[XP_98]

I am curious how the SE 100 compares to the SP 1000.

+1, and also with Plenue 2.
But it seems too soon for such interesting informations...

 

[dhc0329]

While my SP000ss being sent to AK for repair I am tempted to purchase SE100 just because it uses different 8xchannel dac chip.
So far I have not found any meaningful review to determine where SE100 really stands. There is no point getting this as sp1000 owner if
there is not much difference in terms of sound characteristic. I would expect this to be inferior in sound compared to sp1000
considering the MSRP.

 

[DoctorHeadz]

I have SE100
System 1.02CM
TIDAL 1.5
latest version.
No TIDAL offline support function.

 

[lights]

While my SP000ss being sent to AK for repair I am tempted to purchased SE100 just because it uses different 8xchannel dac chip.
So far I have not found any meaningful review to determine where SE100 really stands. There is no point getting this as sp1000 owner if
there is not much difference in terms of sound characteristic. I would expected this to be inferior in sound compared to sp1000
considering the MSRP.

Well there's no particular reason the ES9038Pro should sound inferior to the AK4497EQ.

Looking at the datasheets the ES9038Pro is technically better in some respects such as dynamic range.

 

[Tinnitus Man]

Is there a chance that anyone who owns an SE100 could post a YouTube showing the hew UI? I’ve seen no hands on videos yet and it would be great to see one in action.

 

[Jimmyf1312]

I have SE100
System 1.02CM
TIDAL 1.5
latest version.
No TIDAL offline support function.

Do you need to do anything to the software to use tidal on the device or does tidal come on the UI from the factory

 

[mrmoto050]

Do you need to do anything to the software to use tidal on the device or does tidal come on the UI from the factory

It comes pre-loaded in Store, all you need to do is sign in and it is automatic afterwards. You just can't download only stream.

 

[LCeh]

So I finally got a chance to audition the SE100 and do some A/B comparison with my SP1000 SS, here are sone impressions:

First thing you will notice is that the SE100 is A LOT lighter than the SP1000 due to the different chassis material, so if weight was a concern for you with SP1000, this should help.

I was only able to find a couple songs that's on the demo unit and my SP1000, so take it with a grain of salt.

The clarity is there. It's pretty clean up top, the vocal sounds pretty similar to the SP1000, and with a slightly more aggressive low end. With the SP1000, I think it wins on 2 fronts: soundstage and dynamics.

The presentation of the SE100 is pretty flat, ie its very horizontal. When I go back to my SP1000, I find the music to be a lot more 3D. Width wise they are pretty similar, but the SP1000 has more depth and height as well.

The next thing I notice is the dynamics. The decay of notes are better rendered on the sp1000, the sound goes smoother from soft to loud or vice versa.

So if you ask me, at half the price, the SE100 offers a lot of what the SP1000 does, but just with a less refined presentation. Hope that helps.

 

[R7photo]

I know there was a rumor of in future Tidal offline, but at present no AK daps do tidal offline per discussion on threads,,,this may change in future as many have requested / express need.

 

[diver110]

So I finally got a chance to audition the SE100 and do some A/B comparison with my SP1000 SS, here are sone impressions:

First thing you will notice is that the SE100 is A LOT lighter than the SP1000 due to the different chassis material, so if weight was a concern for you with SP1000, this should help.

I was only able to find a couple songs that's on the demo unit and my SP1000, so take it with a grain of salt.

The clarity is there. It's pretty clean up top, the vocal sounds pretty similar to the SP1000, and with a slightly more aggressive low end. With the SP1000, I think it wins on 2 fronts: soundstage and dynamics.

The presentation of the SE100 is pretty flat, ie its very horizontal. When I go back to my SP1000, I find the music to be a lot more 3D. Width wise they are pretty similar, but the SP1000 has more depth and height as well.

The next thing I notice is the dynamics. The decay of notes are better rendered on the sp1000, the sound goes smoother from soft to loud or vice versa.

So if you ask me, at half the price, the SE100 offers a lot of what the SP1000 does, but just with a less refined presentation. Hope that helps.

I know this is a hard call, but how much better would you say the SP1000 is, 10%? More?

 

[artpiggo]

I have tried both devices. I would say I am impressed with SE100. I think they tune it refined and smooth with great detail and soundstage with adequate amount of impact and bass to enjoy variety of genre.

While I do not quite impresed with SR15. I think it is too boring sounding compared to 70ii at same price range, I still find 70ii is a best price : performance for all AK products.

 

[LCeh]

I know this is a hard call, but how much better would you say the SP1000 is, 10%? More?

Like you said it's hard to say. If you don't do a direct side by side comparison, I guess the biggest difference is the presentation of sound. SE100 sounds more up front, bass is slightly more aggresive, everything sounds a bit closer.

 

[andybo]

Doe the SE100 with balanced out go with Mrspeakers AEON closed? The Aeon needs minimum 200mw at 16 ohm. The SE100 hat only 4 Vrms 1ohm outpout on balanced. The AK Kann has 7... That brings the SE100 with 16 ohm loads ? More than 200mw? Thanks.

 

[denis1976]

I think that your calculations are wrong, 1ohm is the output impedance, is not saying that the 4volts are at 1 ohm, but the blame is from AK that is not clear in that subject

 

[denis1976]

But i would say that by standard 4 v are more or less 400 to 500 mw into 32ohms