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Astell & Kern SE100
The radically different sound, A&futura SE100
A&futura is a premium line of players with advanced features that bring the original performance to life. The SE100, the first model of A&futura, is designed for you to feel the quality of premium Hi-Fi from the moment you hold it.
A&futura SE100 is the first step in your premium audio journey.
- Radically different sound by ES9038 Pro 8-channel DAC
- Next Level performance with Octa-core CPU
- 5-inch display with HD screen resolution and improved user interface
- Similar audio block design of SP1000 for premium Hi-Fi audio performance
Premium value that you can feel in your hands
A&futura SE100 shows our dedication to provide both premium quality and value to our listeners including an eye-catching design. It features a 5-inch touchscreen, Octa-core CPU, and the best audio performance in its league. Astell&Kern is committed to delivering the original performance as the artist intended you to hear and the SE100 is a symbolic example of this vision and effort.
A&futura SE100 introduces an 8-channel DAC chip. 8-channel DACs have previously only been available for premium home audio systems, pro-audio workstations, and recording studio equipment. It is making a debut for the first time in an Astell&Kern portable system.
Your favorite tunes will now sound fundamentality different with even greater dynamic range and refined sound. There are many audio companies that talk about 'technologies', yet Astell&Kern is the only brand that talks about 'progress' in the audio experience.
* The ESS SABRE PRO series of Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) is targeted at premium audiophile and recording studio equipment. The SABRE PRO series sets a new benchmark in high-end audio by offering the industry's highest dynamic range (DNR) with impressively low levels of total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) in a 32-bit, 8-channel DAC. All PRO SABRE DACs feature ESS's patented 32-bit HyperStream DAC technology which delivers outstanding sound quality and industry leading performance.
Femto-Second Clock for Exact Sonic Reproduction
An enhanced voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) high-precision clock has been utilized in the A&futura SE100. The reference jitter of Astell&Kern's implementation has improved performance to 800fs (femto seconds), meaning that the SE100 faithfully reproduces your music by precisely measuring and accurately timing the synchronization of all instruments, vocal and even ambience sound recorded in your digital music file together.
* Femeto Second : 1fs=1/1015(1,000 trillion) sec.
* Pico Second : 1ps=1/1012(1 trillion) sec.
* Nano Second : 1ns=1/109(1 Billion) sec.
Great Performance for the Ultimate Experience
The A&futura SE100 is equipped with an octa-core CPU which allows the player to produce the exact musical detail present in the original recording without distortion and provides a quick, lag-free operation. The A&futura SE100 features faster booting times, speedy file transfers, lag-free processing and a new intuitive user interface for the ultimate player experience.
Ultimate Sound Quality
The A&futura SE100 supports native bit-to-bit DSD playback up to 11.2MHz for the best sound possible.
The music is played back, bit-for-bit, just as the artist and engineer intended for it to be heard.
Next generation USB Type-C support allows file transfer speeds up to 10Gbps and supports both data transfer and charging from the same cable. USB 3.0 protocol transfers data twice as fast when compared to other Astell&Kern players. Charging with a fast charger (at 9V/1.67A) takes only two hours and allows up to 11 hours of continuous playback.
- * The maximum 11-hour continuous play is based on 16-bit/44 kHz, FLAC file format, screen off, 75 of volume playback.
- * Fast charger (9V/1.67A) and general Charger (5V/2A) are not included in the package.
DESIGN
The design of A&futura SE100 resembles "unrestricted balance" from a composition of a trapezoid and curves together.
The volume knob at the end of the side curve is easy to operate from front and back and its shape fits just right in either hand.
The glass back plate has a unique arrangement of "A" logos in a diamond pattern that visualizes the amplification of Astell&Kern before your eyes. As you rotate the device under light, hidden beauty shines as you change the angle and reveal its beauty.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
89/100
Value for Money
88/100
The spacious, highly resolving SE100 pairs Astell & Kern’s ES9038Pro DAC with a polished, premium build, delivering clear vocals, textured detail and confident control across genres. What Hi-Fi? praises its openness, while The Absolute Sound and hi-fi+ highlight its strong power and flagship-like performance.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Open, expansive presentation with strong detail retrieval and precise imaging.
Powerful, convincing sound with strong DAC performance and control.
Flexible playback and connectivity, including extensive file support, streaming apps, balanced output, and EQ tuning.
Premium ergonomics and fit-and-finish make it feel like a luxury portable player.
&
Cons
Sharp edges and corners can make the chassis uncomfortable to hold.
Battery life can fall short of the claimed figure during real-world hi-res and streaming use.
Its high asking price puts it beyond many portable music fans.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers consistently praise the SE100 as a highly accomplished-sounding portable player. They describe it as clean, spacious, and highly resolving, with strong control, clear vocals, and impressive separation across genres and file types.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The SE100 is repeatedly described as musical, refined, and controlled rather than edgy or clinical. One reviewer notes the normal EQ setting brings a tighter, more controlled low end, while another calls the sound a 'no-brainer' for listeners with the budget.
Resolution Detail
94/100
Detail retrieval is a major strength in the reviews. What Hi-Fi highlights clear layering, textured cymbals and piano, individually countable backing vocals, and a presentation that expands the soundstage to reveal more information.
Digital Performance
91/100
The digital side is consistently treated as a strength, with reviewers pointing to the ES9038Pro DAC, jitter-reducing clocking, and clean output. Reviewers also note strong measured performance, high signal-to-noise figures, and playback that remains convincing even over Wi-Fi.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
The SE100 offers a strong mix of onboard and network playback options, plus flexible local storage and useful app support. Reviewers like the touch interface and the ability to expand features with streaming services and firmware updates, though the software discussion is more about breadth and practicality than standout polish.
Streaming Software
88/100
Reviewers say the interface is bright, crisp, and easy to live with, and note support for services such as Tidal, Deezer, Groovers+, and downloadable apps like Amazon Music, Spotify, Qobuz, Pandora, and TuneIn. The software appears capable and broad in scope, though the reviews do not present it as class-leading in speed or refinement.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Connectivity is a clear strength: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with aptX support, USB 3.0, balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs, native DSD playback, 128GB internal storage, microSD expansion, and OTA firmware updates all add real flexibility. Reviewers also like the ability to save EQ settings and tailor the sound.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The SE100 is widely described as premium and beautifully made, with an aluminium body, glass backplate, and an ergonomic shape that feels substantial in hand. The main caveat is that its straight edges and sharp corners can be uncomfortable when they dig into the hand, so the physical design is admired more than it is universally loved.
Value for Money
88/100
Reviewers acknowledge that the SE100 is expensive, but several argue that its performance and flexibility make the asking price defensible in the high-end portable market. The strongest praise frames it as a luxury buy that still makes sense for committed listeners, rather than a bargain or obvious steal.
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