Astell & Kern SR25: The next A&norma player

[GreenBow]

I regularly use the SR25 for 'extended' stretches of up to 6 hours, mostly using the 3.5mm output and the unit gets quite warm and when I have used the 2.5mm for similar amounts of time it gets very hot. Does anybody else's get similarly warm/hot - anything to be concerned about?

It depends if it worries you. Electronics are generally OK when the kit is running warm. I imagine A&K will have fitted thermal trips for overheat protection.

In balanced you are running twice the ampitude, and cancelling out differences. It runs the signal and an inverted version of the signal. Meaning yes it is likely that why your 2.5mm connection is running the DAP hotter.

 

[GreenBow]

So after a couple of days with my SR25 i have to say I am a bit underwhelmed. I think my expectations were just too high, especially compared to what I am used to with my Chord Mojo. The little Mojo just does a great job, but having to pair it with a phone was just too unwieldy for me, which is why i went with the AK. I have to try it with some other iem’s to fully evaluate before I decide if I will keep it or let it go. I do love the physical nature of the device, it is a stunning piece of craftsmanship. I must say, I did not expect to have as much problem with reading the screen as I do with my aging eyes. I actually had not even thought of that, but it is almost necessary for me to have my glasses on in order to really interact fully with the device.

Yes it's a shame that Chord never moved to making a DAP with a screen from the Mojo. ... We never know though, times are a changing.

The Mojo was however the best DAC up to the 2Qute, which was once priced at £1000. Hoping a fully functioning DAP to be near that is wishful. ... I do however know exactly what you mean, even though I do not own the SR25. One just hopes a DAP will get near to the Mojo. ........ There simply is not anything digital that competes with Chord for audio quality at a give price point.

I totally agree with you about the Mojo needing a cable source, which makes it unwieldy. The Chord Poly is still not 100% for some, so I am avoiding it; so sad that though.

 

[GreenBow]

Please does anyone know if the SR25 can install Chord Electronics' GoFigure app? Then control a Poly or 2Go.

I have seen a Fiio DAP do it. I think it was the Fiio M11 on Currawong's Youtube vid of the 2Go + Hugo 2.

Dear moderators, sorry about three posts together like this.

 

[povidlo]

Please does anyone know if the SR25 can install Chord Electronics' GoFigure app? Then control a Poly or 2Go.

I have seen a Fiio DAP do it. I think it was the Fiio M11 on Currawong's Youtube vid of the 2Go + Hugo 2.

Dear moderators, sorry about three posts together like this.

No, only apps listed on this page are allowed to be installed:

https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/open-app-service-instructions

 

[GreenBow]

No, only apps listed on this page are allowed to be installed:

https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/open-app-service-instructions

Thank you for the link. ... However I am not entirely sure that A&K verified allowed apps, are all that can be installed. At the bottom of the page of the link it says:

- Caution -

The source of apps listed is unknown and not provided by Astell&Kern. Please be aware that if any app is installed, the device may be damaged and personal data compromised. If you install an app from an unknown source, despite the warning, Astell&Kern is not responsible for any damages to the device and data resulting from the app's installation, and downloading and installing such apps may limit the scope of after-sales services provided by Astell&Kern.

Installation of any app is under the discretion of the user.



NOTABLY the point where it says: If you install an app from an unknown source ... etc.

It surely means you can install apps from unknown sources.

Still, thank you though. Hopefully A&K will help me out, or someone will have a conclusing answer.

 

[rlw6534]

Thank you for the link. ... However I am not entirely sure that A&K verified allowed apps, are all that can be installed. At the bottom of the page of the link it says:

- Caution -

The source of apps listed is unknown and not provided by Astell&Kern. Please be aware that if any app is installed, the device may be damaged and personal data compromised. If you install an app from an unknown source, despite the warning, Astell&Kern is not responsible for any damages to the device and data resulting from the app's installation, and downloading and installing such apps may limit the scope of after-sales services provided by Astell&Kern.

Installation of any app is under the discretion of the user.



