ASTELL&KERN A&FUTURA SE180 WITH INTERCHANGEABLE DACS

Astell&Kern has introduced the Astell&Kern A&futura SE180, the third model in its A&futura series and the portable audio brand’s first player to feature interchangeable all-in-one DAC modules.

Expanding on the multi-DAC innovation first introduced with the SE200, users can customise their sound with different “audio-flavoured” DACs.

Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 Portable Player

TERATON ALPHA

The A&futura SE180 is the company’s most advanced player yet and is the first model to feature Astell&Kern’s TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution technology, an enhanced user-interface design, a full HD display and added advanced connectivity functionality.

ASTELL&KERN A&FUTURA SE180

Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 new audio design and feature innovations include:

Interchangeable all-in-one DAC modules

New TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution technology

Full HD display for improved image quality

Enhanced user interface more consistent with an Android smartphone experience

AK File Drop for easier wireless file transfers

BT Sink function for simpler connection of the SE180 to an external Bluetooth device

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

INTERCHANGEABLE DAC MODULES

The interchangeable DAC design not only offers a new level of audio flexibility for the user but also improves the sound performance, claim A&K. By physically separating the main body from the all-in-one module, power and radio frequency (RF) noise generated by the main unit is blocked. This creates an independent structure that prevents noise from interfering with music playback.

The module slots easily into place from the top of the player and features an innovative double locking mechanism that securely connects each component.

The A&futura SE180 arrives with a default module featuring the SEM1 ESS ES9038PRO, an 8-channel DAC traditionally used for premium home audio equipment. This DAC provides audio file support for high-resolution fans, with the SEM1 DAC capable of playing up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256 files.

The SEM2 Asahi Kasei AK4497EQ Dual DAC will be the first optional module available on launch with the ability to play files up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512. Both modules support 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphones connections for accommodating a greater variety of headphones and in-ear monitors (IEM), while there is support for MQA playback via downloaded MQA audio files and through the Tidal music app. The next DAC module will be released later in the year with another model following in the first half of 2022.

INTRODUCING TERATON ALPHA SOUND SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY

The 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. The onboard DAC is not the only factor that determines the quality of sound from a DAP: Power, noise, signal conversion, circuit structure all effect the sound signature.

With the A&futura SE180 the first to harbour TERATON ALPHA technology, it effectively 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 (DAC) takes place.

ENHANCED USER INTERFACE DESIGN

The A&futura SE180 user-interface has been enhanced to offer an experience consistent with an Android smartphone. A new navigation bar pinned at the bottom of the screen allows users to control playback and skip tracks from any screen, while a single swipe returns to the previous screen. Like the SE200, users can also discern the volume level, file type and bitrate being played thanks to the colour-coded LED light surrounding the player’s volume wheel.

FULL HD DISPLAY

Album artwork pops from the screen with the A&futura SE180 is the first Astell&Kern player to boast a full HD display. This 5-inch touchscreen packs a 1920×1080 pixel resolution, 16.7 million colours and 441 PPI, resulting in a clean and sharp user-interface design.

Astell&Kern A&futura SE180 Portable Player with full HD display

CONNECTIVITY

The A&futura SE180 is also the first model to feature AK File Drop for easier wireless file transfers. Users can wirelessly transfer files through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network to make music management even more convenient.

The newly introduced BT Sink function connects the A&futura SE180 to an external device, such as a smartphone, via Bluetooth, enabling music to be played back in high-quality on the Astell&Kern player.

Elsewhere the A&futura SE180 boasts Bluetooth 5.0, providing greater range and a more stable wireless connection to headphones and, along with support for 24-bit aptX HD and LDAC codecs, offers the best possible wireless sound quality.

The A&futura SE180 features 256GB on-board memory that can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card slot, meaning users can carry thousands of hi-res albums with them at all times.

LEATHER CASE

To keep the A&futura SE180 in pristine condition but still stylish, a Black or Navy leather case is available. Using quality Badalassi Carlo Minerva leather, this material is made from a process called ‘full vegetable tanning’, a traditional method used in Italy for over 200 years, that brings out the special characteristic of leather while creating a natural tanning look. A variety of trees and plants are involved in this tanning process which takes about 40 days to complete, while containing oil that allows the leather to shine the more it is used.

ASTELL&KERN A&FUTURA SE180 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Body Material: Aluminium

Colour: Moon Silver

Display: 5-inch, 1920×1080 FHD

Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA

Services: (Tidal Masters), Local files, External USB, MQA-CD (ripped)

Input: USB Type-C input (for PC & MAC)

Charging: 9V 1.67A / 5V 2A

Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)

Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)

Dimensions:

3.03″(77mm)[W] x 5.09″(129.2mm)[H] x 0.78″(19.9mm)[D] (Only body)

3.03″(77mm)[W] x 5.4″(137.2mm)[H] x 0.78″(19.9mm)[D] (Combined with a module)

Weight: 9.88oz (280g)

Feature Enhancements: Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)

SAR: Body 10g SAR (W/Kg) _ WLAN 2.4Ghz: 0.016

Clock Jitter: 25ps (Typ)

Reference Clock Jitter: 800 Femto Seconds

Wheel: LED Light (LED Indicator)

Built-In Memory: 256GB (NAND)

External Memory: microSD Card x1 (Max. 1TB)

Battery Capacity: 3,800mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer Battery

Charge Time: About 5 hours (Standard: 5V / 2A Charging), about 3 hours (Fast: 9V / 1.67A Charging)

Supported OS: Windows 8,10(32/64bit) Mac OS X 10.7 and up

Astell&Kern SEM1 DAC

Body Material: Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate

Body Colour: Moon Silver

Sample Rate:

PCM: 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample)

DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo /

DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo

Outputs: Unbalanced Out (3.5mm), Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported / 4.4mm, 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: ESS ES9038PRO (Single DAC)

Decoding: Support up to 32bit / 384kHz Bit-to-Bit playback

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

Weight: 3.53oz (100g)

Playback Time: About 10.5hours (FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.50, LCD Off)

Frequency Response:

±0.04dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced /

±0.04dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced

±0.07dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced /

±0.06dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced

Signal-to-noise ratio:

[Normal Gain] 122dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 126dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

[High Gain] 125dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 129dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

Crosstalk:

[Normal Gain] -138dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -145dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

[High Gain] -138dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -147dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

THD+N:

[Normal Gain] 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balanced

[High Gain] 0.0007% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Balanced

IMD SMPTE: 0.0004%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Unbalanced / 0.0004%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Balanced

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

Astell&Kern SEM2 DAC

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 / 4.4mm, 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 AK4497EQ x2 (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: 3.53oz (100g)

Playback Time: About 10.5hours (FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.50, LCD Off)

Frequency Response:

±0.07dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced /

±0.06dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced

±0.68dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced /

±0.67dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced

Signal-to-noise ratio:

[Normal Gain] 122dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 124dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

[High Gain] 125dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 127dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

Crosstalk:

[Normal Gain] -138dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -145dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

[High Gain] -138dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -147dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

THD+N:

[Normal Gain] 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Balanced

[High Gain] 0.0008% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Balanced

IMD SMPTE: 0.0002%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Unbalanced / 0.0002%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Balanced

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

ASTELL&KERN A&FUTURA SE180 PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

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

The optional Astell&Kern SEM2 DAC (Asahi Kasei AK4497EQ Dual DAC Module) is priced £319 / $349 / €379 and will be available from May.

Get all the latest Hifi News with Hifi Pig here!