Synergy
Finding compatible gear with the SE300 is not difficult. Its soft and smooth nature goes well with many IEMs. Some of them include;
For headphones, if you open the Class A amp with high gain, it drives the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth very well for example. But it’s not like the M9+ or RS8 in that regard, at least in my experience.
Comparisons
The DX320 is a great DAP with an excellent screen and small bezels. Its own unique design is rounder and smooth compared to the sharp angles of the SE300.
It has a bigger and much more impressive screen. Its UI is open Android and the software allows every app to install/remove. So it’s a much more liberated experience overall. The UI is snappier. Altough the A&K offering has a more polished and premium UI, the DX320 is simply faster.
The DX320, to me, is a flatter-sounding DAP compared to the SE300. It’s not as musical and spacious as the SE300, but it has a sharper and crisper treble which has a better definition. The DX320 sounds a bit more mechanical but with a faster bass and crisper approach in mids and treble. Its flatter in the mid-range too, and the elevated mid-range presentation of the SE300 is not present in the DX320.
If you wish to experience the premium A&K feeling, the SE300 would appeal to your needs, especially if you’re on the lookout for a musical and natural-sounding DAP with good layering. However, if you have to have the most snappy UI experience, a cohesive, crisp-sounding DAP, then the DX320 is also another good option which costs a bit less in the meantime.
The SE180, with its SEM3 module, is still a very capable DAP with good technicalities and sound performance. Yet, it’s hard to deny the UI improvement of the SE300, and R2R features inside. Sure, the SE180 has swappable modules, but you usually fix your choice and go on with it anyway, and in my case, that is the SEM3 module.
So the module thing is not that important once you find your favourite one. The SE300 has advantages in terms of sound performance too, which are not huge differences but they’re quite noticeable. First of all, it has a better timbre which feels more realistic. Then you hear the sound stage which is wider and deeper, the you hear the improved layering performance.
Are those enough to switch from the SE180 if you already have one? My answer would be no if you’re not bothered with the old software of the SE180. If you have the SEM3 or the SEM4 module, you’re pretty much OK for quite a while longer. Sure, the SE300 puts more to the table, and has a flashier design and all, but the sound improvement is not incredible.
However, if you’re planning an upgrade from a lower-level DAP, skip the SE180 or other previous A&K SE DAPs if you can get your hands on the new SE300.
Conclusion
The Astell & Kern SE300 offers the most up-to-date A&K experience, especially if you can’t go higher up with your cash for the SP3000. And if you consider the law of diminishing returns in our hobby, it becomes very tempting and appealing to get one.
The classy design and the new polished/modern user interface are very refreshing features indeed. And the sound quality is satisfying, especially in terms of mid-range tonality and layering. If you want to experience premium R2R DAPs in the market, the new SE300 is a viable option.
Pros:
- Premium design
- New, modern UI
- Good battery life
- Warm, musical sound
- Good sound-stage and layering
Cons:
- The price is a bit steep
- UI is still not very fast
- WiFi reception isn’t great
Page 1: About A&K and SE300, Packaging, Design & Build, UI, Connectivity
Page 2: Sound Quality
DLE Saner
You people need to understand one important thing,if the audio file imported into the player sucks the output will suck…even the best player in the world can’t make a badly encoded audio file,be it mp3 or .flac sound right.Since most of the consumers have no clue about it they should stick to a mid range audio player like the SONY NW-WM1A which is adequate and don’t puts you outta funds.To all them “purists” I say:Can you really hear the difference?…don’t think so…as long as you encode mp3-320kB/44000Hz you’re fine.
Claudio
To be honest I own a Sony wm1a and also astell and kern sp3000 and se180, fiio m17 and other DAP and i can hear differences. I can assure you that the most avanced DAP offers a more balanced and detailed sound than my wm1a, but is not a night day difference. It’s only about your preferences. But If ask me if in the future i will buy a told DAP again a would say no because in my case astell and kern futura line offers a god experience and you have DAP for many years.
YOU
which one do you prefer between all ?
Roni
Hello,
Thanks for this important review and comparisons…
Very important question: To get that neutral tonality, do you recommend to use the EQ? Or the EQ can distort the sound?
Thanks in advance