NOTABLY the point where it says: If you install an app from an unknown source ... etc.

It surely means you can install apps from unknown sources.

Still, thank you though. Hopefully A&K will help me out, or someone will have a conclusing answer.

A&K definitely uses a whitelist based on the application id. If it's not on the list, it won't install (or even show up to be installed).

 

[GlennCharles63]

Yes it's a shame that Chord never moved to making a DAP with a screen from the Mojo. ... We never know though, times are a changing.

The Mojo was however the best DAC up to the 2Qute, which was once priced at £1000. Hoping a fully functioning DAP to be near that is wishful. ... I do however know exactly what you mean, even though I do not own the SR25. One just hopes a DAP will get near to the Mojo. ........ There simply is not anything digital that competes with Chord for audio quality at a give price point.

I totally agree with you about the Mojo needing a cable source, which makes it unwieldy. The Chord Poly is still not 100% for some, so I am avoiding it; so sad that though.

I have had the Poly for two years and it does nothing but frustrate me. Honestly, I have just given up and relegated an old iPhone as a cable source. However, I would pay good money for an all inclusive solution from Chord. The use of an iPhone, while it works, is just unwieldy, not to mention that I am convinced that Apple degrades them over time on purpose. So, I have ordered another cable from Moon Audio to connect the SR25 to the Mojo, with the Poly just lying around taking up shelf space. Who knows, it has been a while, I would not be surprised to see Chord come up with something new and integrated sooner rather than later????

 

[Neweymatt]

The use of an iPhone, while it works, is just unwieldy, not to mention that I am convinced that Apple degrades them over time on purpose.

No disrespect, but isn't using the SR25 as a source for the Mojo just as unwieldy as using an iPhone? You've got 2 devices with a cable either way. I couldn't be bothered doing that, just use one or the other...

Who knows, it has been a while, I would not be surprised to see Chord come up with something new and integrated sooner rather than later????

Yes agree with you there. Aside from the fact the SR25 is a simple all-in-one solution, this is another big reason I bought it instead of Mojo, it's been like 5+ years since Chord released it? Couldn't pay full price for a new Mojo at this stage, surely there's a new entry-level device coming from them soon...

 

[Hooster]

So after a couple of days with my SR25 i have to say I am a bit underwhelmed. I think my expectations were just too high, especially compared to what I am used to with my Chord Mojo. The little Mojo just does a great job, but having to pair it with a phone was just too unwieldy for me, which is why i went with the AK. I have to try it with some other iem’s to fully evaluate before I decide if I will keep it or let it go. I do love the physical nature of the device, it is a stunning piece of craftsmanship. I must say, I did not expect to have as much problem with reading the screen as I do with my aging eyes. I actually had not even thought of that, but it is almost necessary for me to have my glasses on in order to really interact fully with the device.

I honestly don't see the appeal of the Chord Mojo and to me the sound quality was nothing to write home about. I don't have mine any more so I can not compare directly but my impression is that the sound quality of the SR-25 is at least as good as the Mojo's and the build quality and user friendliness is just light years ahead of it. In my opinion the Mojo is outdated and not competitive in today's market. I would not want a Mojo, even if you gave it to me.

 

[GlennCharles63]

No disrespect, but isn't using the SR25 as a source for the Mojo just as unwieldy as using an iPhone? You've got 2 devices with a cable either way. I couldn't be bothered doing that, just use one or the other...


Yes agree with you there. Aside from the fact the SR25 is a simple all-in-one solution, this is another big reason I bought it instead of Mojo, it's been like 5+ years since Chord released it? Couldn't pay full price for a new Mojo at this stage, surely there's a new entry-level device coming from them soon...

No disrespect taken. I think it is just a personal thing for me as I don’t like to use my phone that way... I know it is crazy, makes no sense, but I do like the idea/concept of a completely dedicated unit, which is why I got the SR25... I realize completely these are really stupid first world problems — Who knows where I will end up but for now i am going to give this a shot. Oh, also, I do have a massive CD library that has been ripped and is on a card, so that is one more reason the phone did not give me everything i wanted, although to be fair, i am definitely becoming more and more hooked on Tidal.

