Astell&Kern A&futura SE300 Digital Audio Player

Astell&Kern A&futura SE300 Digital Audio Player

 

The A&futura SE300 from Astell&Kern is an excellent choice for those looking for the best in digital audio quality. The SE300 combines the latest R-2R DAC, Class A/AB dual amps, and a proprietary FPGA optimised technology to result in an unrivaled listening experience. With these features and more, you can expect crisp and accurate sound from the SE300. Additionally, the SE300 supports Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless Hi-Fi, allowing you to stream your music seamlessly.

The new Crimson theme UI/UX offers an intuitive and modern way to navigate through your music library. All these features make the A&futura SE300 from Astell&Kern a must-have for audiophiles.

 

Features

• Fully Discrete 24 bit R-2R DAC
• Equipped with 96 ultra-precision 0.01% & TCR10 resistors
• New Dual AMP (Class A/AB) mode
• Option for OS / NOS modes
• Implemented self-developed and optimized FPGA technology
• New Crimson theme UI/UX
• Supports Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless Hi-Fi
• 5.46 inch Full HD Display
• Supports Native DSD256, 32bit/384kHz
• ReplayGain
• AK File Drop
• BT Sink
• Roon Ready and MQA Features

 

Fully Discrete 24bit R-2R DAC

To ensure the A&futura SE300 audio player better reproduces analog sounds, Astell&Kern set out to combine the DAC and AMP sections for the first time during the initial design phase.

The SE300 comes supplied with an R-2R DAC, instead of a Delta-Sigma DAC that is most commonly used in other audio players. R-2R DAC, also known as Ladder DAC, as it arranges resistors in a ladder form, offers natural yet dynamic Hi-Fi sounds, but it is extremely technical and difficult to execute as it requires complex refined resistor units and hard to manage current controls.
However, despite these technical challenges, after several years for development and a lot of trial and error Astell&Kern have managed to overcome this and create a new analog sound. In the process, they have meticulously selected each and every one of the 96 ultra-precision resistors and finalised their R-2R DAC technology.

SE300 takes us one step closer to realising analog sound from a digital source and is the result of a long journey taken by Astell&Kern with uncompromising craftsmanship to find the ultimate sound solution.

 

Realisation of 24-bit Decoding with R-2R DAC

The R-2R DAC within the SE300 arranges 48 pairs (23xR and 25x2R) of 96 ultra-precision resistors to create analog signals, in turn realising true Hi-Fi 24-bit decoding.

 

Ultra-precision resistor Design, the Key to Hi-Fi Sound

It is key to total the accurate current value with resistors that has the smallest error ranges in order to create Hi-Fi sound with an R-2R DAC. To realise this, Astell&Kern inspected each specifically selected ultra-precision resistor of 0.01% error range to complete the design of SE300.

 

Ultra-precision TCR10 Specifications

To create Hi-Fi sound without distortions within such an extreme precision design, Astell&Kern analysed and preconceived any potential impacts that may be caused by changes in temperature. The SE300 comes with special *TCR10 specifications to minimise the changes in the 0.01% resistor error range.

* TCR10: 10 ppm/℃ Low Temperature Coefficient of resistor

 

Supporting Class A/AB Dual AMP Mode

The SE300 comes with a Dual AMP mode. Class A amplification that creates low distortions and natural sounds and a Class AB amplification that plays dynamic sounds with high efficiency so users can pick and choose from the two amps according to their listening preferences and genre of music that they are playing.

Experience the true sounds that only Astell&Kern can deliver with the SE300 that comes with an R-2R DAC and Class A/AB Dual AMPs born from Astell&Kern’s unique proprietary designs that reduces power consumption whilst enhancing output and removing noise.

 

Class A AMP mode

Class A AMP is an analog amp that offers the best linear output, amplifying signals without distortion or loss of signal and providing soft, warm, and natural sounds. The refined analog signal created directly by the R-2R DAC, reproduces a sound closest to the original analog audio through the organic and powerful Class A AMP.

Class AB AMP Mode

Class AB AMP is an analog amp that offers a powerful output with the added benefit of high efficiency.
This presents dynamic and crisp sounds with less harmonic distortion.

