Astell&Kern A&norma SR35

The A&norma SR35 is a digital audiophile portable player from South Korean manufacturer Astell&Kern, designed for high-resolution listening on the go. It serves as the entry point into the A&norma range, aimed at those wishing to go beyond the limitations of a smartphone for headphone or earphone listening.

At the heart of the device is a quad Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC, capable of handling PCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz as well as DSD256, with MQA compatibility. The amplification section uses an exclusive technology also found on the flagship A&ultima and A&futura models, combined with Teraton Alpha technology, which reduces noise from the power supply and components. The stated signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 130 dB, resulting in a particularly clean rendering of fine recording detail.

Headphone connectivity comprises three outputs: an unbalanced 3.5 mm mini-jack output, a balanced 2.5 mm output and a balanced 4.4 mm output, allowing you to make the most of a wide range of headphones and earphones depending on their cabling. A USB Type C port handles charging, file transfer and operation as a USB DAC. The player features a 3.6-inch touchscreen (720 x 1280 pixels), an aluminium chassis, a high-precision clock, 64 GB of internal memory expandable via microSD card up to 1 TB, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with SBC, AAC, aptX HD and LDAC codecs for wireless listening.

This player is aimed at high-resolution music enthusiasts seeking refined listening on the move, whether travelling or as a complement to a home system. Its compatibility with numerous formats, including native DSD and MQA, along with its proprietary operating system, make it a fitting companion for a demanding and varied music library.