Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 - The First Modular DAP from Astell&Kern

[starouterspace]

Hello, may I ask, this voltage to mw translation is applied to the sp2000 to, I mean 6vrms=1125mw or not?

6vrms should always translate to 1.1W into 32ohm load. Here is a link to calculate that:
https://www.aetechron.com/Ohms_Law_Home.shtml

The question is could the player really deliver 6vrms on a 32ohm load? The official specs only say 6vrms for no load.

 

[denis1976]

6vrms should always translate to 1.1W into 32ohm load. Here is a link to calculate that:
https://www.aetechron.com/Ohms_Law_Home.shtml

The question is could the player really deliver 6vrms on a 32ohm load? The official specs only say 6vrms for no load.

I may be wrong but the volt to mw is not allways that linear, 6 volt on the dx220 for exemple was about more or less 600mw at 32 ohms (acording to the thread of the dx220)the volts to mw conversion it is related to the power supply of the device too

 

[ipaddy]

I wonder really if people want to spend that amount of money on a new player, and then periodically buy expensive new plug-ins when they come out. And will AK really start developing a whole new line of plug-ins just for this one model, or move on to the SE300?

 

[theveterans]

I may be wrong but the volt to mw is not allways that linear, 6 volt on the dx220 for exemple was about more or less 600mw at 32 ohms (acording to the thread of the dx220)the volts to mw conversion it is related to the power supply of the device too

You can pump a certain voltage to a load but some carry more current at those voltages than others. A&K doesn’t really give the power ratings and only provide max voltage at no load, i.e. preamp at -0dB setting

 

[asifur]

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.

Nice!

 

[starouterspace]

I may be wrong but the volt to mw is not allways that linear, 6 volt on the dx220 for exemple was about more or less 600mw at 32 ohms (acording to the thread of the dx220)the volts to mw conversion it is related to the power supply of the device too

Note there is a difference between peak voltage and RMS voltage. 6V peak on 32ohm load does yield 0.6W of power.

Basically we need 2 out of the 3 (Voltage, Watt, Ohm) to understand the power. Astell & Kern never show voltage or watt with a meaningful load, so their power specs are not very helpful.

That being said, I found the power from AK daps are more than enough for me in most cases.

 

[denis1976]

This is a off topic and this is only my curiosity working, for me the power is important but not the most important, you can have 1000mw but if the first mw is bad the sound is bad so you will have a bad sounding 1000mw device....of course I would like to know how much power the sp2000 has in mw, and don't understand why AK after so many people asking don't answer that, and for a dap that is (in theory at least) inferior, that answer came in the first page... Is a very weird marketing way....for a more than 3k device is almost secret.... For a plus 1k is a marketing weapon.... Sorry don't understand

 

[theveterans]

This is a off topic and this is only my curiosity working, for me the power is important but not the most important, you can have 1000mw but if the first mw is bad the sound is bad so you will have a bad sounding 1000mw device....of course I would like to know how much power the sp2000 has in mw, and don't understand why AK after so many people asking don't answer that, and for a dap that is (in theory at least) inferior, that answer came in the first page... Is a very weird marketing way....for a more than 3k device is almost secret.... For a plus 1k is a marketing weapon.... Sorry don't understand

If someone can loan a unit to someone who owns a DScope or AP analyzers to be able to accurately measure how much power the SP2000 has in mw at 32 ohm load, 50 ohm, 150 ohm and 300 ohm

 

[feverfive]

^^^ I know...it is what it is, but still effing ridiculous that customers have to do such a thing. I get protecting proprietary design, but power output should not be treated as some sort of state secret.

 

[bluestorm1992]

This is a off topic and this is only my curiosity working, for me the power is important but not the most important, you can have 1000mw but if the first mw is bad the sound is bad so you will have a bad sounding 1000mw device....of course I would like to know how much power the sp2000 has in mw, and don't understand why AK after so many people asking don't answer that, and for a dap that is (in theory at least) inferior, that answer came in the first page... Is a very weird marketing way....for a more than 3k device is almost secret.... For a plus 1k is a marketing weapon.... Sorry don't understand

The quick answer is SP2000’s output power is far from being impressive. I remembered seeing its output power in some early day marketing material, and later people found out that the number is without any load, which means the number is useless.

 

[denis1976]

Impressive is the sp2000 sound, that is enough for me, voltage without load is a measure that used by other brands, what I find to be strange is the information is available for the se180 and not for the top of the range model, that's all, let's go to the se180...

 

[Vitaly2017]

LPTG, M11, R3, R6 Pro, R2R2000, Cayin N3 and AR-M2.

