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

[carlton22]

You think balanced would benefit them?

I honestly couldn’t say as I have only used the balanced connections. It’s another variable to try and see what you think, though.

 

[KindofBluer]

Here are my first impressions of SEM3. Heavy disclaimers: I’m used to the SEM4 sound. The sound is dependent on the headphones or IEMS (thank you, Captain Obvious). I mostly listen to downloaded hi res files with passive, wired headphones (currently T+A Solitaire Ts, and my reference albums include Heart “Dreamboat Annie”, Miles Davis “Kind of Blue”, Santana “Abraxas”, Elton John “Madman Across the Water”, Steely Dan “Gaucho”, and The New Appalachians “From the Mountaintop”. Finally,

With that out of the way, after 10 hours of listening to SEM3 I was happy to go back to SEM4. In a really broad sense I find the 4 much more compelling. I was expecting a more analytic, less warm sound and a wider sound stage from the 3, from all I have read, but when I AB’ed tracks I was more able to pick out individual instruments on the 4 and they sat better in the mix. I find the four much more compelling to listen to. Three tracks from “Madman” illustrate this. On “Levon” the 3 makes the organ sound harsh. “Razor Face” has an amazing fade out where the accordion and electric guitar rock out. The 3 left me flat. Finally, “Holiday Inn features some fine mandolin. Again, the 4 makes the track pop, and in fact I finally realized after hundreds of listens the track has a sitar.

Early days, and I’ll keep listening, but so far I’m firmly in the SEM4 camp.

 

[jjazzy]

Hello. I'm planning to join "the club". My SE180 should arrive today.
I had a chance to audition both SE180 and SE200 last Saturday.

I was very impressed:

Pros:
- SE180's tonality is very similar to my desktop system on ESS Sabre DAC (Burson Audio)
- I like this modular system > you have more flexibility to find your sound
- I like its 4.4 mm output (I own a good Plussound Poetry cable which can be used now)
- Roon Ready - can be easily integrated into my home environment (I know that the functionality of Roon here is limited but this is a good feature to have anyways)

Cons:
- bulky, can not really call it portable but I own a SA700 for on the go.

BTW, vs SA700 in my opinion: SE180 is more transparent, has better extension on both ends, has higher resolution and better instrument separation


IMHO I did not find the SE200 sounding superior. It sounds slightly different but not better.
I believe that the price difference between the two DAPs makes people (and some reviewers) think that the SE200 should be better.
I don't really like this "two DACs in one DAP' approach either. To me this feature is questionable...

I'm also planning to order a SEM3 module. I don't think I need the SEM2 on AKM.

Do you guys think that the SEM3 is the way to go since I like the SEM1? Thanks.

I have sem 1, 3 and 4. Sem 3 is the better 1. Actually the SEM3 & SEM4 are the better versions of the SEM1 & SEM2

But let's be honest they are all good, but the 3 and 4 are the best

 

[domdesilva]

I have sem 1, 3 and 4. Sem 3 is the better 1. Actually the SEM3 & SEM4 are the better versions of the SEM1 & SEM2

But let's be honest they are all good, but the 3 and 4 are the best

I also have the Sem 1, 3 and 4 and would agree that 3 and 4 are better than 1.
I still change from Sem 3 to 4 and vice versa every 2 weeks or so.
Sem 4 seems a bit wider but Sem 3 just a smidge more balanced. I Like both!

 

[jjazzy]

I also have the Sem 1, 3 and 4 and would agree that 3 and 4 are better than 1.
I still change from Sem 3 to 4 and vice versa every 2 weeks or so.
Sem 4 seems a bit wider but Sem 3 just a smidge more balanced. I Like both!

Funny I do the same, honestely even the 1 is quite okay ofcourse.

But there are moments I get fed up of the 4, then go to the 3, and after a while, the same happens to the 3 and I love the 4 again

They both have different qualities and are both very good.

I do wonder if the se200 with 4499 sounds better? Never heared it. I tried to find a decent compare somewhere, sem4 compared to the se200 4499, but seems nobody compared them

 

[twiceboss]

Anyone wanna trade his SEM3 to SEM4?

I have SEM4 and it's not my preference. I like SEM1 more and SEM3 should be what i should get.

 

[twiceboss]

Somebody interested in a 3,5 month barely used SEM3?

Me.

How much? Can ship to Malaysia?

 

[jjazzy]

Me.

How much? Can ship to Malaysia?

I don’t know have to look that up, sent me a PM with your adres

 

[twiceboss]

Im experiencing some weird situation where the SE180 sounds significantly better in USB DAC mode, connected to my phone via usb C cable.

Is there any reason why?

 

[theveterans]

Im experiencing some weird situation where the SE180 sounds significantly better in USB DAC mode, connected to my phone via usb C cable.

Is there any reason why?

It's possible that your phone is doing some DSP to alter the sound. My SP2000 sounds the same whether it's in USB mode or playing back on its internal storage

 

[AnirbanLahiry]

Im experiencing some weird situation where the SE180 sounds significantly better in USB DAC mode, connected to my phone via usb C cable.

Is there any reason why?

Are you using an android phone? I have used iPhone with it and it doesn’t change the sound for me

 

[twiceboss]

It's possible that your phone is doing some DSP to alter the sound. My SP2000 sounds the same whether it's in USB mode or playing back on its internal storage

No DSP no nothing.

Currently im feeling that SoC play a role as a source. SE180 SoC is not good which lead to these differences.

The noticeable differences are; definition, transients, dynamic, imaging accuracy. It's like there's no compression in sound compare to the stock SE180.

 

[twiceboss]

Are you using an android phone? I have used iPhone with it and it doesn’t change the sound for me

im using fold 4 and i already changed my internal settings for the USB to have zero log buffer etc.

 

[twiceboss]

I did multiple A B comparison, and i can confirm the PRaT is really the difference here.

What a finding.

 

[twiceboss]

Today, first time i tried 2.5mm output from SE180, i think this is by far the best output among the three.

It is really really good!