Astell&Kern A&Futura SE300 Portable Audio Player

ASTELL & KERN

A&futura SE300 portable audio player

The future of analogue sound: SE300

A&futura by Astell&Kern is a product line that represents Astell&Kern's relentless pursuit of innovation. The SE300, the fourth model in the A&futura range, is a premium digital audio player that inherits this identity and expands the possibilities of sound through a completely newly implemented technology.

The A&futura SE300 is equipped with an ultra-sophisticated R-2R DAC, Class A/AB dual amps developed with our proprietary TERATON ALPHA technology and for the first time with a self-developed FPGA-optimized technology. With these unsurpassed components, it offers the true sound philosophy and technology of Astell&Kern.

Immerse yourself in the true analog sound that the SE300 produces with Class-A AMP and R-2R DAC technologies, for the first time in an Astell&Kern player.

Fully discrete 24bit R-2R DAC

To ensure that the A&futura SE300 audio player reproduces analog sounds better, Astell&Kern combined the DAC and AMP sections for the first time in the initial design phase.

The SE300 comes with an R-2R DAC instead of a Delta-Sigma DAC used in most other audio players. Also known as a Ladder DAC because it arranges resistors in a ladder shape, the R-2R DAC offers a natural yet dynamic Hi-Fi sound, but is extremely technically demanding and difficult to execute due to the complex, sophisticated resistor units it uses and requires difficult-to-use current regulators.

Ultimate sound solution

Despite these technical challenges, after several years of development and many attempts, it was possible to overcome them and create a new analogue sound. We meticulously selected each of the 96 ultra-precise resistors and finalized our R-2R DAC technology.

Bringing a step closer to realizing analogue sound from a digital source, the SE300 is the result of a long journey that Astell&Kern undertook with uncompromising craftsmanship to find the ultimate sound solution.

Realization of 24-bit decoding with R-2R DAC

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

Ultra-precision resistor design, the key to Hi-Fi sound

In order to produce Hi-Fi sound with an R-2R DAC, it is crucial to sum the exact current value with resistors that have the smallest margins of error. To achieve this, Astell&Kern tested each specially selected ultra-precision resistor with an error margin of 0.01% to complete the SE300 design.

Ultra-precision TCR10 specifications

In order to produce Hi-Fi sound without distortion in such an extremely precise design, we analyzed and considered in advance all the potential effects that could be caused by temperature fluctuations. The SE300 ships with special *TCR10 specifications to minimize the changes in the 0.01% resistance error range.

* TCR10: 10ppm/? Low temperature coefficient of resistance

Support Class A/AB Dual AMP mode

The SE300 features a Dual AMP mode. Class A amplification ensures low distortion and natural sounds, while Class AB amplification reproduces dynamic sounds with high efficiency, allowing the user to choose between the two amplifiers depending on listening preferences and music genre.

Experience the true sounds that only Astell&Kern can deliver with the SE300, equipped with an R-2R DAC and Class A/AB Dual AMPs, the result of Astell&Kern's unique, proprietary design that reduces power consumption while maintaining the Increased performance and removed noise.

Class A AMP mode

Class A AMP is an analog amplifier that offers the best linear output, amplifies signals without distortion or signal loss, and delivers smooth, warm and natural sounds. The refined analog signal generated directly by the R-2R DAC is reproduced through the organic and powerful Class A AMP with a sound closest to the original analog sound.

Class AB AMP mode

The Class AB AMP is an analog amplifier that offers strong performance with the added benefit of high efficiency. This achieves a dynamic and clear sound with less harmonic distortion.

2-stage gain mode for the perfect hi-fi experience

For the seamless use of sensitive IEMs and hard-to-drive headphones, a device must offer suitable output power, regardless of the specification of the connected device.
The SE300 supports a 2-stage gain level mode to achieve the perfect match with a wide range of headphones and IEMs and ensure optimal sound output.

Two-stage gain adjustment with 'Normal' and 'High Gain' modes can produce high output current to achieve powerful sound and excellent driver control. With up to 6Vrms on the balanced connectors, driving high-impedance headphones has never been easier.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Housing color platinum silver

Housing material aluminum and stainless steel

Display 5.46 inch 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 (no load condition)

[High] Unbalanced 3Vrms ¦ Balanced 6Vrms (no load condition)

CPU quad core

DAC Full Discreet R-2R

Decoding support up to 32bit / 384kHz playback

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

Outputs Unbalanced output (3.5mm), Optical output (3.5mm)

Balanced output (2.5 mm, only 4-pin supported | 4.4 m, only 5-pin supported)

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)

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

Dimensions 76.45 mm (3.01')[W] x 139.45 mm (5.49')[H] x 17.6 mm (0.69')[D]

Weight approx. 317g (11.18oz)

Feature enhancements Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)

operating temperature 0? ~+40? (32?~ 104?)

audio performance

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 output 3.5 mm (1.3 ohms) ¦ Balanced output 2.5 mm (1.3 ohms), 4.4 mm (1.3 ohms)