Hehe you gotta increase those flagship numbers bro. Technically you only heard LPGT and R8.... I understand R8 is the sound you prefer...

But there is much more available, R8 is not a flagship its a between mid and flagship dap position.

While R8 is great it is far behind what flagship offers. I ultimately consider only 4 flagship devices. 1z, N8, LPGT and sp2000.
Preferences may play a role here, in my opinion wm1z and the sp2000 are the two Lord daps that exists to date and sp2000 being even a more audiophile tuned signature then 1z. Based of your preference sp2000 SS or wm1a is your sound signature.... I think you will like the SS a lot

 

[bluestorm1992]

Hehe you gotta increase those flagship numbers bro. Technically you only heard LPGT and R8.... I understand R8 is the sound you prefer...

But there is much more available, R8 is not a flagship its a between mid and flagship dap position.

While R8 is great it is far behind what flagship offers. I ultimately consider only 4 flagship devices. 1z, N8, LPGT and sp2000.
Preferences may play a role here, in my opinion wm1z and the sp2000 are the two Lord daps that exists to date and sp2000 being even a more audiophile tuned signature then 1z. Based of your preference sp2000 SS or wm1a is your sound signature.... I think you will like the SS a lot

I think R8 is as good a pure Android DAP as you can get ATM. Plus it has a good SQ too.

 

[gLer]

Hehe you gotta increase those flagship numbers bro. Technically you only heard LPGT and R8.... I understand R8 is the sound you prefer...

But there is much more available, R8 is not a flagship its a between mid and flagship dap position.

While R8 is great it is far behind what flagship offers. I ultimately consider only 4 flagship devices. 1z, N8, LPGT and sp2000.
Preferences may play a role here, in my opinion wm1z and the sp2000 are the two Lord daps that exists to date and sp2000 being even a more audiophile tuned signature then 1z. Based of your preference sp2000 SS or wm1a is your sound signature.... I think you will like the SS a lot

I know it's OT but to make it topical, SE180 is far from flagship by your definition. Personally I consider R8 a true flagship in every sense. It has SQ that matches (and in some ways exceeds - preference) the LPGT, and is the fastest and most feature rich of the Android DAPs (A&K is not true Android and is therefore limited by comparison). It's also HiBy's 'most expensive' DAP (and in fact is the most expensive full Android DAP available), so if price and marketing is your criteria for flagship, it's very much a flagship. SQ at this level is subjective, and not the only criteria I would use to define a flagship. Right now there's not a single DAP, regardless of cost, that I would buy in place of the R8, and that includes the SP2K.

I think R8 is as good a pure Android DAP as you can get ATM. Plus it has a good SQ too.

Spot on, it's the best Android DAP available today based on the combination of features, build and SQ. A DAP is far more than SQ alone - versatility, speed, features, UI, UX, form factor, battery life, it all plays a part. R8 nails it better than anything else I've seen. Sure it will eventually be surpassed, DAP lifecycle is relatively short. But it's currently top dog in my opinion, and nothing about the SE180 changes that opinion for me.

I'd like to see A&K implement WiFi file management, DLNA and 4.4mm support in a flagship, then we can talk business.

 

[Tristy]

I know it's OT but to make it topical, SE180 is far from flagship by your definition. Personally I consider R8 a true flagship in every sense. It has SQ that matches (and in some ways exceeds - preference) the LPGT, and is the fastest and most feature rich of the Android DAPs (A&K is not true Android and is therefore limited by comparison). It's also HiBy's 'most expensive' DAP (and in fact is the most expensive full Android DAP available), so if price and marketing is your criteria for flagship, it's very much a flagship. SQ at this level is subjective, and not the only criteria I would use to define a flagship. Right now there's not a single DAP, regardless of cost, that I would buy in place of the R8, and that includes the SP2K.

Spot on, it's the best Android DAP available today based on the combination of features, build and SQ. A DAP is far more than SQ alone - versatility, speed, features, UI, UX, form factor, battery life, it all plays a part. R8 nails it better than anything else I've seen. Sure it will eventually be surpassed, DAP lifecycle is relatively short. But it's currently top dog in my opinion, and nothing about the SE180 changes that opinion for me.

I'd like to see A&K implement WiFi file management, DLNA and 4.4mm support in a flagship, then we can talk business.

Man these are pretty big statements considering you haven’t really heard everything that the current totl DAP market has to offer. Have you heard the DX300, M8 or DX220 Max? Or the SP2000 or SE200? This is why I’m so hesitant to make big generalised, sweeping statements about the gear that I own and that I am VERY happy with. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the R8 is a great DAP and has TOTL SQ but how can you say nothing else comes close to it when you’ve had no experience with any of the other players on the market?