Astell & Kern SR25: The next A&norma player

[N.Mendes]

SR25 MKii - Firmware update request.

Background :

Hello all,
I have a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P6 speaker that streams music through Bluetooth and USB-c.
Audio USB runs smoothly on Mac and PC by selecting "Beoplay P6" on the audio settings, i then tried with my SR25 MKii and almost bricked it.

Here is the B&O answer :

"(...) We have no way to impact this as the speaker is plug and play, as you saw pretty much from your iMac. (...) The only suggestion I could provide here for a resolution would be to check with Astell & Kern if the DAP in question can provide a Windows-like connection, if you haven't check already of course, to the P6 as that would work around the limitation in place."

My request to A&K team, can you please update the firmware with a Windows-like or Mac-like connection that allows to select the output device under the Audio USB section?

Request 2 : A better connectivity to Mac would be wonderful as the Android app is finicky..


Greetings from Paris,

 

[cinelinde]

Request 2 : A better connectivity to Mac would be wonderful as the Android app is finicky..

You can use "Commander One" on Mac, works fine with the AK players

 

[Puertex]

Not with an AK - I do have a SR25 though and so far so good
I have had several batteries on an apple macbook do this but they have screw down backs and are quite easily replaceable.
If you look at the SR25 reviews on Amazon there are a couple of 1-star reviews that have experienced this problem so you are not alone
Did they give any special shipping instructions as lithium batteries that have swollen due to off-gassing are at greater risk of thermal runaway and present an increased fire hazard which may not always be possible to ship in all regions. Certainly they should never be sent via air.
Did they ask you to remove the battery from the unit before shipping and dispose of it safely if at all possible.

I do think that there should be at the very least a menu item showing the cycle count of the battery along with a simple health indicator so that owners can assess the potential aging of their device - especially in "luxury" products like these

IMHO batteries are a maintenance item and should be considered so when products are designed
My vote would definitely be for devices that had removable rear panels permitting access to the battery but I fear that in the great world of market trend we are just lonely voices shouting into the wind.

The failure mode of lithium batteries is one of the reasons I have never used and never will use rechargeable bluetooth earphones (that and the fact that bluetooth uses the same frequency as microwave ovens - oh no the conspiracy theories beckon )

Freddy, I appreciate your thorough response.
I do not see any reference to battery removal in the instructions.
I agree with you that there should be a battery cycle count and some indication of battery health.
Also, I too would prefer to have a removable rear panel to make it easier for me to replace the battery myself.
But that would prevent Astell from this revenue stream.
Its like some cars that have a cover over the engine signaling to owners that they cannot do any service themselves.
I think this is a manufacturer's way to force people to buy new products or to gain extra revenue from maintenance.
Like with cell phones where replacing batteries is very difficult.
Thanks for your response!
Puertex

 

[EvilJesus]

I agree with you. This may be the Achilles heal of these units.
If the battery may last 2 years in storage and the new units may have a 2 year old battery, the chances of an early failure on a new super expensive device is very high.
Have you experienced the back of one of them pop out?
Puertex

How long did the AK go without use? This happened to creative players back in the day. If you didn't charge and discharge the battery, after a 6 months or so the batteries would swell.

 

[emdeevee]

My old SR15 still holds a charge after many years, and my Kann Max had zero battery issues. AK battery is the most reliable!

 

[Puertex]

one thing is that with the SR25 AK used a glued construction which makes replacing it yourself all the more awkward
I think that older models like SR15, SE100 etc. had case backs that were held in place with screws which simplifies replacement by the owner
I'm not a fan of the whole glued together construction.

I noticed the glue and caseback you are describing.
The caseback is where the battery is glued to. The plate is removable so the plate and battery can be removed from the unit and then you can safely pry the old battery out and install a new one using double sided tape. There a couple of videos on Youtube showing the procedure.
I am still considering sending my SR25 out for repair but I am discouraged by the procedure to follow where I am required to fill out a form, write down my credit card information, including the 3 digit CVV code and send the form and SR25 by mail for repair. I don't think so.
I tried calling them by phone to see if I could just give them the credit card information over the phone but they don't answer their phone. Funny that they call this department "Customer Service".
So, I think I am going to not repair my SR25 and trash it. I am seriously considering a different brand.
I surely appreciated everyone's feedback !
Puertex

 

[freddyisaac]

I noticed the glue and caseback you are describing.
The caseback is where the battery is glued to. The plate is removable so the plate and battery can be removed from the unit and then you can safely pry the old battery out and install a new one using double sided tape. There a couple of videos on Youtube showing the procedure.
I am still considering sending my SR25 out for repair but I am discouraged by the procedure to follow where I am required to fill out a form, write down my credit card information, including the 3 digit CVV code and send the form and SR25 by mail for repair. I don't think so.
I tried calling them by phone to see if I could just give them the credit card information over the phone but they don't answer their phone. Funny that they call this department "Customer Service".
So, I think I am going to not repair my SR25 and trash it. I am seriously considering a different brand.
I surely appreciated everyone's feedback !
Puertex

hey don't trash it - i'll have it

 