 

2-Step Gain Mode for the Perfect Hi-Fi Experience

For seamless use of sensitive IEMs and hard to drive headphones, a device must provide suitable output, respective of the connected device’s specification.

The SE300 supports a 2-step Gain Level mode to create the prefect match for a wide range of headphones and IEMs, maintaining an optimal sound output.
The two-step gain setting with "Normal" and "High Gain" modes can generate a high current output to create a powerful sound and excellent driver control.
With up to 6 Vrms from the balanced connections, driving high-impedance headphones has never been easier.

 

	Normal Gain	High Gain
Output Level	Unbalanced 2Vrms	Unbalanced 3Vrms
Output Level	Balanced 4Vrms	Balanced 6Vrms

*Based on condition no load, there may be differences depending on the measurement method

 

Teraton Alpha Technology

It would not have been possible to combine the exquisitely designed R-2R DAC with ultra-precision resistors and Class A AMP, which was considered impossible to miniaturise, without the innovative audio technology of TERATON ALPHA. SE300 is an innovative audio player that is applied with current and temperature control of TERATON ALPHA technology and an optimised FPGA design.

TERATON ALPHA, engineered through endless research, is Astell&Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is as close to the original sound through effective power noise removal, efficient power management and unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface.
Circuit structures of R2R DAC and Dual A/AB AMP that are applied for the first time in the SE300 is completed with the sound solution of TERATON ALPHA, creating the purest form of sounds and music.

 

Supporting Optimised FPGA OS / NOS Modes

The SE300 comes with Astell&Kern’s exclusively developed FPGA and provides optimized OS / NOS modes.

The SE300 uses an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that AStell&Kern developed for optimised design instead of using common off the shelf commercial semiconductor chipsets, relaying digital signals to the R-2R DAC through its algorithm. Astell&Kern’s FPGA, developed specifically for the SE300, supports the most ideal OS (Over Sampling) / NOS (Non-Over Sampling).

Enjoy the sound styles reproduced by NOS and OS modes, meticulously designed for the SE300's hardware and programs.

 

NOS (Non-Over Sampling) Mode

In NOS mode, the player reproduces the pure original sound without any digital processing, allowing users to enjoy the true unprocessed sounds decoded by the R-2R DAC itself.

OS (Over Sampling) Mode

OS mode offers partial digital processing that expands the bandwidth of the original signal to offer impressive details, with an expansive sense of space creating crisp and clear sounds.

 

OS Option		Maximum Conversion Rate
PCM	OS Mode	Supports up to 8x conversion 44.1kHz range PCM will be converted to 352.8kHz for playback 48kHz range PCM will be converted to 384kHz for playback
PCM	NOS Mode	BYPASS (ex. 44.1kHz => 44.1kHz)
DSD	OS/NOS Mode	Supports up to DSD 256 for playback

 

New User Interface

The SE300 comes with a redesigned Crimson-themed UI/UX transforming into a "true music player" for users to deeply connect with their music listening experience.

The new UI/UX is designed so that users can quickly browse music categories and re-discover songs within their music library.
Astell&Kern also added an easy album art search function so that users can re-discover the joy of viewing and interacting with music album art whilst listening to their music.

The crimson theme focuses on edge, simplicity, and dark mode keywords. The colour theme of black with red highlights lowers visual fatigue and offers intuitive user experiences, and many other improvements were made to the device’s user-friendliness of app service, artist view, album sorting, and the album art search function.

Immerse yourself in music with the new UI/UX.

 

Design

The design concept for the A&futura SE300 is 'Stream'. Like small ripples on water turning into crashing waves, Astell&Kern designed the SE300 with Class A AMP, the ultimate AMP form, to have a unique identity.

The main body made from aluminum has streamlined surfaces that represent the flow of music. Through this, a firm yet flexible image is created. Astell&Kern added intensity by using contrasting materials such as stainless steel and glass to further enhance the theme of 'Stream'. In addition to this, the bottom section of the device curves outward, allowing for a more ergonomic grip whilst using the player.

