Astell&Kern SR25 Portable MP3 Audio Player Instructions Manual

Astell&Kern SR25 Portable MP3 Audio Player

Package Contents

Contents may be changed without prior notice to improve the performance or quality of the product.

• Protective Film: Protect the device and its screen.
• microSD Card Slot Cover: The cover is used to protect the microSD card slot when not in use. It is installed in the product by default.
• USB Type-C Cable: For charging and data transfer.
• Quick Start Guide: Basic overview of device functionality.
• Warranty Card: Provides warranty details for your device. Maintain a copy of this card as it may be required for future technical support requests.
• User Guide: The User Guide can be downloaded from the Astell&Kern website. [http://www.astellnkern.com > Support > Download].

Product Overview

The appearance of the product, as well as the printed and engraved information, may vary depending on the model.

• USB Type-C Port:– DC Power symbol. For charging and data transfer.
• microSD Card Slot:– microSD Card Slot symbol. Insert a microSD card to access its files.
• 3.5mm Unbalanced Port:– 3.5mm Unbalanced Port symbol. For audio output, connect earphones or headphones that utilize a 3.5mm jack.
• Power:– Power symbol.
• Short press – Turns the screen on or off.
• Press and hold – Turns the device on or off.
• 2.5mm Balanced Port: BAL. – 2.5mm Balanced Port symbol. For audio output, connect earphones or headphones that utilize a 2.5mm jack.
• Previous/Rewind: Short press – Play the previous song or restart the current song.
• Press and hold – Rewind the current song.
• Play/Pause: Play or pause the current song.
• Next/Fast-Forward: Short press – Play the next song.
• Press and hold – Fast-forward to the current song.
• Volume: Turn the wheel to adjust the playback output volume level.
• LCD Touchscreen: Display screen with touch control features.
• Home Button: Press to return to the Home Screen.

Power Management

Powering the Device On/Off

1. Press and hold the [Power] button to turn on the device.
2. While the device is on, press and hold the [Power] button to shut down the device. A confirmation message will appear.
3. Press [OK] to turn off the device.

Turning the Screen On/Off

1. While the screen is on, press the [Power] button to turn off the screen.
2. Press the [Power] button again to turn it on.

Reset Function

1. In case of unexpected device failure or freeze, press and hold [Power] for 7 seconds to force a shutdown. The device can then be restarted after the shutdown is complete.

Charging

Charging via USB Wall Adapter

1. Commercially available 5V 2A output adapters may be used for charging.

Firmware Updates

Wi-Fi Update / OTA (Over-the-Air)

1. Connect to a wireless network.
2. If a new firmware update is available, the screen will display a Firmware Update Guide window.
3. Select [Update].
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the firmware update.

Basic Operations

LCD Touchscreen

1. This device features an LCD touchscreen that allows you to perform operations by touch. Use the touchscreen to access various features on the device.

Return to the Home Screen

1. Press [] at any time to return to the Home Screen.

From the Home Screen, swipe your finger to the left, right, up or down from any edge of the touchscreen to access display menus. Each side of the Home Screen will activate a different display menu.

Main Menu

1. From the left edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger right to display the Main Menu, or tap the “A” icon in the upper left corner of the screen.

Notification Bar

1. From the top edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger down to display the Notification Bar.

View Current Playlist

1. From the right edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger left to display the Now Playing menu.

View Play History

1. From the bottom edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger up to display the Play History menu.

Moving Up/Down on a List

1. Scroll through a list by dragging your finger up or down.

Home Screen

Notification Bar

Using Open APP Service

The Open APP Service enables the user to install specific APK music streaming apps to the device. Copy the desired APK into the Open Service folder of the product and install the relevant App in the [Menu-Service] of the product.

For more information and full instructions on how to install music streaming services, please visit the Astell&Kern website [http://www.astellnkern.com > Support > FAQ > Using Open APP Service].

USB DAC Installation

The USB DAC function allows the device to be recognized as a sound card on a computer. Music from the computer is played through the device’s headphone port for an enhanced listening experience.

USB DAC Specifications

• Supported OS
  • Windows 7(32bit/64bit) / Windows 8(32bit/64bit) / Windows 10(32/64bit) MAC OS 10.7(Lion) or later
• USB DAC Support Specifications
  • Supported Formats: PCM [8~384kHz(8/16/24bit)] DSD [2.8/5.6/11.2MHz]
• Control the volume with the AK device’s volume wheel.

Control the volume with the AK device’s volume wheel.

