Astell & Kern Futura SE180 + Astell & Kern SEM 4

Astell&Kern SEM 4

314 €

1.570 € 2.248 € -678 €

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Astell&Kern Futura SE180
Astell&Kern SEM 4

Portable player

Elegant, aesthetically striking and irreproachably built (in aluminium), the A&futura SE180 shines with its own light thanks to its architecture organised
in two blocks: the main body on one side and, on the other, a separate interchangeable DAC module that offers the user the possibility of selecting different sonic "personalities" by choosing between D/A conversion "chips" of different brands. This solution is conceptually similar to that of the unique A&futura SE200, but with the significant addition of placing the D/A conversion and amplification subsystem in a block completely independent from the rest, thus eliminating any possible influence on the audio signal from both RF noise and noise coming from the main block's power supply system.

On the other hand, the configuration in separate modules increases the convenience of connection between the main body of the player and the DAC module, a convenience that is reinforced by an effective double clamping system that securely connects the two blocks while providing extreme smoothness of operation thanks to the total sensation of physical discontinuity between them. By applying different DAC/AMP (the exclusive amplification topology developed by Astell&Kern), tuning and output configurations
for each module, the user can choose the most suitable module to satisfy his particular search for absolute sound.

The SEM4 is an optional DAC module specifically designed for Astell&Kern's A&futura SE180 Hi-Res portable audio player.
Equipped with two AK4497EQ D/A conversion chips from Japan's AKM, it supports PCM files up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (22.4 MHz), the ultimate in Hi-Res audio, while its circuit architecture allows the owner of the A&futura SE180 to experience a different sound personality than that provided by the standard built-in DAC module (SEM1). The optional SEM4 module features highly imaginative engineering innovations from Astell&Kern that help define its exceptional performance. These include the TERATON ALPHA chip, which is specifically designed to maximise sound quality through the combined use of a highly effective noise suppression scheme, efficient power management and minimal distortion amplifier circuitry.

Meanwhile, the latest generation of Astell&Kern's AMP amplification scheme ensures outstanding musicality thanks to the careful selection of the operational amplifiers employed and the complete redesign of both the circuitry and the organisation of the boards that house them in order to minimise crosstalk.

Features:

Hi-Res portable audio player of absolute reference.
Modular structure consisting of main body and interchangeable DAC block.
Capable of bit-by-bit reproduction of PCM signals up to 32-bit/384 kHz (up to 768 kHz with optional Sem4 DAC module)
"TERATON ALPHA chip exclusive to Astell&Kern.
Printed circuit board with optimised signal paths.
Compatible with MQA audio coding.
Hi-Res" wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0 and BT Sink function.
Balanced (2) and unbalanced (1) headphone outputs.
256 GB internal memory (1 TB additional memory via microSD card).
All-aluminium main body.
5-inch (127 mm) "Full HD" touch screen.
Frequency response of 20-70,000 Hz, +/-0.06 dB (balanced mode).
Crosstalk of -147 dB at 1 kHz (balanced mode).
129 dB signal-to-noise ratio at 1 kHz (balanced mode).
10.5 hours battery life (16-bit FLAC/44.1 kHz).
Dimensions (with DAC module): 77x137'2x19'9 mm (W x H x D).
Weight: 280 g.

Model clearance offer for last new unsealed units. Check availability.

DAC module

With its launch, Astell&Kern has expanded the potential of the SE180 once again.
Born from the key concept of "Shape your sound", the SEM4 is equipped with the AK4493SEQ dual DAC, the latest DAC from Asahi Kasei, which minimises loss and noise interference from the original sound while offering 14 hours of playback performance, the longest among SEM modules.
The SEM4 supports up to 32bit/768kHz, native DSD512 and you can enjoy even more vivid and original sound with the introduction of Digital Audio Remastering (DAR) technology - the first time this technology has been applied in an Astell&Kern portable player.

DAR technology has been developed to increase the sampling frequency of the sound source being played back to go beyond the limits of the source format.
The high sampling frequency allows for more refined playback and delivers a delicate, analogue original sound, allowing you to enjoy the richness of the original sound, the subtle differences in nuance of the music and the richness of the sounds at a higher level.

Supported DAR options:
- Maximum conversion rate.
- 44.1kHz PCM range will be converted to 352.8kHz for playback.
- 48kHz PCM range will be converted to 384kHz for playback.
- No conversion will be performed when DSD is played back with this option selected.
- DSD PCM files below 96kHz will be converted to DSD128 for playback.
- PCM files above 96kHz will be converted to DSD256 for playback.
- DSD files below DSD256 will be converted to DSD256 for playback with this option selected.
- Advanced next generation AMP technology.

Next generation AMP technology is also applied in the SEM4 all-in-one module. From the selection of the OP-AMP parts, to the circuit design, board layout and tuning, everything has been completely redesigned to produce the best sound.

Separation structure of the system unit and module circuitry.
The complete physical separation of the system unit and DAC module perfectly avoids power supply noise and RF noise from the system unit, which means that no noise will interrupt your music.

In addition, the separation of the signals into balanced and unbalanced channels without interference offers the best sound.

TERATON ALPHA is A&K's ultimate sound solution for producing audio reproduction close to the original sound through the audio output interface by using effective power noise elimination, efficient power management and amplification with minimal distortion.

TERATON ALPHA features Astell&Kern's proprietary technologies, which are the result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to produce a sound close to the original sound that the artist and producer intended.

Features: