[RONJA MESCO]

Today I went back to my Hifi dealer to listen to SA700 again. I did spend over an hour with it and SE100 to compare. I ended up buying SE100.

I also had a long talk with my dealer who knows all A&K products and has the whole palette in his shop. He agreed upon my impression that SA700 sounds inferior to Kann despite the price which is close to SE100.

I have to refine my first impressions of SA700 though: Everything is basically there, but after a long listen I found that everything in the sound signature works on it's own, separate, not as a whole.

When I compared on the fly with SE100, everything just came together. The sound was way more coherent. My dealer agreed. We both independently ranked SE 100 1st, Kann 2nd, SA700 3rd.

Additionally the SE100 apparently has the far better CPU making the UI a joy to browse. Also, even though the SE100 is much bigger, it is way lighter than SA700 and less scratch-prone

Cheers,

Tom

Thanks for this comparo....this is like the third time I've heard this from many reviewers...I'm gonna try for the SE100 as my next addition.

 

[RONJA MESCO]

Less than 3 years is hardly "prehistoric." The AK4492 is a well regarded, well documented DAC and a perfect choice for a mid-tier DAP like the SA700.

but damn..is the SA700 really mid tier? Most mid-tiers are under $1k....I see this as lower high end for sure. Even the SE100 and SP1000 as priced as similar an mos def not mid-tier.

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

/\ It feels like mid-tier in A&K's lineup. If $699 is their low end and $3499 is their flagship...I think their models between $1000-1699 are mid-tier.

 

[Focux]

Build quality is fantastic as usual
But SQ wise prefer SE100
Better separation on SE100 although SA700 is definitely detailed
Timbre is warmer/thicker than SE100

 

[ryan740]

What case is that.

I think this DAP is awesome. Best I have owned. Things to be aware of.

1. Software sucks. A&K should purchase an Iphone and base user experience from that
2. this thing is heavy. I had no idea it was this heavy.
3. Give me a case in the package. For real. $1200 no case?
4. Did I mention the software sucks.
5 Sounds amazing. Separation is great. I have no idea what more you could ask for. More power? I do not need it.

 

[orifiel]

Somebody compares this DAP vs the AK240 and SR15?
It is better?
If it’s better than both, i’m sold

 

[Focux]

What case is that.

I think this DAP is awesome. Best I have owned. Things to be aware of.

1. Software sucks. A&K should purchase an Iphone and base user experience from that
2. this thing is heavy. I had no idea it was this heavy.
3. Give me a case in the package. For real. $1200 no case?
4. Did I mention the software sucks.
5 Sounds amazing. Separation is great. I have no idea what more you could ask for. More power? I do not need it.

Dignis case for SA700

 

[kel77]

Dignis case for SA700

I believe that's AK's own branded case which has the metal plating at rear of case for heat dissipation.
Dignis will be releasing one themselves.

 

[Focux]

I believe that's AK's own branded case which has the metal plating at rear of case for heat dissipation.
Dignis will be releasing one themselves.

oh yes you are right my apologies

 

[shryn]

Somebody compares this DAP vs the AK240 and SR15?
It is better?
If it’s better than both, i’m sold

IMHO it's better than SR15 in almost every way except the weight - it's quite heavy. It's been a while since I listened to 240 so cannot comment. I think SA700 is more comparable to SE100; it's just a matter of taste.

 

[ryan740]

Has anyone successfully loaded any sort of browser on this unit?

 

[NewEve]

Anyone could tell us how does it compare to Sony's NW-ZX300?

 

[NewEve]

Dignis case for SA700

Coming: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7FGV48pAf2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

[NewEve]

1. Software sucks. A&K should purchase an Iphone and base user experience from that
4. Did I mention the software sucks.

To each his/her own but, for me, AK has the best Android customization out there as far as I am concerned.

If one is looking for a music-orientated UI with streaming capabilities when ones needs them yet otherwise on the side -- it is absolutely brilliant.

I mainly listen to local music and Spotify for discovery. The interface I had on my A&norma SR15 was the best I came across after Sony's on the ZX300 (which can't stream though).

 

[ryan740]

Has anyone successfully loaded any sort of browser on this unit?

I am trying to log onto the internet at a Hilton Hotel. The log in requires an internet browser splash page.

Has anyone had success doing this or a work around?