PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

TREAT YOUR TUNES TO A DEDICATED MUSIC PLAYER

2022-07-20 -

Sony NW-A55L £160

Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before.

Hi-res 32-bit/384khz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microsd)

Cowon Plenue D3 £279

Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192khz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB

Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 £599

Best portable music player £500-£1000, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

More expressive and eloquent than any other portable music player we’ve encountered at this price – far beyond anything smartphones are capable of. Hi-res 32-bit/384khz, DSD256 Weight 279g Storage 832GB

Astell & Kern Kann Alpha £1099

April 2021 ★★★★★

A powerful and talented machine, we cannot fault its sonic chops. The stylish, rock-solid build is (just) small enough to take with you on your travels Hi-res 32-bit/384khz, DSD256 Weight 316g Storage 64GB

Astell & Kern A&futura SE180 £1399

Best portable music player over £1000, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

If you’re looking for an excellent-sounding player without spending thousands, the A&futura SE180 is among the best we’ve come across. Hi-res 32-bit/384khz, DSD 256 Storage 256GB (plus 1TB via microsd)

Astell & Kern A&futura SE200 £1799

Best portable music player over £1000, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ Astell & Kern has managed to set a new performance benchmark for the price with the A&futura SE200.

Hi-res 32-bit/348khz, DSD 256, MQA Weight 274g Storage 256GB

?? ?? “Another example of Astell & Kern getting the performance balance between informing and entertaining spot on ” — “Another example of Astell & Kern getting the performance balance between informing and entertaining spot on ”

?? ?? “The SE200 delivers the music faultlessly. It captures fine details and dynamic fluctuations and conveys it on a crystal clear canvas” — “The SE200 delivers the music faultlessly. It captures fine details and dynamic fluctuations and conveys it on a crystal clear canvas”

?? ?? “The soundstage has been prized wide open too, allowing the track’s scale to soar and detail to unfold” — “The soundstage has been prized wide open too, allowing the track’s scale to soar and detail to unfold”

?? ?? “Listening to downloaded hi-res music on the Kann Alpha is truly a joy” — “Listening to downloaded hi-res music on the Kann Alpha is truly a joy”

?? ?? “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its player and released another class leader” — “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its player and released another class leader”

?? ?? “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board” — “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board”