Astell & Kern SE200 - High end portable music player

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A&futura is a premium line of players with advanced features that bring the original performance to life.

The SE200 is a world first in that it features two audiophile-calibre Sabre ESS9068AS DACs (in a dual DAC configuration), alongside a single AKM4499EQ (last seen in the flagship SP2000).

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Astell & Kern SE200

A&futura is a premium line of players with advanced features that bring the original performance to life.

The SE200 is a world first in that it features two audiophile-calibre Sabre ESS9068AS DACs (in a dual DAC configuration), alongside a single AKM4499EQ (last seen in the flagship SP2000).

This setup allows users to customise the SE200’s sound to suit their tastes as well as the genre of music being played. The multi-DAC functionality can be used separately or together, and there’s a selection of manufacturer-designed DAC filters which offers further options to fine-tune the sound.

Independent AMP circuits mean the ESS and AKM DACs operate without interfering with each other, and the same idea has been employed for the Balanced and Unbalanced audio signals, which have been separated to maintain optimum quality.

From a design perspective, the SE200 is another portable device from A&K that has a bold look. The trapezoid body is made out of noise-suppressing aluminium, with ceramic plates used on the top and rear surface, replacing the glass of the SE100. There’s added use for the ceramic plates other than just looking good: they can withstand more wear, and A&K also claims its inclusion also improves wireless network performance.

The volume wheel LED on the side uses colour coding, so the listener can check volume, bit-rate and the status of the DAC without turning to the screen.

Battery life has been much improved over the SE100, with up to 14 hours of continuous playback. Onboard storage has been ramped up, with 256GB carried inside the SE200’s innards. Up to 1TB of additional space is possible if you furnish the player with a microSD card. Hi-res audio streaming can be accessed via streaming services such as Qobuz and Tidal, while the SE200 offers Wi-Fi connectivity and aptX-HD Bluetooth.

A&futura, SE200

  • Multi DAC: AK4499EQ x1
    & ES9068AS x2
  • 32bit 384kHz
    bit to bit play
  • Native DSD
  • Octa-Core CPU
  • New Blue UI
  • LED Indicator
  • Ceramic Cover
    Top & Rear

The answer to the value of premium found in SE200

The SE200 is the second model from the Astell&Kern A&futura premium line of Digital Audio Players.

After the first model SE100, we were once again thinking about the nature of the word premium and asked ourselves,
"What is the value of premium in Hi-Fi and how can we express it with a product?"
We decided to "Let's make One device that nobody can duplicate"
We wanted to try something no one else has tried before, including Astell&Kern. The result is the SE200.

Equipped with the world's first Multi DAC (1x AK4499EQ + 2x ES9068AS)
Independent AMP structure designed to compliment each DAC's characteristics and DAC Filters to create your own sound
Audio performance to feel premium Hi-Fi sound presented by Astell&Kern
Upgrades that add a Premium value experience

We introduce the second product from Astell&Kern's premium A&futura line, is the SE200.
We hope that you will experience our answer to the value of premium found in SE200.

World's First Multi-DAC DAP

The A&futura SE200 is the world's first Multi DAC player.
Since the release of the Dual DAC AK120 player in 2013, we have not seen any products feature more than Dual DACs in the last seven years.
This prompted us to ask the question, "Why hasn't there been more than two DACs in a player?"
So, we set out to become the first manufacturer to use more than two DACs and the result is the SE200.

The SE200 features the latest audiophile DACs from ESS, the ES9068AS in a Dual DAC configuration. We then added a single AK4499EQ, AKM's flagship DAC that is used in our flagship SP2000. Combining the three DACs, we have produced the world's first multi-DAC DAP.

This pairing exhibits the philosophy of the A&futura line to pursue fundamentally different sound than found in typical DAPs.
To properly implement multiple DACs, we needed to spend twice the amount of time on development and double the amount of time in properly tuning the player.

Astell&Kern is not content to keeping things the same all the time. We are constantly working to improve on what we have already achieved to bring the most accurately reproduced and best sound to our products.

Independent AMP Sections Designed to Match DAC Characteristics

The SE200 was not designed with one AMP circuit, but multiple, different AMP designs to optimize the different characteristics
of the AKM and ESS DACs that are used in the player.

By separating the signals for each channel of Balanced and Unbalanced,
we designed independent circuits that do not interfere with each other to provide the best sound possible.