 

[GlennCharles63]

I honestly don't see the appeal of the Chord Mojo and to me the sound quality was nothing to write home about. I don't have mine any more so I can not compare directly but my impression is that the sound quality of the SR-25 is at least as good as the Mojo's and the build quality and user friendliness is just light years ahead of it. In my opinion the Mojo is outdated and not competitive in today's market. I would not want a Mojo, even if you gave it to me.

I think the one thing i have learned about the hifi world is how differently everyone hears things, so i completely respect your view. For me, I just prefer the sound from the Mojo over the AK. However, I completely concur that using the Mojo is just a PITA. Hoping that they come out with something more user friendly in the future.

 

[GreenBow]

I have had the Poly for two years and it does nothing but frustrate me. Honestly, I have just given up and relegated an old iPhone as a cable source. However, I would pay good money for an all inclusive solution from Chord. The use of an iPhone, while it works, is just unwieldy, not to mention that I am convinced that Apple degrades them over time on purpose. So, I have ordered another cable from Moon Audio to connect the SR25 to the Mojo, with the Poly just lying around taking up shelf space. Who knows, it has been a while, I would not be surprised to see Chord come up with something new and integrated sooner rather than later????

Depending on when you last tried with Poly, it may be worth updating to the latest firmware. There was a marked improvement for most after one particular firmware update. That was maybe six months ago, so there will have been even more work since then. ... If nothing, it should be worth one look to see if there is an update. Then a quick look over to see any of your issues got solved.

I personally bought a Sony ZX300 DAP two and a half years ago. The A&K (A&K 70 or Jnr, I think at the time) player was better in reviews. However the Sony had 32 hours battery life, while the A&K had about eight.

Thankfully A&K have fixed battery life with the SR25 and Alpha Kann. (Even if the Alpha Kann looks something like a house brick.) ..... I may venture into getting an A&K then.

My Sony ZX300 never came close to the Mojo. They had similar tone, but Mojo dsiplayed way more detail and organisation. Mojo is considerably more engaging. However I was not prepared to fight with the Poly at that time. Both Poly and 2Go continue to improve though. Wish Chord had developed it before releasing it - what a mess.

However even though my Sony DAP doesn't come close to the Mojo, I still love it. I use it for walks and travel, and sometimes as a music source for DACs. ... The SR25 should knock my Sony DAP out of the park.

 

[Chaz1952]

Hi. Anyone else use this TPU case for their SR25? Thinking about the black shaded one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-IRIVER...-/324330406437?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

On a side note: having a heck of a time getting bubble free application of the A&K supplied screen protectors. Ruined a front/back set, then gave up. Bubbles, dust specks underneath, misaligned... you name it!

I do have it in the A&K leather case, but I think it hides the cool design of the player.

 

[GlennCharles63]

I went with the Dignis case, bought from Moon. Very nice case, but it sounds, like you, I hate covering up the industrial design of the unit. If I am being honest, it is that design which pushed me over the edge to A&K. However, it does look like it is easily scratched, so I succumbed to both cases and screen protectors. I went through one set before getting it right... Good luck.

 

[tbrobison]

New owner of an A&K SR25. So far I like it. I am a bit concerned in its random crashes. Don't know what's up with that. Another thing that has me befuddled is album artwork. I have my entire collection on a 512GB card, the same collection that I have on an external, SSD, which I have connected to my Bluesound Node 2i. All the album artwork shows up on the Node 2i controll/browser (MacOS). Not all of the artwork shows up on the SR25. Here's a head scratcher; I have the 5 disc collection from, World Party - Arkeology set. The files are in AIFF format, with an identical jpg of the cover art loaded into each disc folder (copied to each folder via "paste".). Three of the discs show up with cover art on the SR25, the two remaining have no cover art.

Have anyone else seen this sort of thing? And, does anyone else experience random crashes?