How to Use USB Audio

Connect the device to a portable amp or DAC using USB Audio Out.

How to Connect a Portable USB DAC

1. Connect the portable USB DAC to the AK device’s USB Type-C port with a dedicated cable.
2. Pressin the Notification Bar.
3. Onceis activated, you can enjoy music stored on the device through the connected portable USB DAC.

How to Change USB Audio DSD Output Type

You can change the type of DSD data that is outputted through the USB audio.

1. Select a DSD output type in [Menu – Settings – USB Audio].
   • PCM: DSD audio is converted into PCM before being outputted through the USB audio out.
   • DoP: DSD audio is converted into DoP before being outputted through the USB audio.
   • MQA: Optional activation of S/W MQA decoding. Options may differ depending on the connected external device. Please refer to the specifications of each device.

CD Ripping

CDs can be ripped directly to the device using the AK CDRIPPER (sold separately).

Connecting the AK CD-RIPPER

1. Connect the AK CD-RIPPER to USB Type-C port of the device using the proper cable.
2. In the Notification Bar pressto link the devices and activate the CD Ripping Menu.
3. When ripping is complete, before disconnecting, presson the Notification Bar to unlink/disconnect the devices.

Automatically select the CD ripper function.

1. Select the function to automatically execute in [Menu- Settings-CD Ripper-Default run].
2. Select the [CD Player] / [CD Ripping] function.
3. When [Ask every time] is selected, the function selection popup will be displayed each time a CD is inserted.

CD Ripping

1. Select the ripping function in [Menu-Settings-CD Ripper- Default run-CD Ripping].
2. Connect the AK CD-Ripper to the device and select CD Ripping if not set as the default run function.
3. Insert a CD and metadata (ID3 tags) for the inserted CD will be retrieved via Gracenote if Wi-Fi is turned on.
4. CD ripping will begin automatically after the metadata has been downloaded.
5. When finished, press [OK] when prompted to complete the automatic CD ripping process.

CD Ripping Results

: Indicates that CD ripping is complete, or that CD ripping was successfully completed after correcting an error via error correction.
Χ : Indicates that the song currently being ripped can be canceled by the user.
 ! : Indicates that CD ripping failed due to an error that can’t be corrected, such as a scratched CD, or that CD ripping was canceled by the user.

AK CDPlayer

Using the AK CD-Player Function

1. Connect the AK CD-Ripper to the device and select CD Player if not set as the default run function.
2. Insert a CD and metadata (ID3 tags) for the inserted CD will be retrieved via Gracenote if Wi-Fi is turned on.
3. Once the metadata has been downloaded, press play.

Car Mode

Settings

The settings menu allows users to customize the device. The settings menu may vary depending on the firmware version.

Setup

1. Select [Main Menu – Settings] or select setting icon from the Notification Bar menu.
2. Select the feature to view setting options.

Wi-Fi

• Change wireless network settings and turn Wi-Fi on/off.

Bluetooth

• Connect a Bluetooth device to listen to music wirelessly.

AK CONNECT

• Turn AK Connect on/off and set AK Connect options.

Equalizer

• Set the equalizer according to the user’s preferences.
  • USER EQ: Adjust the frequencies according to the user’s preferences.

EQ Sync

• Share or receive Custom User EQ files.
  • To access custom EQ files, connect the device to the computer. Internal Storage -> EqLists -> “User EQ.dat”

Gapless

• Plays the next song without any interruption.
  • Gapless playback is only supported between two files with identical bit rates, sample rates, and channels.

Line Out

• Set the voltage value generated when Line Out is activated.

LR Balance

• Adjust the left-right balance for earphones/headphones.

Playback Settings

• • Set how to add a song to Now Playing when a song is selected from a music list.

Notification Panel

• Add, delete, or reorganize Quick Settings buttons on the notification bar. Drag and drop icons to add quick settings buttons or change the preferred order.

CD Ripper

• Set the automatic CD ripping function as well as the file format and ripping speed.

USB Mode

• Media Device (USB Drive): When connected to a computer, the device appears as a removable drive.
• DAC Input: Output sound from a connected computer to the device.

USB Audio

• Select the type of DSD sound being outputted through USB Audio Out to a connected portable DAC. Enable/Disable MQA decoding software.

Car mode

• Turn the car mode on/off.
• Double Tap Wake function
  • If the screen is off, tap the screen twice to turn it back on.
  • When the device is connected to a charger, the screen will remain on.
  • If the power button is used to turn off the screen, the Double Tap Wake function will remain enabled.

