[rbalcom]

Does anyone know if the Norma is a plausible alternative for Tidal MQA streaming, compared to something like a v30 hooked to a brilliant portable DAC like the ultrasone NAOS(which is a tiny dongle) ?

I think we have come far enough to not see the point in owning a DAP if the SQ is a 'significant' bump.

Hard to know if something that is not currently supported will be a plausible alternative, but maybe based on https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ast...ressions-reviews.885313/page-19#post-14602071

 

[Tsukuyomi]

do you guys know the pros and cons for the SR15s amp vs the Sony ZX300s digital amp?
I can't figure it out myself :S

 

[abitdeef]

do you guys know the pros and cons for the SR15s amp vs the Sony ZX300s digital amp?
I can't figure it out myself :S

Digital amp uses less power, runs cooler- timing for the low pass filter can be tricky though. Usually has less output, but Sony has overcome both of these cons over the years.

That’s how Sony gets such good battery life.

Class A amps are usually more powerful and have a bit more bite on dynamics and attack. AK SR15 shows these characteristics. Of course they run hotter and use more juice.

If you don’t need Tidal, or want a smaller profile dap like me, you could import the ZX300A which has less onboard memory, but is identical otherwise. It would save you some cash.

To power your pros though you’d have to probably go 4.4 balanced. I don’t think the SE has enough juice on the Sony. I only use iems and occasionally meize 99s- nothing hard to drive.

Soundwise you’re not going to lose either way.

The Sony doesn’t even have a dac, it doesn’t need one with the class D it just goes through a low pass filter then to your ears.

 

[Tsukuyomi]

Digital amp uses less power, runs cooler- timing for the low pass filter can be tricky though. Usually has less output, but Sony has overcome both of these cons over the years.

That’s how Sony gets such good battery life.

Class A amps are usually more powerful and have a bit more bite on dynamics and attack. AK SR15 shows these characteristics. Of course they run hotter and use more juice.

If you don’t need Tidal, or want a smaller profile dap like me, you could import the ZX300A which has less onboard memory, but is identical otherwise. It would save you some cash.

To power your pros though you’d have to probably go 4.4 balanced. I don’t think the SE has enough juice on the Sony. I only use iems and occasionally meize 99s- nothing hard to drive.

Soundwise you’re not going to lose either way.

The Sony doesn’t even have a dac, it doesn’t need one with the class D it just goes through a low pass filter then to your ears.

I wont be taking my 1990Pros outside and i usually only use them with my desktop solution. But, im thinking of taking my B&O H62ndgen, Focal Elegia around. and im hoping that the SR15 can run both thoes beautifully via SE. but since the SR15 has a DAC do you think it sounds better than the non dac sony?

 

[abitdeef]

I wont be taking my 1990Pros outside and i usually only use them with my desktop solution. But, im thinking of taking my B&O H62ndgen, Focal Elegia around. and im hoping that the SR15 can run both thoes beautifully via SE. but since the SR15 has a DAC do you think it sounds better than the non dac sony?

Yes through SE I think SR15 sounds better, probably the way AK tuned the amp section and low pass filter than the dac itself. Although it has great specs like most modern DACs.

I love the SR15, it sounds very clean and musical and very dynamic. Of course the awesome aesthetics of it help and of course it’s ‘new’ to me haha

But no it’s one of the best I’ve heard, and I love the form factor and UI.

If you do get one, get a case- it’s really slippery with that back I’ve already dropped it (thankfully on carpet) The Sony is more ergonomic with it’s shape.

 

[Tsukuyomi]

im def getting it, i just need jasonnyc to give me an update on their supplier restructuring for canada and i also have to wait for my local shop to call me when they get one.

 

[abitdeef]

im def getting it, i just need jasonnyc to give me an update on their supplier restructuring for canada and i also have to wait for my local shop to call me when they get one.

Nice! I guess it’s to expensive to get from the US. Hopefully they get it sorted fast, I’m sure they’ll sell more than a couple up there

 

[Tsukuyomi]

Nice! I guess it’s to expensive to get from the US. Hopefully they get it sorted fast, I’m sure they’ll sell more than a couple up there

well they do sell it here, but its sold out everywhere i go from official retailers.
i could order it from the u.s. but, it would hit me with shipping + tax + duties which would end up almost being 1500$ and that point.. might aswell get the SE100 ?

 

[mmu16]

I believe MQA decoding for the SR15 is just a firmware update away. Last i heard was a December release date. Maybe the AK rep dude can comment here.

 

[JasonNYC]

I believe MQA decoding for the SR15 is just a firmware update away. Last i heard was a December release date. Maybe the AK rep dude can comment here.

Correct. MQA is a firmware update, targeted for end of next week.

 

[IrishAudio]

Correct. MQA is a firmware update, targeted for end of next week.

Will the software enable 1x or 4x unfolding? Though, I’m not so sure about this origami unfolding of lossy files to make them equivalent to lossless.

 

[abitdeef]

Correct. MQA is a firmware update, targeted for end of next week.

Excellent! Any chance on LDAC down the road? That would make this thing ‘the kitchen sink’ of all small daps. Also is there a list of apps AK supports for the SR15? Internet radio would be awesome too- don’t know if it’s possible but I thought I’d ask

 

[JasonNYC]

Will the software enable 1x or 4x unfolding? Though, I’m not so sure about this origami unfolding of lossy files to make them equivalent to lossless.

Our players have a full decoder built in, so they can unfold all the way to the original resolution of the file.

 

[JasonNYC]

Excellent! Any chance on LDAC down the road? That would make this thing ‘the kitchen sink’ of all small daps. Also is there a list of apps AK supports for the SR15? Internet radio would be awesome too- don’t know if it’s possible but I thought I’d ask

Not sure about LDAC at this time. We do support aptX HD currently.

List of apps supported can be found here - https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/open-app-service-instructions

Tune-in Radio is one of the supported apps for Internet radio

 

[abitdeef]

Not sure about LDAC at this time. We do support aptX HD currently.

List of apps supported can be found here - https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/open-app-service-instructions

Tune-in Radio is one of the supported apps for Internet radio

Thank you! You guys are on the ball!