The right side of the SE300 is coated with stainless steel to enhance visual focus. The polished side and triangular-patterned volume wheel are key to creating powerful and visually striking contrasts. The straight pattern on the rear of the volume wheel elevates the visual density and allows users to control volume and visually check the changes. The wheel lighting is placed behind the volume wheel to avoid direct exposure whilst allowing the light to be reflected on the side decorations and volume wheel knurl, creating the effect of light bursting from the inside.

The rear glass also features a new etching pattern, continuing the concept of 'Stream'. The basic pattern features the A logo of Astell&Kern, designed to present an overall flow of stream with differences in size. This etching pattern amplifies the sense of flow with the differences in inclinations, adding a sense of depth to the rectangular rear glass that may otherwise look dull.

 

Specification

• Model: SE300
• Body Color: Platinum Silver
• Body Material: Aluminum and Stainless Steel
• Display: 5.46inch HD 1080 x 1920 touch screen
• Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
• Sample rate
  • PCM : 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample)
  • DSD : DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo
• Output Level
  • [Normal] Unbalanced 2Vrms │ Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load)
  • [High] Unbalanced 3Vrms │ Balanced 6Vrms (Condition No Load)
• CPU: Quad-core
• DAC: Full Discrete R-2R
• Decoding: Support up to 32bit / 384kHz playback
• Input: USB Type-C input (for charging & PC & MAC)
• Outputs
  • Unbalanced Out (3.5mm), Optical Out(3.5mm)
  • Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported | 4.4m, only 5-pole supported)
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
• Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
• Dimensions: 3.01” (76.45mm)[W] x 5.49” (139.45mm)[H] x 0.69” (17.6mm)[D]
• Weight: About 11.18oz (317g)
• Feature Enhancements: Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
• Operating Temperature: 0℃ ~ + 40℃ (32℉~ 104℉)
• Frequency Response
  • ±0.038dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced │Balanced
  • ±0.45dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced │Balanced
• S/N
  • 114dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 115dB @ 1kHz, Balanced (Normal Gain)
  • 115dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 115dB @ 1kHz, Balanced (High Gain)
• Crosstalk: -135dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -144dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• THD+N: 0.006% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.006% @ 1kHz, Balanced
• IMD SMPTE: 0.005% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │Balanced
• Output Impedance: Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (1.3ohm) │ Balanced Out 2.5mm (1.3ohm), 4.4mm(1.3ohm)
• Clock Jitter: 25pS (Typ)
• Reference Clock Jitter: 500 Femto Seconds
• Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
• External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)
• Capacity: 5,050mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
• Charge Time: about 3.5hours (9V 1.67A Charging)
• Playback Time: about 12hours (Standard : FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.50, LCD Off, Normal Gain)
• Supported OS: Windows 10,11(32/64bit) MAC OS X 10.7

 

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is the ultimate digital music source that brings you Mastering Quality Sound or MQS. Astell means ‘Stars’ in Latin and Kern means ‘Center’ in German. We believe Astell&Kern is the center of music.

Today, original music performances can be captured in digital almost exactly as they were performed due to new, advanced recording technology currently available. However, these high quality recordings are mainly listened to through inferior sound formats, such as MP3 or through streaming services. With the debut of the MP3 format, music lovers sacrificed sound quality for the convenience of being able to carry their music collection wherever they went. Because the MP3 format heavily compresses files for the sake of convenience, the vocals and instruments you hear are only an inferior version of the original. The soundstage and the ambience of the original performance often disappears when listening to compressed MP3 music. After pondering these issues, Astell&Kern was our solution to poor sound quality for the sake of portability, and our way in reviving the original sound quality of music, MQS, for music artists, recording engineers, and professionals.

Astell&Kern's pursuit is to provide natural and original sound without distortion. It showcases the presence of the original recording with miniscule details you may not have noticed from other music systems, while playing back high-resolution music bit by bit, exactly as it was recorded. The ability to play back the exact recording of any live performance is what Astell&Kern is known for.

The power of true sound from Astell&Kern can now be experienced and has been part of many famous audio exhibitions around the world. Astell&Kern is now admired by music lovers from many countries, including the USA, China, Japan, UK, France, and many more around the world.