, so his summary of SEM 2 should be helpful for relevant differences between. It usually is! Ps I haven't heard SEM 2 though

 

[Ultrainferno]

Our First SE180 review is now online. Find out why @nanotechnos is calling it the best DAP he has listened to this year.
https://www.headfonia.com/astell-kern-afutura-se180-review/