Volume Limit

• Volume Limit: Enable or disable the high-volume warning
• Volume warning option: Display a warning when listening at a high volume for long periods.

Pre Cautions

Device

• When a plug is inserted into the unbalanced, balanced, or USB port, do not apply any force or impact to the plug.
• Do not insert any metal objects (coins, hairpins, etc.) or flammable debris into the device.
• Do not put heavy objects on the device.
• If the device gets wet (rain, water, chemicals, medicine, cosmetics, sweat, moisture, etc.), allow the device to dry thoroughly before powering on. (Damage may not be repairable, however, if deemed repairable, any damage due to liquid exposure will be repaired for an additional fee even if the device is under warranty.)
•  Avoid exposing the device to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures (0℃ – +40℃) such as the
  inside of a car during the summer.
• Do not store or use in hot and humid places such as saunas.
• Avoid places with excessive dust or smoke.
• Do not use for extended periods on blankets, electric blankets, or carpet.
• Do not place near a fire or in a microwave.
• Never disassemble, repair, or alter the product.
• Do not store for extended periods in a confined space with the power on.
• Do not place the device near magnetic objects (magnets, televisions, monitors, speakers, etc.).
• Do not let chemicals or detergents come in contact with the product since they may damage the surface and paint.
• Do not drop or expose the product to strong impacts (places where there is strong vibration, etc.).
• Do not press multiple buttons simultaneously.
• Do not disconnect the USB Type-C cable during data transfer.
• When connecting the device to a computer with the USB Type-C cable, use a USB port on the back of the computer for best results.
• Connecting the cable to a defective or damaged USB port on a computer may damage the device.
• Displaying one image for an extended period may cause screen burn-in (afterimage).
• Using poor-quality protective films or adhesive stickers on the screen may cause damage.
• Do not insert any foreign objects into the device ports.
• The device may become warm while playing and charging, so handle it carefully.
• The product’s corners may be sharp, so handle carefully.

Other

• Do not use earphones/headphones or use the device while operating any type of vehicle. It is not only dangerous but may be a violation of the law in certain regions.
• Do not use the product during physical activities (driving, walking, hiking, etc.).
• Always use in a safe environment to avoid the risk of an accident.
• When using the device while moving, make sure the area is free of obstacles.
• Avoid using the device during thunderstorms to reduce the possibility of electric shock.
• If there is a ringing in the ears, reduce the volume or stop using the device.
• Do not listen to music at excessive volumes for extended periods.
• Do not use earphones/headphones at excessive volumes.
• Make sure that the headphones/earphones do not get stuck in another object or get caught between other objects.
• Do not sleep with earphones in your ears or leave them in for extended periods.

Troubleshooting

Solutions to Common Issues

1. The device won’t turn on.
   • The battery may need to be recharged. Charge the device for at least one hour and try again.
   • Reset the device. (See Page 5)
2. The device will not charge when connected to a computer via a USB cable.
   • Connect to the computer using the provided USB Type-C cable. Charging may not occur depending on the condition and specifications of your computer. (In this case, charging via computer is not recommended.)
   • Connect the device to a USB wall adapter using the provided USB Type-C cable to charge directly from a wall outlet.
3. The computer won’t recognize the device or an error occurs when connected.
   • Use a USB port on the back of the computer.
   • Check if the USB Type-C cable is connected correctly.
   • For Mac, check to ensure the MTP program is installed properly.
   • Check if the device connects properly to a different computer.
4. The screen turns off repeatedly.
   • The screen turns off automatically after a defined period to reduce battery consumption. Set the time at [Menu- Settings – Timer Settings – Screen Timeout].
5. The screen does not display images properly.
   • Check the screen for debris.
6. There is no sound or there is static/interference.
   • Check that the volume setting is above [0].
   • Check that the earphones are plugged in properly and make sure nothing is obstructing the port connection.
   • Verify that the music file is not corrupt.
   • Verify that the audio settings have been set properly. (Balanced out, line out, etc.)
7. A file does not play or the product becomes unstable when a certain file is played.
   • The file may be damaged or corrupt if the following occurs:
     • The playback stops or freezes.
     • The device may act erratically or freeze.
     • The file may sound different on another device.
     • There may be a difference in the performance of playback or other functions.
     • There may be differences in the file specs.

• Converting the file to a different format or use of a different file is recommended.

Specifications

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Astell&Kern SR25 Portable MP3 Audio Player-FAQs