Review on 🎵 High Resolution Audio Player - Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 in Moon Silver by Jhalak Tamrakar ᠌

Name: 🎵 High Resolution Audio Player - Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 in Moon Silver
Item: 🎵 High Resolution Audio Player - Astell&Kern A&Norma SR25 in Moon Silver
Rating: 5

October 30, 2022

The best price for such a product, I will buy more!

Having changed the fio line of the first generation and two Cayin N5ii (one with the IIs index) and tired of multiple software and hardware glitches (the 2.5 / 3.5mm output periodically falls off, the audio priority mode turns on by itself, etc.), I decided see something new and beautiful.
The choice fell on this subject.
In total, I listened to him and suitable reinforcing headphones for about 4 hours.
The comparison was with Fio M11 and M11pro, A&K Kann (first version)
The sound most went to M11pro and Norma. Of course, the Fairy is more omnivorous, the amplification is more serious, the set of connectors, the speed of the interface with a comparable sound (except that the stage is even wider and the treble is more interesting), but this is already a brick in size and it seemed like an android phone when I wandered through the menus, trying to find my music library on the card .
I didn’t consider all sorts of Hibi and Shanlingi . © because because

Then once again I picked up Norma: again a simple and understandable interface, turned on the DSD, smiled, listened again and all questions disappeared. This is my first Astel, let's see how it will work)
The device is amazing, I recommend it!
 Played great with the FH5 fairy (I also listened to Dunu-2022,3001, ATH-E50 / E70, Fiio FA5 and FH7, it's generally cool, but fell out of the budget)
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Pros

1. Sound (subjectively) - chic sound: a clear separation of bass, midrange and treble, the total amount of detail in the compositions (DSD64 / 128) was impressive, the bass is collected and it is absolutely enough, the middle seemed very emotional and slightly prominent, the treble is quite transparent, detailed and not sawy Hong Kong - the scene pleased in width and depth (in comparison with Fiio M11, Cayin N5IIS and even the first A&K Kann) 2. Modern filling - it's clear here: support for all wireless bluetooth codecs (including AptX-HD and LDAC), MQA support (Tidal and Deezer are already preinstalled), natively understands up to DSD256 and PCM 384kHz, Wi-Fi, integration into a home audio system, etc. 3. Autonomy - has not yet discharged the device, I will add real data later. Declared 21 hours of work at a volume of 70 (out of 150) and playing *flac. If there are 15 hours, then just super. 4. Compactness - it is really compact, even with a branded case it can easily fit in a shirt or jeans pocket - for me it’s light for a metal product in comparison with the same Cayin N5iiS made of stainless steel, I would like to make the subject slightly heavier)) 5. Interface (see also disadvantages) - I like consistency and simplicity, there is no congestion as in M11 6. Workmanship and design (subjective) - on the first one: "OK" ("all-metal shell", noble crackle of the volume wheel, button travel, glass back cover with 3D pattern), it's nice to hold in your hand, in general, it's gut, but see the shortcomings - on the second: such a chopped design will come to someone when the display is at an angle, although this does not interfere with use, in general, for me © this is the norm :) At least without a cover it will attract people's attention :) 7. Display quality - fairly crisp (HD resolution) - 3.6'' diagonal is enough to distinguish interface elements, but someone will want to increase the fonts) - if you type text when searching for tracks, then the display is of course small for these purposes -quite bright and it is a stretch enough for the street, it is clear that this is not a top smartphone with a brightness of over 1000 nits

Cons

1. Ergonomics - the pause and switch buttons are so small that they barely differ in the blind, and if you put on a cover . well, in general, you can say they are not) you have to aim with your eyes 2. Housing - if you use it without a case (dada, the device is over 60K, yeah), then you can very clearly feel the sharpness of the edges of the case, it really "cuts" your hand 3. Interface - only one "but", if you go to Tidal and start the song, and then accidentally press the barely noticeable touch button under the display, you will fly out to the standard player. after which you will have to go back to the menu (swipe from left to right - services - Tidal), in general, about nothing, but decided to find fault 4. Format/Usability Limitations - does not read some APE / CUE formats, more precisely opens the entire image, while competitors have no problems with this; it doesn’t really bother you, there is a lot of free software that cuts images into tracks in one click, but if your entire music library is like that, then this should be taken into account - no playback through folders (what? huh?), I even had such a function on fiio X1-I - each inclusion is scanned memory . what for? would have done a manual setup: uploaded songs, ated the music library, that's all. and so, turn on the player, start the song, add it to the playlist . and figs to you! while scanning is in progress, this cannot be done . hmm, hand-face 5. Memory - 1 slot and up to 1TB (why not up to 2?) It's time for manufacturers to think about several versions of the model - a standard microSD slot and then built-in memory 128/256/512/1024, etc., the 21st century is all the same. What if you will use your laptop in your home system or, for example, download all performers only in DSD256? This is, of course, a nitpick, 1TB is quite "for the eyes", especially since the device is clearly focused on network services such as Tidal / Deezer / Spotify, etc. 6. Equipment - not familiar with the brand, but familiar with Kitaystroy and their configurations, they could at least put a simple cover / bumper and spare glass on the display, I think they would not have diminished. I took a branded case, do not ask for how much .

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Comments (1)

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Ada Wajszczuk ᠌

November 16, 2022

Some pros: High sound quality, stable AO performance, relatively large output power Cons: No layout of files into tracks via x. Cue, no coaxial digital output, closed android that does not allow installing additional software, no 4.4 mm balanced output