Astell & Kern SR25: The next A&norma player

[Desmnod]

Does buying this

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001423423832.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.23.1af46d04hI75TX

using this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Geekria-Balanced-Gold-Plated-Adapter-NW-WM1A-Gold/dp/B075165H2M

Really improve sound quality massively?

Thanks,

D

 

[uncle b]

WOW that not so good...

Q-6

So what is so shocking is I've owned numerous A&K DAP's, always used SanDisk Extreme Cards in them, literally have never had any problems with just plugging the cards in and loading them up with music, I've haven't needed outside programs or work arounds. The whole A&K ownership experience over several years has been seamless, dependable and easy, and why I continue to return to the product line. The internal memory loads up no problem , but the player only has 64GB on board! This SR25 has my frustration level off the charts. I've tried erasing and reformatting these cards, brand new outta their packages. Every time I think I've got it, I press play on the music and i get this "THIS SONG CANNOT BE PLAYED BACK" along the bottom of the screen!!!

 

[Monkeyk2010]

I've tried erasing and reformatting these cards, brand new outta their packages. Every time I think I've got it, I press play on the music and i get this "THIS SONG CANNOT BE PLAYED BACK" along the bottom of the screen!!!

You proberly already tried but just a tip. Formatting de sdcard must be done using a program like Guiformat FAT32 with "Allocation unit size" = 32768.
The allocation size was the answer for me (Ive had problems using a 256gb on a cowon player). I used the card on the cowon, transferred the card to the sr25 and in a few minute all my music was available.

 

[JasonNYC]

So what is so shocking is I've owned numerous A&K DAP's, always used SanDisk Extreme Cards in them, literally have never had any problems with just plugging the cards in and loading them up with music, I've haven't needed outside programs or work arounds. The whole A&K ownership experience over several years has been seamless, dependable and easy, and why I continue to return to the product line. The internal memory loads up no problem , but the player only has 64GB on board! This SR25 has my frustration level off the charts. I've tried erasing and reformatting these cards, brand new outta their packages. Every time I think I've got it, I press play on the music and i get this "THIS SONG CANNOT BE PLAYED BACK" along the bottom of the screen!!!

Have you tried doing a manual media scan after inserting the card? It could be an issue with a particular track being in an unsupported file format or a corrupt track. When you insert a new card, the player will scan the card in the background over several restarts. By doing a manual scan, you force the player to do a full scan at once. I can take up to 20 minutes to complete the scan depending on the number of files.

Settings -> System reset -> Initialize media scan

 

[uncle b]

Have you tried doing a manual media scan after inserting the card? It could be an issue with a particular track being in an unsupported file format or a corrupt track. When you insert a new card, the player will scan the card in the background over several restarts. By doing a manual scan, you force the player to do a full scan at once. I can take up to 20 minutes to complete the scan depending on the number of files.

Settings -> System reset -> Initialize media scan

Thanks for checking in. Here’s the deal: I followed your recommendation, but when I go into system reset, “initialize media scan” is not available to press (it’s kinda shaded out). Regretfully, my (second replacement) unit is heading back to A&K tomorrow morning. For some strange reason the SD card will not play music, though the information and artwork is all there. Any music (same format, ALAC) that is loaded onto the internal memory, plays with no issue.

 

[JasonNYC]

Thanks for checking in. Here’s the deal: I followed your recommendation, but when I go into system reset, “initialize media scan” is not available to press (it’s kinda shaded out). Regretfully, my (second replacement) unit is heading back to A&K tomorrow morning. For some strange reason the SD card will not play music, though the information and artwork is all there. Any music (same format, ALAC) that is loaded onto the internal memory, plays with no issue.

The option will not be available until the player performs it's first scan. Once the initial scan completes, you will have the option to perform a manual scan.

 

[Tstorey]

Question for the collective wisdom on here?

