A global reference, What Hifi? is one of the most comprehensive magazines covering Home Cinema and Hifi. The "5 stars" award distinguishes the highest quality products, according to this British magazine.
The A&norma range from Astell&Kern is designed to deliver high-end sound reproduction in a portable format with the best specifications in its class. The previous model, the SR25 MKII, was appreciated by audiophiles and personal audio beginners alike for its portability and powerful Hi-Fi sound delivered via its 4.4mm balanced jack.
The new A&norma SR35 portable audio player inherits these strengths while using the amplification and audio design already used for Astell&Kern’s high-end products to deliver the authentic sound quality for which the brand is renowned. Ultra-compact, it offers 20 hours of continuous playback and supports Quad DAC and two-stage gain control. Moreover, for the first time in the A&norma range, it incorporates New Generation Amp technology with Astell&Kern’s long-standing expertise to reproduce Hi-Fi sound at a higher output.
The user interface of the SR35 has also been updated with new visuals for a more user-friendly and immersive experience. The SR35 is also Roon Ready and MQA compatible to further enhance the performance of the A&norma range. With the new A&norma SR35 portable audio player, Astell&Kern offers an unparalleled high-end portable audio experience.
Roon Ready is a solution designed for music lovers who seek exceptional sound quality on various devices connected to their home network. This premium service is available on select audio products, but now also compatible with the A&norma series for audiophile listening on the go.
Thanks to the support of the MQA 8X decoder, the SR35 is capable of natively playing and streaming high-quality MQA audio files, for a listening experience faithful to the original recordings. The A&norma series is committed to delivering exceptional sound quality, anytime and anywhere.
Enjoy superior sound quality without compromise with Roon Ready, now available on the A&norma series for an unparalleled mobile audiophile music experience.
For the first time in the A&norma series, the SR35 is equipped with the CS43198 DAC from Cirrus Logic, configured in Quad DAC. This DAC has been enthusiastically received for its ability to deliver exceptional spatial sense and superior resolution. A new audio circuit design has also been implemented, incorporating Astell&Kern’s unique technologies, the Quad DAC, and the patented TERATON ALPHA technology. This innovative design enables advanced dynamics, exceptional spatial sense, improved resolution, and superior separation.
Furthermore, the latest technologically advanced amplification circuit, previously only available in flagship products, is now integrated into the SR35. This provides a significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 130 dB, an industry leader. A Dual/Quad DAC switching mode is offered to enhance power management and battery life efficiency, an essential feature of the A&norma series.
The SR35 supports native DSD256 and PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz playback, delivering authentic Hi-Fi sound quality without distortion. Experience the unparalleled sound quality of the A&norma series with the SR35, equipped with a cutting-edge Quad DAC and innovative audio circuit design for an exceptional listening experience.
The Astell&Kern brand is known for its philosophy of refusing to overlook even the slightest differences in sound quality. This approach has been recognized by numerous media outlets and audiophiles through our multiple versions of high-end audio players that combine innovative circuitry and amplification technologies. The SR35 is equipped with next-generation AMP technology, which has been applied to the A&ultima line so that A&norma users can also enjoy the highest level of sound provided by the A&ultima line with this exclusive internal technology.
This new AMP technology applied to the SR35 effectively improves noise reduction at high output power. Furthermore, the SR35 features an amplifier of the same design as the latest A&ultima and A&futura products, offering exceptional sound quality to the most discerning audiophiles.
With this new SR35 player, Astell & Kern clearly raises the bar for its entry-level offerings. The interface, favorably reworked, only partially corrects the usual slowness of the brand's players. But whether in form or sound, the formula is more modern and powerful than ever, to the point of dangerously approaching the A&futura and Kann series.
Sampling rate
Output level
Daniel
Excellent player, the sound is great, but even though it's the brand's entry-level model, I think a protective case should have been included for the price.
Comment from July 13, 2025 — Experience from June 28, 2025
Philippe
Very good product; excellent device quality and excellent sound.
It's a pity that there isn't a reasonably priced case available.
Comment from July 04, 2025 — Experience from June 22, 2025
Vincent
High-end, very practical, versatile but not very fast.
Comment from January 08, 2024 — Experience from December 28, 2023
