Astell & Kern A&futura SE180

£1399

The new SE180 is the third model in Astell & Kern’s near-flagship A&futura range, following the inaugural SE100 and SE200, both of which gained What Hi-fi? Awards in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

The latter introduced a multi-dac concept that saw two user-selectable DAC configurations built into the player, and the SE180 here expands on that with an interchangeable DAC module design. The idea is that Astell & Kern releases a series of DAC modules, all with different sonic characters, that owners of the SE180 can then swap in for the standard supplied one. A&K wants to please everyone’s tastes with these modules – but of course, they are optional, since the SE180 is an all-in-one player in itself, with the default module containing the ESS ES9038PRO DAC. It supports 32-bit/384khz PCM, native DSD256 and MQA audio and, like the optional SEM2 module currently available, has 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs.

The SE180 boasts A&K’S Teraton Alpha audio tech, designed to remove noise and optimise efficiency from power to amplification, to digital-to-analogue signal conversion. Support for LDAC, aptx HD and AAC, allows the player to output wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones or speakers, and BT Sink lets the player play audio from a PC or phone.

The SE180 has built-in wi-fi as well as direct access to streaming service apps; those who want to store their downloaded or ripped music onto the player can do so thanks to 256GB of onboard storage, expandable via microsd card.

We play Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Waiting For You (24-bit/96khz) and from the opening percussive piece the extra space and precision presents itself. There’s clear deliberation to, and texture behind, the piano, while Cave’s crooning takes on plenty of shape and scale.

A&K has once again aced the performance balance between informing and entertaining. If you’re looking for an excellent-sounding player without spending many thousands, the SE180 is among the best we’ve come across.