Astell&Kern / A&futura SE300

The A&futura SE300 is based on the slogan "The Future of Analog Sound" and incorporates three Astell&Kern first technologies into the core of the audio player. In order to reproduce analog sound at a higher level, this is the brand's most innovative model to date, aiming to fuse the DAC and amplifier sections at the design stage.

■[The Future of Analog Sound] An innovative model equipped with three premium features
・The A&futura series is a line that symbolizes Astell&Kern's constant efforts for innovation. The A&futura SE300 is an ambitious and most innovative model in the brand's history, with three Astell&Kern first technologies packed into the core of the audio player under the slogan "The Future of Analog Sound," aiming to fuse the DAC section and amplifier section for the first time in the design stage in order to reproduce analog sound at a higher level.The brand's first ultra-precise full-discrete R-2R DAC that does not use commercially available DAC chips, the first proprietary FPGA that does not use commercially available general semiconductor chipsets to control and optimize it, and the first Class-A and AB dual amplifier created by TERATON ALPHA technology and new generation amplifier technology. The A&futura SE300 is a premium audio player in which Astell&Kern pursues the ultimate sound solution with uncompromising craftsmanship to achieve analog sound from digital sources. It provides analog sound with Astell&Kern's true identity for sound and technology.

■ Fully discrete 24-bit R-2R DAC
・The A&futura SE300 was the first to aim for a fusion of the DAC and amplifier sections during the design stage in order to reproduce analog sound at a higher level. Instead of using the most common commercially available Delta-Sigma DAC, we equipped it with a uniquely assembled R-2R DAC to express Astell&Kern's true sound identity. The R-2R DAC is also called a ladder DAC because the resistors are arranged in a ladder shape, and you can enjoy natural and dynamic Hi-Fi sound, but it is technically very difficult, such as refining complex resistors and the difficulty of current control. However, after several years of development and trial and error, we were able to overcome this challenge and create a new analog sound unique to Astell&Kern.

■Supports OS/NOS mode with proprietary FPGA for signal processing optimization
・The A&futura SE300 is equipped with the first proprietary FPGA, providing optimized OS/NOS mode. Instead of using a commercially available general semiconductor chipset, we use a proprietary FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) developed for optimization design, and relay the digital signal to the R-2R DAC using its algorithm. The FPGA developed for the SE300 supports the most ideal OS (oversampling)/NOS (non-oversampling) mode. Enjoy the sound style reproduced by the OS/NOS mode, which has been carefully designed to match the hardware and program of the SE300.

■Class-A/AB Dual Amplifier Equipped
・The A&futura SE300 is the first to feature a Class-A/AB Dual amplifier that allows you to switch between a Class A amplifier that produces a natural sound with little distortion and a Class AB amplifier that reproduces dynamic sound with high power efficiency. You can use it according to your preferences and the genre of music you play. Experience the true sound identity of Astell&Kern with the SE300, which is equipped with a proprietary R-2R DAC and Class-A/AB Dual amplifier, which achieves improved output and thorough noise removal while reducing power consumption.

Class-A Amplification Mode
Class-A amplifier is an analog amplifier that achieves the highest linear output, amplifying the signal without distortion or signal loss, providing a soft, warm and natural sound. The refined analog signal generated directly by the R-2R DAC is passed through the organic and powerful Class-A amplifier to reproduce the sound closest to the original analog audio.

Class-AB Amplification Mode Class-AB amplifiers are analog amplifiers that provide high efficiency and powerful output. They reproduce dynamic, clear sound with less harmonic distortion.

■Supports two-stage gain control with new generation amplifier technology
- Equipped with new generation amplifier technology adopted in the flagship line that effectively improves noise reduction at high output. Improved current processing capacity supports two-stage gain control of normal gain and high gain, achieving even higher output. By achieving a high output of 6Vrms during balanced output in high gain mode, it is possible to drive various IEMs and headphones with ease. And thorough power efficiency has made it possible to play continuously for about 12 hours.

■Model name: A&futura SE300
■Color: Platinum Silver (SE300) / Titan (SE300 Titan)
■Body material: Aluminum & Stainless Steel (SE300) / Grade 5 Titanium (SE300 Titan)
■Display: 5.46-inch HD (1080x1920) touch screen
■Supported file formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
■Supported sampling rates
・PCM maximum: 384KHz (16/24/32bit)
・DSD maximum: DSD256 (11.2MHz/1bit) Stereo
■Output level
・[Normal gain] Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms (no load)
・[High gain] Unbalanced 3Vrms / Balanced 6Vrms (no load),
■CPU: Quad-core
■DAC: Fully discrete R-2R
■Input: USB Type-C (charging & data transfer)
■Output: 3.5mm 3-pole unbalanced output (also used for optical digital output), 2.5mm 4-pole balanced output / 4.4mm 5-pole balanced output (with GND connection)
■Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz)
■Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP / Qualcomm? aptX? HD, LDAC)
■Size (W×H×D): 76.45mm × 139.45mm × 17.6mm
■Weight: Approx. 317g (SE300) / Approx. 325g (SE300 Titan)
■Firmware update: OTA
■Operating temperature: 0℃ ~ +40℃
■Frequency response
・±0.038dB (20Hz~20kHz) unbalanced
・±0.038dB (20Hz~20kHz) balanced
・±0.45dB (20Hz~70kHz) unbalanced
・±0.45dB (20Hz~70kHz) balanced
■S/N ratio: 115dB @ 1kHz, unbalanced / 115dB @ 1kHz, balanced
■Crosstalk: -135dB @ 1kHz, unbalanced / -144dB @ 1kHz, balanced
■THD+N: 0.006% @ 1kHz, unbalanced / 0.006% @ 1kHz, balanced
■IMD: 0.005% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) unbalanced / 0.005% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) balanced
■Output impedance: Unbalanced 3.5mm (1.3Ω) / Balanced 2.5mm (1.3Ω), 4.4mm (1.3Ω)
■Clock jitter: 25ps (Typ)
■Reference clock jitter: 500 fs
■Battery: 5,050mAh 3.8V lithium polymer
■Charging time: Approximately 3.5 hours (fast charging)
■Playback time: Approximately 12 hours (FLAC, 44.1KHz/16bit, Vol.50, LCD Off, Unbalanced, Normal Gain)
■Built-in memory: 56GB [NAND] *Including system area
■External memory support: 1 microSD slot (up to 2TB)
■Supported OS: Windows 10 (32/64bit) 11 (64bit) / MAC OS X 10.7
■Accessories: USB Type-C cable, screen protector, microSD card slot cover, SE300 Case (khaki color) (SE300 Titan only)
■Country of origin: Korea
■Manufacturer's warranty: 1 year for main unit / 90 days for accessories