Astell & Kern SR25: The next A&norma player

[oncdoc]

Hello, I just got the SR-25. I'm enjoying it but I purchased it to be able to download tidal offline. With the included app I don't see an option to download offline. Do I have to find an APK somewhere? And if so do I uninstall the included app first? The APK stuff seems like it's full of viruses all over the internet

 

[purplesun]

Hello, I just got the SR-25. I'm enjoying it but I purchased it to be able to download tidal offline. With the included app I don't see an option to download offline. Do I have to find an APK somewhere? And if so do I uninstall the included app first? The APK stuff seems like it's full of viruses all over the internet

The built-in Tidal app can co-exist with the downloaded Open App Tidal.

Have a read about the Open App Service
https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/open-app-service-instructions

Also, have a read about how to install XAPK apps
https://us.astellnkern.com/apps/help-center#hc-do-astellkern-players-support-xapk-files

 

[Neweymatt]

Hello, I just got the SR-25. I'm enjoying it but I purchased it to be able to download tidal offline. With the included app I don't see an option to download offline. Do I have to find an APK somewhere? And if so do I uninstall the included app first? The APK stuff seems like it's full of viruses all over the internet

Ha ha ha, I thought exactly the same thing when I installed the Tidal apk a few months ago. Must be the years of blissful ignorance living in Apple's walled garden...

A&K instructions on this are good, just go to apkpure.com, download XAPKInstaller and the Tidal APK. Copy them to the SR25, and then use XAPKInstaller to install the Tidal app.

Then you'll be good to go. If you've got an SD Card inserted into the SR25, you can go into settings to change where the app will store its downloads.

 

[oncdoc]

Thank you guys. Appreciate both of your help. I was able to get it done with trepidation. Some very shady shady looking websites to download this stuff from.

 

[purplesun]

Thank you guys. Appreciate both of your help. I was able to get it done with trepidation. Some very shady shady looking websites to download this stuff from.

A&K's Open App Service is a bit like playing in a protected sandbox, versus the full AndroidOS implementation. It should provide an extra margin of protection with its smaller list of approved apps & its reduced AndroidOS functionalities. But, of course, that also means it lacks the full capabilities of AndroidOS proper. You win some, you lose some!

 

[Burkhardt]

Thank you so much for your reply. Pardon my assumption, but your selection of CA Ara suggests that you are into critical listening. But for me, since I am very new into this, I want to feel intimate with the music and love the warmth with which it can envelope me. Hence I am contemplating, if I should go for CA Solaris 2020 + SR25 and call it my TOTL for many years to come. Thanks again for your response though, I will update the forum once I go ahead with this.

I'm using the SR25 with the Solaris 2020 and I'm very satisfied, because:
- really no hiss
- coloured music like with the Hifiman 1000 V2
- no problem with the power (50/160 on the A&K is really loud enough)

 

[pstefan98]

I'm using the SR25 with the Solaris 2020 and I'm very satisfied, because:
- really no hiss
- coloured music like with the Hifiman 1000 V2
- no problem with the power (50/160 on the A&K is really loud enough)

My SR25 is arriving on Monday and this will be my exact pairing, using 2.5mm BAL. Can’t wait!

 

[Palpatine79]

SR25 with Andromeda + FAW Hybrid 2,5

 

[oncdoc]

My SR25 is arriving on Monday and this will be my exact pairing, using 2.5mm BAL. Can’t wait!

The Solaris is so expensive. Do you think it's worth it? I have the fh7 and I'm running it in balanced. enjoying it but that's all I have so I don't know how to compare

 

[Queen6]

The Solaris is so expensive. Do you think it's worth it? I have the fh7 and I'm running it in balanced. enjoying it but that's all I have so I don't know how to compare

If your happy with the FH7 stick with them, if really interested in Solaris try to audition them or purchase from a returnable source. Solaris are technically better, equally they are also on the large side for some. Owning CF Andromeda myself, I would say if you can purchase without concern go ahead, if not look elsewhere. One of my favourite IEM's is the Dunu DK3001 Pro due to the comfort and sound signature, considering the new Dunu SA 6. As your questioning the price of Solaris I think that also answers your own question.

As ever audio gear is very much a game of diminishing returns where one frequently pays significantly more for ever smaller gains. If I was to spend deeper I look to Unique Melody MEST that said sometimes it's just good to be satisfied and enjoy the music for what it is

Q-6

 

[oncdoc]

If your happy with the FH7 stick with them, if really interested in Solaris try to audition them or purchase from a returnable source. Solaris are technically better, equally they are also on the large side for some. Owning CF Andromeda myself, I would say if you can purchase without concern go ahead, if not look elsewhere. One of my favourite IEM's is the Dunu DK3001 Pro due to the comfort and sound signature, considering the new Dunu SA 6. As your questioning the price of Solaris I think that also answers your own question.

As ever audio gear is very much a game of diminishing returns where one frequently pays significantly more for ever smaller gains. If I was to spend deeper I look to Unique Melody MEST that said sometimes it's just good to be satisfied and enjoy the music for what it is

Q-6

Lol. Thank you for your input. I will see if I could audition them somewhere

 

[tru6794]

SR25 with Andromeda + FAW Hybrid 2,5

I’m also matching them with Andromeda by the great suggestion from a nice guy in this forum

 

[purplesun]

Just ordered a TPU case for SR25
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001580930191.html

Vendor's photo

EDIT: 27 Oct.
Received the case. Ordered dark tint version..

Pros: Good quality thick TPU material. Tight fitting. Screen protectors (front & back) are also provided. The case gives the SR25 a solid rugged feel.

Cons: The power button lost it's clicking action but works fine. MicroSD port is covered, and with the tight-fitting case, removing/inserting microsd card will become a less frequent affair.

 

[Luis Mad]

Just got myself a new toy, an absolute leap forward for me in sound quality, the Denon Ah-D7200 in an excellent offer from amazonwarehouse with primeday discount. They work simply amazing with the SR25, a match made in heaven. I still have to get a balanced cable for them that in my opinion works so well on the SR25 as I have seen with the Sennheiser HD599 and the Final Audio E4000.

 

[KarlAgathon]

Just got myself a new toy, an absolute leap forward for me in sound quality, the Denon Ah-D7200 in an excellent offer from amazonwarehouse with primeday discount. They work simply amazing with the SR25, a match made in heaven. I still have to get a balanced cable for them that in my opinion works so well on the SR25 as I have seen with the Sennheiser HD599 and the Final Audio E4000.

Very happy owner of the 7200. Except in my case, I use it with the Hiby R6 Pro balanced.

Enjoy your new toy