Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Astell&Kern gives its new entry-level digital audio player some premium features

Starting in the $700-range, Astell&Kern’s (A&K) most affordable portable digital audio players have never been easy on the wallet, but they have always been packed with top-quality components and features. With its latest entry-level model, the $799 A&norma SR35, that tradition continues with impressive upgrades, some of which have been lifted directly from the company’s ultra-premium models. You’ll be able to buy it at A&K dealers in May.

Astell&Kern SR35 digital audio player with earbuds.
Astell&Kern

On the outside, not much has changed from the $749 SR25 II (which is still available while supplies last). A&K has kept the same chunky case, oversized volume knob, distinctive bevel edges, and quirky angled display. The player retains its internal 64GB of storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD cards) as well as the ability to act as both a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter with LDAC and aptX HD codec support. And you can still use the AK File Drop function to load the player with your favorite songs wirelessly — no USB cable required. That wireless connectivity has been improved, however, with support for both 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands.

Astell&Kern SR35 digital audio player with earbuds.
Astell&Kern

On the audio processing side, the SR35 has twice as many digital-to-analog converters (DACs) as its predecessor for a total of four Cirrus Logic 43198 MasterClass DACs. Cleverly, the software settings let you choose whether to run just two or all four DACs. Running two (one per channel) can save on battery life, while A&K says that using four (two per channel) stereo separation will be improved and the soundstage will feel wider.

The signal generated from these DACs will now be treated to a premium level of amplification with a new audio circuit design. It’s the same amplifier design as A&K’s flagship A&ultima and A&futura products, and it gives the SR35 what A&K claims is an industry-leading signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 130dB. The SR 25 II, by comparison, maxed out at an SNR of 124dB.

Astell&Kern SR35 digital audio player front and back views with earbuds.
Astell&Kern

The player also offers greater control over how that power gets delivered via the three built-in analog outputs (3.5mm unbalanced; 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced) thanks to a two-step gain level adjustment. If you’re using tough-to-drive high-impedance headphones or in-ear monitors (IEMs), you can switch from normal gain to high gain and take advantage of up to 6 volts RMS via the balanced connections. That puts the SR35 within striking distance of the best portable headphone amp/DACs.

The experience of using the player also gets an update with the fourth version of A&K’s user interface. According to the company, the black-and-red “Crimson Theme” visuals reduce eye fatigue, maximize battery usage, and reduce heat generation. The experience (like so many music services right now) is centered around rediscovering songs that you have forgotten; you can quickly browse through music categories with simple gestures. A search feature along with album art has been added to show CD album covers of your music collection.

The SR35 also becomes the first A&K entry-level player to be Roon certified for use with that popular, audiophile-oriented media software.

As with the SR25 II, the SR35 has comprehensive support for all types of hi-res, lossless audio formats including native playback of DSD256 and 32-bit/384KHz PCM high-resolution audio. It’s a full MQA decoder (whether you’re storing MQA files locally or streaming them from Tidal HiFi) and it can manage all of the usual suspects like WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, and DSF.

In addition to Tidal, the player comes preloaded with apps for Qobuz, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify for a strong choice of streaming music services. As long as you can find a compatible .apk file for Android, additional services can be added by sideloading their apps to the player.

Editors' Recommendations

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
Astell & Kern’s new SP1000 hi-res audio player upgrades everything but the kitchen sink
astellkern aultima sp1000 header

As the beautiful city of Munich, Germany prepares to host 2017's High End audio show, Astell & Kern has unveiled its all-new line of hi-res portable audio players, the A&ultima line. And while the name may look strange on the page, the debut player, the SP1000, is kicking off the new series in style.

Like all of Astell & Kern's hi-res players, the SP1000 touts impressive specs to go along with its stylish new design. The player has been outfitted with dual AK4497EQ DAC (digital-to-analog converter) chips, with an individual chip dedicated to the left and right channels for better stereo separation, a redesigned user interface aims to put music playback front and center, and an Octa-Core CPU. AK claims the powerful new CPU not only allows for swift boot-up speeds, but also near lag-free playback for massive hi-res tracks at up to 32bit/384kHz (if you can ever find anything at that resolution, that is). The player also offers native playback of DSD files up to 11.2MHz.

Read more
Music to our ears: Astell & Kern’s high-res audio players to get Tidal integration
Astell & Kern AK70

Astell & Kern’s high-resolution portable audio players offer top-notch fidelity, but if you don’t own a lot of music in a high-resolution format, you may be hard-pressed to find music to play on them. For some time, Astell & Kern has promised that Tidal support was on the way to its players. Now, that promise has finally been fulfilled, with Tidal support beginning to roll out to players via an over the air (OTA) firmware update.

“With the Tidal integration, we are providing users with the best hi-fi streaming service available today. We are very excited to offer this service to our loyal customers. Astell & Kern feels the addition of Tidal will help reach new audiences who want to receive their music selection delivered this way,” Henry Park, CEO of Astell & Kern parent company Iriver said in a statement. “Astell&Kern is always looking for new ways to provide music lovers with the best way to enjoy music at home and on the go. Our line of high-resolution audio players is considered to be the best money can buy, so we always want to be a part of the latest and greatest options currently available for music”

Read more
Hands on: Astell & Kern AK70
Astell & Kern's AK70 is a $600 chunk of hi-fi bliss that finally fits in a pocket
Astell & Kern AK70

At more than 215 grams in weight, the striking, angular Astell & Kern AK380 and AK320 music players aren’t really made for your pocket. So what to do when you want that sound quality and epic build, without the strain on your pants? How about the AK70, the latest music player from the cult audio brand that sheds the size and weight, but keeps the sound and funky design.

Launched in late June, the AK70 costs $600 yet packs in much of the same technology as the $900 AK100II, all inside a considerably smaller and more compact body. While not as sliver thin, it recalls the wonderful compactness and usability of the 5th generation Apple iPod Nano — everything you could want wrapped in a super cool, hand-friendly shape. Despite the squared-off edges and shoulders, the AK70 feels great in the hand. The metal body is cool and smooth to the touch, while the glass back panel adds class.

Read more