PRESENTING THE ASTELL&KERN SE300, A PRIME EXAMPLE OF TRUE ANALOGUE SOUND

A&futura is a product line from Astell&Kern that exemplifies the company's never-ending pursuit of innovation. The SE300, the fourth model in the A&futura line, is a high-end Digital Audio Player that builds on this identity and broadens the sound's range with a completely new applied technology. The A&futura SE300 features an incredibly refined R-2R DAC, Class A/AB dual amps created with Astell&Kern's exclusive TERATON ALPHA technology, and for the first time, a self-created FPGA optimised technology. It offers the true sound philosophy and technology of Astell&Kern with these unmatched components. As for the headphone outputs it has 3.5mm, 2.5mm & 4.4mm outputs covering a range of use cases. Experience the first "true" analogue sound produced by an Astell&Kern player, the SE300, using Class-A/AB AMP and R-2R DAC technologies.

FEATURES A FULLY DISCRETE 24-BIT R-2R DAC FOR RICH SOUND

Instead of the Delta-Sigma DAC that is most frequently found in other audio players, the SE300 has an R-2R DAC. R-2R DAC, also known as Ladder DAC because resistors are arranged in a ladder form, provides natural yet dynamic Hi-Fi sounds, but it is very technical and challenging to implement because it calls for intricately crafted resistor units and is challenging to manage current controls. The 96 ultra-precision resistors were carefully chosen by a team of engineers as they finalised the R-2R DAC technology in SE300. You can now achieve analogue sound from a digital source thanks to Astell&Kern's SE300, the result of their exhaustive search for the ideal audio solution. With Astell&Kern's unmatched audio technology, the SE300 supports DSD256 and up to 32bit/384kHz, enabling you to enjoy your favourite music wherever you are.

ULTRA-PRECISION RESISTOR DESIGN FOR TRUE HI-FI SOUND

True Hi-Fi 24-bit decoding is made possible by the R-2R DAC embedded inside the SE300, which arranges 48 pairs (23xR and 25x2R) of 96 ultra-precision resistors to produce analogue signals. To present the Hi-Fi sound with an R-2R DAC, it is essential to add the precise current value with resistors with the tiniest error ranges. To achieve this, Astell&Kern examined each individually chosen ultra-precision resistor with an error range of 0.01% to finish designing the SE300. To create Hi-Fi sound without distortions within such an extreme precision design, a team of engineers at Astell&Kern analysed and preconceived any potential impacts that may be caused by changes in temperature. The SE300 comes with TCR10 specifications to minimise the changes in the 0.01% resistor error range.

EXCEPTIONAL AMPLIFICATION WITH CLASS A/AB DUAL AMP MODE

The Dual AMP mode is included with the SE300. You can choose between the two amplifiers based on your listening preferences and the type of music you prefer because Class A amplification produces low distortion and natural sounds, and Class AB amplification plays dynamic sounds with high efficiency. This design improves output and eliminates noise while consuming less power. The best linear audio output is provided by a Class A AMP, an analogue amplifier that produces smooth, warm, and natural tones by amplifying signals without distortion or signal loss. Through the natural and potent Class A AMP, the refined analogue signal created by the R-2R DAC reproduces a sound that is most similar to the original analogue audio. An analogue amp known as a class AB amp provides a potent output in addition to having high efficiency. Less harmonic distortion is presented with dynamic and crisp sounds.

2-STEP GAIN SETTINGS FOR SUITABLE OUTPUT AND WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE

The SE300 can perfectly match a wide range of headphones and IEMs, while still producing high-quality audio with its 2-step Gain Level mode. The two-step gain setting with the "Normal" and "High Gain" modes can produce a high current output with a powerful sound and excellent driver control. It has never been simpler to drive high-impedance headphones with up to 6 Vrms from the balanced connections.

