Astell&Kern A&norma SR25 | Digital Audio Player
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Our Take
The SR25 takes takes some of the best in digital audio technology and puts it into a more affordable package. It has a smooth, rich output with a touch of warmth that creates a musical delivery you won't want to put down. |
From Astell&Kern
The SR25 is the second model in the Astell&Kern A&norma standard line. Beginning with the AK70, Astell&Kern's goal was to bring high resolution audio and the Astell&Kern sound to more music lovers. This goal continued with the successor to the AK70, the A&norma SR15, and now evolves further as the SR25, a premium product that fully embraces Astell&Kern's philosophy and technology, now available to the masses. The SR25 is the latest answer to our never-ending question of "How do we get closer to the original sound the artist intended?"
The SR25 improves on the SR15 by:
- Adding a new, faster Quad-Core CPU paired with the Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 Master Hi-Fi level DAC, first used on the SR15
- Native playback support for DSD256
- A new class-leading performance mode for ultra-high quality playback without compromise
- Newly designed circuitry to improve sound quality enhancements
- Addition of Bluetooth LDAC codec to give users more options for higher quality wireless sound
- The essence of Astell&Kern's philosophy that sound quality is never compromised is exemplified in the SR25, which expresses every musical detail and bit-perfect playback as only Astell&Kern can.
Performance Mode for Ultra High Resolution Sound
The SR25 supports native DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz audio for the first time in an Astell&Kern standard product and boasts performance that cannot be compared with other competitors' products.
The SR25, which is smaller than other players, has been developed to achieve stable, ultra-high resolution sound. We have developed a new Performance Mode with the SR25 that automatically optimizes and sets the memory mode in the system according to the data size of the source being played.
As the resolution of the sound source increases, it is necessary to process a large amount of data rapidly. If this part is not optimized, sound breakup may occur. To prevent this, the SR25 uses the new Performance Mode to adjust and optimize the system in order to produce near perfect sound quality when playing back high resolution audio.
Experience ultra-high resolution with the SR25's Performance Mode, which reproduces even the smallest, minute details of the original recording the artist was looking for, without compromise.
Perfect Circuit Design for the Highest Sound Quality
Proper playback of DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz digital audio requires a high-performance CPU and fast memory speed, along with an audio path suitable for high-speed signal processing.
Optimizing the length of the audio path is a very important part, as failing to properly do so can create a time delay between the signals resulting in sound abnormalities.
With the SR25, the Astell&Kern team developed a completely different PCB design from the existing SR15 to process the high speed signals where required, resulting in audio path lengths that are the same, allowing for super-high resolution sound without any delay.
Furthermore, newly designed audio patterns and power circuits for distortion-free signal transmission and noise rejection are applied to each channel.
The result is an Ultra Low Noise Filter that allows you experience Astell&Kern's flawless sound, with Zero Noise, on the SR25.
Embark on a Musical Journey That Lasts the Entire Day
If the power supply's stable design and efficiency are not properly taken into consideration, the input/output voltage difference becomes large, and when the output current is large, the output voltage can become unstable. This leads to excessive noise being generated, which can be a major cause of poor sound quality. In addition, poor power efficiency will result in a shorter playback time.
The SR25 set a big challenge for the Astell&Kern engineering team – add the longest playback time of any previous Astell&Kern product, while maintaining the signature Astell&Kern quality sound, and a low-noise floor.
In the SR25, the team not only applied highly efficient components, but they focused on developing circuit optimizations to get the most out of their performance.
The result is up to 21 hours of continuous play time, more than double the previous generation SR15, with no compromise in sound quality.
No need to worry about battery life while on your daily journey, just have fun on your Music Trip with the SR25.
Continuous Playback Time
* Standard - MUSIC: FLAC, 16-bit/44.1kHz, Unbalance, Volume 80, EQ OFF, LCD OFF
No Compromise on Sound, Even When Connected Wirelessly
In addition to 24-bit music playback via aptXTM HD Bluetooth as in previous Astell&Kern players, the SR25 adds LDAC support to give users more options to listen to high resolution audio wirelessly.
Now you can enjoy Astell&Kern's high-quality sound when paired to Bluetooth earphones, headphones and speakers.
Bluetooth Code Bit-rates Compared (kbps)
Astell&Kern's Exclusive Metalworking Technology
Astell&Kern products are often compared to art sculptures, with colorful faces and angles not found in other products. This precise design work is based on Astell&Kern's long accumulated know-how and highly precise metalworking technology.
In order to produce this unique style Astell&Kern is famous for, 5-axis machining is performed instead of traditional 3-axis machining used in general machining. All metal must be processed at once without interruption.
In addition to 5-axis machining, Astell&Kern has perfected it's crafting of metal through thousands of hours of trial and error. Only after mastering these techniques that Astell&Kern has developed, can the beauty of the metal shine through.
The vibration-free processing machines used by Astell&Kern are the same ones used by expensive Swiss luxury watch manufacturers. This is reflected in the crafting of the volume wheel which is processed precisely like the crown of a luxury watch for the best operating feel.
Astell&Kern products are designed to achieve perfect integration at whatever angle you look at it in your hands.
The Aluminum body on the SR25 provides maximum sound quality, while suppressing noise as much as possible. The use of laser ground extension technology gives you the best sound possible, without interference or distortion.
Astell&Kern combines these small parts to make a big difference in the quality of our products that no other manufacturer can match.
Latest System Optimization for a Better User Experience
The SR25 firmware is based on Android 9.0, which adds a number of behind the scene features and upgrades to provide more stable operation over previous versions of Android OS. The use of Android 9.0 ensures the most popular music streaming apps installed via Open APP will be fully compatible with your Astell&Kern player now and with future app updates.
Astell&Kern customizes Android to provide a fully optimized system and user interface, designed to give users a smooth, fluid musical playback experience.
Using Open APP Service
The Open APP Service enables the user to install specific APK music streaming apps to the device. Copy the desired APK into the Open Service folder of the product and install the relevant App in the Menu-Service of the product.
MQA Technology
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information. Astell&Kern SP1000M includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording.