Elegant and groundbreaking in its aesthetics and irreproachably built (in aluminum), the A & futura SE180 shines with its own light thanks to its architecture organized in two blocks: the main body on the one hand and, on the other, a separate interchangeable DAC module that offers the user the possibility of selecting different sound “personalities” by being able to choose between D / A conversion “chips” from different brands. It is a conceptually similar solution to that of the exceptional A & futura SE200 but with the significant addition of the location of the D / A conversion subsystem and amplification in a completely independent block from the rest, thus eliminating any possible influence on the audio signal. both from radio frequency noise and from the power supply system of the main block. Secondly, the configuration in separate modules allows to increase the connection comfort between the main body of the player and the DAC module, a comfort that is reinforced by an effective double fixing system that securely connects the two blocks while providing a smooth operation extreme 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 their particular search for absolute sound. a comfort that is reinforced by an effective double fixing 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 their particular search for absolute sound. a comfort that is reinforced by an effective double fixing 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 their particular search for absolute sound.

Technical characteristics:

Absolute reference “Hi-Res” portable audio player.

Modular structure consisting of main body and interchangeable DAC block.

Capable of reproducing PCM signals bit by bit up to 32 bits / 384 kHz.

Capable of reproducing DSD signals bit by bit up to DSD256 (11.2 MHz).

Astell & Kern exclusive TERATON ALPHA chip.

Printed circuit board with optimized signal paths.

DAC module (SEM1) equipped with an ESS ES9038PRO “chip”.

SEM2 DAC module optionally available.

Supports MQA audio encoding.

“Hi-Res” wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0 and BT Sink function.

Balanced (2) and unbalanced (1) headphone outputs.

256 GB internal memory (additional 1 TB via microSD card).

Main block made entirely of aluminum.

5-inch (127 mm) “Full HD” touch screen.

20-70,000 Hz frequency response, +/- 0.06 dB (balanced mode).

-147 dB crosstalk at 1 kHz (balanced mode).

Signal-to-noise ratio of 129 dB at 1 kHz (balanced mode).

Battery with 10'5 hours of autonomy (FLAC at 16 bits / 44'1 kHz).

Dimensions (with DAC module): 77x137'2x19'9 mm (W x H x D).

Weight: 280 g.