AK4499EQ
DAC
L+L-
R+R-
L+L-
R+R-
AKM-only AMPAKM-only AMP
L+L-
R+R-
LR
BalancedUnbalanced
ES9068AS
DAC
ES9068AS
DAC
L+L-
R+R-
Switch
L+L-
R+R-
GND
L+L-
R+R-
GND
ESS-only AMPESS-only AMP
L+L-
R+R-
LR
BalancedUnbalanced

Your own sound style

The SE200 goes beyond selecting the best DAC for type
of music you are listening to.

You can now further customize your sound by choosing from
a variety of DAC filters provided by the DAC manufacturer.

With the SE200, you can now choose your own preferred sound profile.

Sound Type

Impulse Response

Filter name

Reamarks

Edge

Natural Tone

Super Slow Roll-off

No echo reproduces natural sound

Ultra-Sharp

Acoustic Tone

Short Delay Slow Roll-off

Minimal echo reproduces original sound

Sharp

Traditional Tone

Slow Roll-off

Minimal echo reproduces original sound

Middle

Harmonic Sound

Low dispertion

Short echo reproduces original sound

Middle

Acoustic Sound

Short Delay Sharp Roll-off

Post echo enhances bass sound

Sharp

Traditional Sound

Sharp Roll-off

Pre and post echoes make powerful sound

Slow

Unique manufacturing technology that takes a step further

Astell&Kern products are often compared to art sculptures, with colorful faces and angles that are not found in other products.
This crafting is done using precise metal processing technology.

The SE200 maintains a similar design identity to the SE100 which combines trapezoidal straight lines and curves.
These curves are the result of ultra-precision metal processing that has been perfected by Astell&Kern.

After experimenting with different materials for the rear of the SE200, we created a new ceramic rear cover, instead of the glass found on the previous generation SE100. This material not only improves wireless network performance, but produces a more premium feel to the player.

New manufacturing techniques were developed to precisely mold the high-gloss ceramic cover involving seven separate processes. A low-speed processing method is used to prevent cracking and produce a durable backing. The results are a rear cover that is not just beautiful, but functional.

The Aluminum body on the S200 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.

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.
Astell&Kern combines these small parts to make a big difference in the quality of our products that no other manufacturer can match.

A premium player line evolved

Every time we create a new Astell&Kern product, we push ourselves to create an even better version than before.
The SE200 builds upon the specs that made the SE100 a popular premium product, while offering new features not found in previous players.

ModelSE200SE100
 
CPUOcta-Core
DACAKM AK4499EQ x1 (Single DAC)
ESS ES9068AS x2 (Dual DAC)
ESS ES9038PRO x1 (Single DAC)
Display5inch (720 x 1,280) Touchscreen
Decoding / Sample rateSupport up to 32bit 384kHz Bit to Bit Decoding / Native DSD256
Output LevelUnbalanced AKM 3.0Vrms / ESS 2.0Vrms
Balanced AKM 6.0Vrms / ESS 4.0Vrms
(Condition No Load)
Unbalanced 2.0Vrms
Balanced 4.1Vrms (Condition No Load)
Audio Output2.5mm x2 / 3.5mm x22.5mm x1 / 3.5mm x1
Memory256GB128GB
NetworkWi-Fi (2.4GHz) / Bluetooth (A2DP, AVRCP, aptXTM HD)
BatteryAKM: 10 hours of continuous play
ESS: 14 hours of continuous play
11 hours of continuous play
USB InterfaceType-C 3.0
Charging9V/1.67A Fast charging
MaterialAluminum
Dimensions
3.02 ”(76.9 mm) [W] x 5.20 ”(132.2 mm) [H] x 0.62 ”(15.8 mm) [D]
Weight
9.66 oz (274 g)

* Some specifications may vary depending on DAC settings and usage environment.

Playback information reflected in light

The SE200 features a volume wheel LED that displays a variety of music playback information including volume range,
bit-rate of track currently playing and the current DAC that is being used for playback of music.

* LED can be turned on or off according to user setting.

LED Lighting Off

16bit

24bit

32bit

DSD

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 SE200 includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams,
delivering the sound of the original master recording.

The MQA logo is a trade mark of MQA Limited. © MQA Limited 2020

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Astell & Kern SE200 - High end portable music player

Astell & Kern SE200 - High end portable music player

A&futura is a premium line of players with advanced features that bring the original performance to life.

The SE200 is a world first in that it features two audiophile-calibre Sabre ESS9068AS DACs (in a dual DAC configuration), alongside a single AKM4499EQ (last seen in the flagship SP2000).