OPTIMISED FPGA OS/NOS MODES FOR DIFFERENT SOUND PREFERENCES

The SE300 features an FPGA that Astell&Kern exclusively developed and offers OS/NOS modes that are optimised. Instead of using standard off-the-shelf commercial semiconductor chipsets, the SE300 relays digital signals to the R-2R DAC through its algorithm using an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that a team of engineers at Astell&Kern self-developed for optimised design. The SE300-specific FPGA from Astell&Kern supports the ideal OS (Over Sampling) / NOS (Non-Over Sampling). Enjoy the carefully crafted sound styles that NOS and OS modes faithfully reproduce for the SE300's hardware and programs.

ESSENCE OF A&K AUDIO TECHNOLOGIES - THE TERATON ALPHA

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 are completed with the sound solution of TERATON ALPHA, creating the purest form of sound and music.

EXPERIENCE MUSIC WIRELESSLY THROUGH BLUETOOTH 5.0 AND MQA SUPPORT

The Astell&Kern SE300 is compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and the newest codecs, including Qualcomm® aptX™ HD and LDAC. The battery life of your SE300 will last longer when using Bluetooth than it would when using earlier versions, thanks to Bluetooth 5.0's improved power efficiency. For a portable device like the SE300, on which users might rely for extended periods, this is especially crucial. You are less likely to experience dropouts or interruptions in your music playback thanks to Bluetooth 5.0's improved connectivity and reliability, which offers a seamless listening experience. Astell&Kern SE300 includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording.

STAGGERING BATTERY LIFE OF UP TO 12 HOURS FOR UNINTERRUPTED PLAYBACK

When playing high-resolution music files (FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.50, LCD Off, Normal Gain), the Astell&Kern SE300's battery life can last up to 12 hours. However, this may differ based on elements like volume level and screen brightness. It's also crucial that other features, like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which can consume more power, may have an impact on the SE300's battery life. The SE300 can be fully charged in about 3.5 hours. However, the SE300 is a great portable music player if you need something that can keep up with your active lifestyle without requiring frequent recharging due to its long battery life and small size.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES THAT TRULY TRANSFORM YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE

ReplayGain Automatically and Uniformly Adjusts Playback Volume. ReplayGain adjusts sound sources with different volumes to an identical level. Now, enjoy your playlists seamlessly through the ReplayGain feature on SE300. The new AK File Drop function in the SE300 makes file transfers more convenient. Using AK File Drop, you can transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network. Music file management is now possible with a cableless, wireless solution. The BT Sink function connects the SE300 to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone with a BT speaker. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high quality on the SE300 using the BT Sink function. Behind the exquisite A&futura SE300 volume wheel is an LED light reminiscent of rising waves. With the LED light that radiates from the inside of the SE300, you can check the Bit Depth information of the currently playing music or the current AMP mode.

REDESIGNED CRIMSON-THEMED UI/UX AND 5.46-INCH SCREEN FOR A TRULY RICH EXPERIENCE

The SE300 comes with a redesigned Crimson-themed UI/UX transforming into a "true" music player with which you can deeply connect with your music-listening experience. The new UI/UX is designed so that you can quickly browse music categories and re-discover songs within your music library. Astell&Kern also added an easy album art search function to re-discover the joy of viewing and interacting with music album art whilst listening to your music. The crimson theme focuses on edge, simplicity, and dark mode keywords. The colour theme of black with red highlights lowers visual fatigue offering intuitive user experiences. Immerse yourself in music with the new UI/UX and experience the SE300 more vividly and comfortably with a wide 5.46-inch, large-screen Full HD display.

THEMED STREAM DESIGN USING STAINLESS STEEL AND GLASS ENHANCES VISUAL AESTHETICS

Astell&Kern added intensity by using contrasting materials such as stainless steel and glass, enhancing 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 polished side and triangular-patterned volume wheel create powerful and visually striking contrasts. The straight pattern on the rear of the volume wheel elevates the visual density and allows you 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'.