Having bought an SR25 and loading Amazon HD music (I have an Amazon HD subscription) I’m finding that half of the time it doesn’t play the files in HD (or ultra HD) and instead gives me a warning that the files has only been downloaded in standard quality (and teases me by saying. HD version is available). I’ve got both streaming and download set to maximum quality available, 400gb memory card (with around 250gb free) but still keep getting this irritating message. I’ve tried deleting and re-downloading which sometimes seems to work. Even the track listing for offline shows the files as HD until I start playing them and then sometimes it’s HD, sometimes standard.

Whilst it still sounds amazing one of the main attractions was the ability to utilise my HD subscription and really get the benefit of higher quality files. Can anyone suggest a solution please?

(also A&K when are you going to approve the “calm” meditation app? )

 

[Neweymatt]

Question for the collective wisdom on here?

Having bought an SR25 and loading Amazon HD music (I have an Amazon HD subscription) I’m finding that half of the time it doesn’t play the files in HD (or ultra HD) and instead gives me a warning that the files has only been downloaded in standard quality (and teases me by saying. HD version is available). I’ve got both streaming and download set to maximum quality available, 400gb memory card (with around 250gb free) but still keep getting this irritating message. I’ve tried deleting and re-downloading which sometimes seems to work. Even the track listing for offline shows the files as HD until I start playing them and then sometimes it’s HD, sometimes standard.

Whilst it still sounds amazing one of the main attractions was the ability to utilise my HD subscription and really get the benefit of higher quality files. Can anyone suggest a solution please?

(also A&K when are you going to approve the “calm” meditation app? )

Have you tried following up with Amazon on this? Sounds more like an app issue, not managing SD vs HD versions of music properly.

I've had my own fair share of problems with the Tidal app on the SR25, but nothing quite like this.

 

[JasonNYC]

Question for the collective wisdom on here?

Having bought an SR25 and loading Amazon HD music (I have an Amazon HD subscription) I’m finding that half of the time it doesn’t play the files in HD (or ultra HD) and instead gives me a warning that the files has only been downloaded in standard quality (and teases me by saying. HD version is available). I’ve got both streaming and download set to maximum quality available, 400gb memory card (with around 250gb free) but still keep getting this irritating message. I’ve tried deleting and re-downloading which sometimes seems to work. Even the track listing for offline shows the files as HD until I start playing them and then sometimes it’s HD, sometimes standard.

Whilst it still sounds amazing one of the main attractions was the ability to utilise my HD subscription and really get the benefit of higher quality files. Can anyone suggest a solution please?

(also A&K when are you going to approve the “calm” meditation app? )

It's a bug in the Amazon Music app. I have the same issue on my Android smartphone. It supposedly will be fixed in the next app update from Amazon.

 

[Tstorey]

Have you tried following up with Amazon on this? Sounds more like an app issue, not managing SD vs HD versions of music properly.

I've had my own fair share of problems with the Tidal app on the SR25, but nothing quite like this.

It's a bug in the Amazon Music app. I have the same issue on my Android smartphone. It supposedly will be fixed in the next app update from Amazon.

thanks Guys, much appreciated, it’s been driving me insane trying to fix and google fixes.

 

[Monkeyk2010]

Are you referring to a wobble centered along the axis of the volume knob? I cannot detect any wobble on mine.
Or, are you referring to the "loose" spring action for each click when you turn the volume knob? It doesn't feel very positive on mine, but should not cause any functional problem.

I have the sr25 since last saturday and also have a "wobble" in the volume wheel, i was wondering now that the sr25 has been sold for more months if more people experience this?
I made a short video of my example: https://streamable.com/9vf8p1

 

[Tstorey]

Just checked and there’s an update on the 13th November, anyone installed it yet?

 

[Luis Mad]

Just checked and there’s an update on the 13th November, anyone installed it yet?

Mine says 1.20 running latest version

 

[Mightygrey]

Hi guys, I've posted my full review of the SR25 over here. It's a great little piece of kit!

 

[Luis Mad]

Hi guys, I've posted my full review of the SR25 over here. It's a great little piece of kit!

Cheers for the review!
I only have easy to drive but it is good to know that it can drive decently the 300 ohms HD600!