ASTELL&KERN SEM4 DAC MODULE FOR THE A&FUTURA SE180 MUSIC PLAYER

Astell&Kern has launched the SEM4 DAC module for its A&futura SE180 digital audio player.

The fourth module in the series, this dual-DAC Astell&Ken SEM4 DAC module is the first to feature Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) upsampling technology, enhancing the sample rate of the audio source.

The A&Futura SE180 DAP with the SEM4 DAC module

ASTELL&KERN A&FUTURA SE180 DAP

The A&futura SE180 is the first Astell&Kern player to have interchangeable all-in-one DAC modules, allowing users to customise their sound with different audio-flavoured DACs to find the sonics that suit them.

Our reviewer Janine loved the SE180 which she reviewed with the SEM1 DAC module, you can read about it here.

The Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 Portable Player features interchangeable DAC modules

ASTELL&KERN SEM4 DAC MODULE

The Astell&Kern SEM4 DAC module is equipped with an Asahi Kasei AK4493SEQ dual DAC for more natural playback. Its low-power consumption design provides 14 hours of playback. Specially developed for the SEM4, DAR (Digital Audio Remaster) upsamples the sound source up to a maximum PCM sample rate of 384 kHz/DSD256. Whatever file you are playing, the SEM4 will convert to a higher sample rate that suits the source.

Astell&Kern SEM4 DAC Module

For example, 44.1kHz range PCM will be converted to 352.8kHz for playback and 48kHz range PCM will be converted to 384kHz for playback. For DSD, PCM files lower than 96kHz will be converted to DSD128 for playback. PCM files over 96kHz will be converted to DSD256 for playback and DSD files below DSD256 will be converted to DSD256 for playback.

ASAHI KASEI AK4493SEQ DUAL DAC WITH VELVET SOUND

The SEM4 is the first Astell&Kern product to be equipped with a premium dual AK4493SEQ DAC from Asahi Kasei. Featuring VELVET SOUND™ technology, this DAC aims to deliver more natural audio with even lower noise and distortion, along with a wider dynamic range. Carefully selected advanced switch and capacitor components allow the low-power consumption design to provide a playback performance of up to 14 hours, the longest among SE180 modules.

With the SE180 DAP

SEM4 FEATURING TERATON ALPHA TECHNOLOGY

A result of extensive research and development, Astell&Kern’s patented TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution is designed to deliver audio playback close to the original sound. It removes power noise and provides efficient power consumption and amplification right through to the audio output interface stage where the digital-to-analogue signal conversion takes place.

THE ASTELL&KERN A&FUTURA SE180 DAC MODULE FAMILY

The SEM4 is the fourth in a series of DAC modules exclusively designed for the premium Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 portable digital audio player. Each DAC module offers different sonic characteristics. All modules support 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphones connections for accommodating a greater variety of headphones and in-ear monitors.

SEM1 ESS ES9038PRO (supplied with the SE180 player)

SEM2 Asahi Kasei AK4497EQ Dual DAC

SEM3 ESS ES9038Q2M Quad DAC

SEM4 Asahi Kasei AK4493SEQ Dual DAC

There are now four different DAC modules for the SE180

ASTELL&KERN SEM4 DAC MODULE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Body Material: Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate Body Colour: Moon Silver

Sample Rate: • PCM: 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample) • DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo • DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo / DSD512(1bit 22.4MHz), Stereo

Outputs: Unbalanced Out (3.5mm), Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported / 4.4m, only 5-pole supported)

Output Level: • [Normal Gain] Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load) • [High Gain] Unbalanced 3Vrms / Balanced 6Vrms (Condition No Load)

DAC: AKM AK4493SEQ x 2 (Dual DAC)

Decoding: Support up to 32bit / 768kHz Bit-to-Bit playback

Dimensions: 3.03″(77mm)[W] x 2.99″(76mm)[H] x 0.78″(19.9mm)[D]

Weight: 90g (3.17oz)

Playback Time: about 14hours (Standard: FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Unbalanced, Vol.50, LCD Off)

Frequency Response: • ±0.09dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.04dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced • ±0.65dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.65dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced

S/N: • [Normal Gain] 121dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 121dB @ 1kHz, Balanced • [High Gain] 125dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 125dB @ 1kHz, Balanced Crosstalk • [Normal Gain] -134dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -138dB @ 1kHz, Balanced • [High Gain] -135dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -143dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

THD+N • [Normal Gain] 0.0003% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balanced • [High Gain] 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Balanced

IMD SMPTE: 0.0003%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Unbalanced / 0.0003%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Balanced

Output Impedance: 3.5mm (1ohm) / 2.5mm (1.5ohm) / 4.4mm (1.5ohm)

ASTELL&KERN SEM4 DAC MODULE PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The optional Astell&Kern SEM4 DAC (Asahi Kasei AK4493SEQ Dual DAC Module) is priced £369 / $400 / €429 and will be available from May.

The Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 (with SEM1 ESS ES9038PRO DAC module) is priced £1,399 / $1,499 / €1,599 and is available now.

HiFi Pig Says: This is such an interesting product, the ability to personalise the sonic ‘flavour’ of your DAP really appealed to our reviewer when she tried the Astell&Kern A&futura SE180.

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