[Queen6]

I noticed the glue and caseback you are describing.
The caseback is where the battery is glued to. The plate is removable so the plate and battery can be removed from the unit and then you can safely pry the old battery out and install a new one using double sided tape. There a couple of videos on Youtube showing the procedure.
I am still considering sending my SR25 out for repair but I am discouraged by the procedure to follow where I am required to fill out a form, write down my credit card information, including the 3 digit CVV code and send the form and SR25 by mail for repair. I don't think so.
I tried calling them by phone to see if I could just give them the credit card information over the phone but they don't answer their phone. Funny that they call this department "Customer Service".
So, I think I am going to not repair my SR25 and trash it. I am seriously considering a different brand.
I surely appreciated everyone's feedback !
Puertex

Me I'd dig out a procedure or YT, video, purchase a battery, find a decent phone repair shop. Would likely save half the cost and more importantly no way would I be sending such financial details to A&K via post being a recipe for a disaster...

Q-6

 

[N.Mendes]

I noticed the glue and caseback you are describing.
The caseback is where the battery is glued to. The plate is removable so the plate and battery can be removed from the unit and then you can safely pry the old battery out and install a new one using double sided tape. There a couple of videos on Youtube showing the procedure.
I am still considering sending my SR25 out for repair but I am discouraged by the procedure to follow where I am required to fill out a form, write down my credit card information, including the 3 digit CVV code and send the form and SR25 by mail for repair. I don't think so.
I tried calling them by phone to see if I could just give them the credit card information over the phone but they don't answer their phone. Funny that they call this department "Customer Service".
So, I think I am going to not repair my SR25 and trash it. I am seriously considering a different brand.
I surely appreciated everyone's feedback !
Puertex

If a repairman can do it, you can do it too, replacing a battery is the most basic task, don't be afraid of opening the device and do it on your own, you'll find some YT videos that show the procedure for earlier models, it should be basically the same..
-
Also, before i brick my 800€ player, does someone know if it is safe to install the Bang & Olufsen android app on the SR25 mk ii?
Thank you all

 

[freddyisaac]

If a repairman can do it, you can do it too, replacing a battery is the most basic task, don't be afraid of opening the device and do it on your own, you'll find some YT videos that show the procedure for earlier models, it should be basically the same..
-
Also, before i brick my 800€ player, does someone know if it is safe to install the Bang & Olufsen android app on the SR25 mk ii?
Thank you all

so ibasso have a disassembly video for the DX160 in which they use EVO Bond Debonder to weaken the adhesive on the case then a big sucker to lift the back off. Would probably work on the SR25 case which also appears bonded. Of course if the case is partly open due to the bloated battery it might be easier but given that the rear plate isn't metal (I don't think) to avoid cracking it is probably best to use something similar.
If iBasso use it on their dx160 then it is probably relatively safe to use in the presence of PCBs etc.
Once the remaining gunk is removed the problem remains of a suitable adhesive to use during reassembly
There are double sided electrical tapes used in some cell phones like kaisiking 2mm screen tape or glues like the T-7000 not sure if anyone has experience with these or any better suggestions

 

[uncle b]

I had the dreaded “back popped out/blown battery” issue. Had it replaced by A&K, and they recommended not leaving it plugged into any USB-C (charging or transferring) for too long (something I was very guilty of). I’ve followed that recommendation and not had any problems with the replacement. In fact, this battery is strong and I as much as I LOVE my SP3000, the SR25 has become my go-to for daily walks and gym time. The small screen and the general sound are small sacrifices to make in exchange for portability and strong long-life battery. I’ve got a pair of Campfire Audio ARA with a balanced cord plugged in the 2.5mm Jack. Sounding damn good. Also, less anxiety of walking around with a $3,600 DAP in your pocket!

 

[nomode]

I had the dreaded “back popped out/blown battery” issue. Had it replaced by A&K, and they recommended not leaving it plugged into any USB-C (charging or transferring) for too long (something I was very guilty of). I’ve followed that recommendation and not had any problems with the replacement. In fact, this battery is strong and I as much as I LOVE my SP3000, the SR25 has become my go-to for daily walks and gym time. The small screen and the general sound are small sacrifices to make in exchange for portability and strong long-life battery. I’ve got a pair of Campfire Audio ARA with a balanced cord plugged in the 2.5mm Jack. Sounding damn good. Also, less anxiety of walking around with a $3,600 DAP in your pocket!

How long did you have sr25 before the battery was blown?

 

[maico996]

Completely off topic but.......freakin' love Metal Church!! They're from my hometown and I've known them for a long time and got to tour with them as a guitar tech back in the early 90's.
Awesome band!!

 

[uncle b]

How long did you have sr25 before the battery was blown?

I purchased the SR25 brand new upon release in October 2020, the back popped out in November 2021 .

 

[nomode]

I purchased the SR25 brand new upon release in October 2020, the back popped out in November 2021 .

Thank you! Will take notice.