Astell & Kern SR25: The next A&norma player

[amarkabove]

Finally stopped lurking to ask a question:

I just picked up a SR25 when they dropped the price and I'm loving it so far but last night I noticed that if I'm streaming Tidal there seems to be some wi-fi noise coming thru. I've really only noticed it using IEMs and even then it's only really prevalent if I'm using my Campfire Holocene's. I know it's the wi-fi because if I turn off the connection and listen to stuff downloaded in the Tidal app it goes away. It also goes away once the song has finished buffering and then restarts with the next track. The noise will also continue for a second or so when I pause. My question is if this just something that happens with this player or if I should look into having it looked at?

 

[Luis Mad]

Finally stopped lurking to ask a question:

I just picked up a SR25 when they dropped the price and I'm loving it so far but last night I noticed that if I'm streaming Tidal there seems to be some wi-fi noise coming thru. I've really only noticed it using IEMs and even then it's only really prevalent if I'm using my Campfire Holocene's. I know it's the wi-fi because if I turn off the connection and listen to stuff downloaded in the Tidal app it goes away. It also goes away once the song has finished buffering and then restarts with the next track. The noise will also continue for a second or so when I pause. My question is if this just something that happens with this player or if I should look into having it looked at?

I had Tidal for less than a year, not any more. I never has the problem that you describe.

 

[amarkabove]

I had Tidal for less than a year, not any more. I never has the problem that you describe.

I don't think it's a Tidal specific problem that just so happens to be the only streaming service I currently have.

 

[Luis Mad]

I don't think it's a Tidal specific problem that just so happens to be the only streaming service I currently have.

I have always had Apple Music and had for some time Amazon HD and also Deezer. I have never experienced the problem that you describe.

 

[BenGast]

Thanks @Luis Mad @BMAN94 and @maico996 for your comments about SR25's software.

I don't use much IEM's so sony's volume limitation is a blocker. I will to listen and to use SR25 at a shop and will see...

 

[czm84]

del

 

[mainguy]

I just got this lil guy.

Is it me or does it have no technical capabilities over an apple dongle?
Basically i sent me Sony wm1a in for repair (with wm1z firmware) and got this as i saw it cheap, as my sony player is apparently beyond repair.
I blind tested my wm1a vs apple dongle and could easily tell the better device.
But with this....Not sure, I see differences but no clear winner. The Apple dongle reproduces male vocals better and has a nicer low end, the SR25 has slightly better high end detail. But its really not an upgrade to my ears.

Anyone else done this comparison?

 

[amarkabove]

I just got this lil guy.

Is it me or does it have no technical capabilities over an apple dongle?
Basically i sent me Sony wm1a in for repair (with wm1z firmware) and got this as i saw it cheap, as my sony player is apparently beyond repair.
I blind tested my wm1a vs apple dongle and could easily tell the better device.
But with this....Not sure, I see differences but no clear winner. The Apple dongle reproduces male vocals better and has a nicer low end, the SR25 has slightly better high end detail. But its really not an upgrade to my ears.

Anyone else done this comparison?

Assuming the same files are being used on both, are you sure you don't have pre-existing EQ settings engaged on the Apple device? I certainly notice more detail, separation, and overall quality on the SR25 vs. the Apple dongle.

 

[Neweymatt]

I just got this lil guy.

Is it me or does it have no technical capabilities over an apple dongle?
Basically i sent me Sony wm1a in for repair (with wm1z firmware) and got this as i saw it cheap, as my sony player is apparently beyond repair.
I blind tested my wm1a vs apple dongle and could easily tell the better device.
But with this....Not sure, I see differences but no clear winner. The Apple dongle reproduces male vocals better and has a nicer low end, the SR25 has slightly better high end detail. But its really not an upgrade to my ears.

Anyone else done this comparison?

Yeah, while the Apple dongle is a reasonable solution at a good price, the difference in upgrade to SR25 is quite noticeable to me.

Soundstage on the dongle is very 2D and narrow. The DAC produces many artefacts that I can't help but hear, this is primarily a gritty sort of glare that I can hear in the upper midrange and treble. This is either bad or worse, depending which IEM I'm using.

To me, the SR25 produces a much smoother more pleasing tone with improved soundstage, especially noticeable with the Andro2020. Of course, YMMV.

 

[mainguy]

Yeah, while the Apple dongle is a reasonable solution at a good price, the difference in upgrade to SR25 is quite noticeable to me.

Soundstage on the dongle is very 2D and narrow. The DAC produces many artefacts that I can't help but hear, this is primarily a gritty sort of glare that I can hear in the upper midrange and treble. This is either bad or worse, depending which IEM I'm using.

To me, the SR25 produces a much smoother more pleasing tone with improved soundstage, especially noticeable with the Andro2020. Of course, YMMV.

I like the sound signature. I tested another album and think the SR25 has a wider soundstage for sure than the dongle, it also has superior image seperation. I prefer the bass on the dongle though.

Btw, can you use it as a bluetooth dac for your phone?

 

[rlw6534]

The Apple dongle is pretty amazing for $9 and it actually measures quite well. Of course, more expensive solutions "probably" sound better but the diminishing returns really hits hard here. As a wannabe audiophile, the $$$ must be worth something, right? I actually picked up my Apple adapter again to listen to Apple Spatial Audio and Lossless and was pleasantly surprised at how well it sounds with easily driven IEMs.

 

[luckexplorer]

What interesting ! In the user manual' s SR25 MKII bluetooth type is ... 5.0 not 4.2 as wrote in the web site.

 

[luckexplorer]

A test of the sr25 MKII and AK Zero here : https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/review/1368273.html

 

[kpfeifle]

Hey, quick question about the SR25. I know its not open android and their are only a few whitelisted apps that can be loaded, but has anybody found a PDF reader that works? I have a lot of classical albums with a pdf, and it would be nice to view them while listening!

 

[Luis Mad]

Hey, quick question about the SR25. I know its not open android and their are only a few whitelisted apps that can be loaded, but has anybody found a PDF reader that works? I have a lot of classical albums with a pdf, and it would be nice to view them while listening!

I think it is not possible. When I tried to install an app out of the whitelisted, it simply does not let you see it on the player and does not let you install it. Unless a whitelisted app has a pdf reader function, I think this is not possible.