I know there’s some interest here in the A&K S35. It’s not in the market yet but there’s some new information about it over in another forum.
An A&K rep has said that it will be Roon Ready at launch, but ARC will not be supported. He indicated that it might be supported in the future.
The underlying OS is Android 11 but of course is not open Android. I haven’t owned an A&K DAP so I don’t fully understand the implications of their app installation limits. I know that on other A&K devices, some sideloading is permitted but I’m not sure if the sideloadable apps are limited to an A&K whitelist.
I also know that A&K devices limit the total number of installed applications - some limit to 4, some to 8. No information yet that I’ve seen on the app limit on the SR35.
The SOC is also still unknown. It’s assumed that it is not a Snapdragon.
The lack of ARC support would probably rule this device out for me. ARC certainly has its issues on Android DAPs (primarily the lack of bitperfect) but I just can’t imagine buying a DAP that is marketed as “Roon Ready” but doesn’t even run ARC. Perhaps that’s unique to me but I use FiiO DAP both at home and on other WiFi networks when at work or travelling.
I recently upgraded from the AK SP 1000 to the 3000 and I listen to it when walking the dog. The sound quality is excellent. I mostly listen to my own DSD and hi-res music that I’ve loaded onto a 1 TB SD card and rarely use it with Tidal
Why consider this when you have the M11 Plus it will be on par if not better given A&K track record with poor Wi-Fi and Roon Ready. Having had one A&K I would never go for another. Overpriced for what they are in my opinion and too locked down to make a viable portable system.
Fair question. I have a difficult-to-manage impulse to look for the next thing. I can often use research as a means to talk myself out of buying something I don’t need. Just one of my personal demons.
I suspect you’ll be right about the SR35 being underpowered and you’re certainly right about the impact of it being locked down. At least for how I’d use it. I do like the size, the fact that the ports are on the top, and the volume knob. I could live with the aesthetic. I wouldn’t give up the flexibility that comes from open Android, though - I take advantage of that in a variety of ways.
I’m owning a SR25 and a longer time a SP2000 and as Roon ready DAP I’m using a Fiio M11 Plus.
A&K are building nice DAPs, but IMHO primarily for playing local music.
They lacking in Wifi performance and they are not able to play gapless as DLNA client.
The Roon implementation in the SP2000 wasn’t really stable (the Fiio is here much better) and needs a lot of battery (also here the M11 is the winner).
An open Android is IMHO the much better solution than the closed one from A&K, because A&K has a real small white list and also there only some versions (clients for streaming services) are really supported.
After a few years A&K is stopping to develop new firmwares for older models, because they will sell the newer ones…
I like the format of the SR25 (it’s really mobile), but using it nearly only for playing music from the local card.
For ARC I think, that a mobile with a external DAC is a better solution, than the SR35 (at the moment only the SP3000 supports ARC).
This alone sends warning flags. These devices are expensive and can’t run an app that basic phones of less than £300 can run easily. They are just selling to the audiophool crowd who think more money = better, my experience of A&K gives me a very different opinion. I also had an iRiver player many moons ago when they were not so expensive.
Personally no one is challenging Fiio in this space for features (Roon Ready), stability of Wi-Fi, smooth operation and stable. If the others such as iBasso and Shanling catch up and add Roon Ready then maybe but Fiio have now experience here and can only get better.
SR35 has ARC now as well. Works amazing and the power output is enough to push my Dan Clark E3 headphones with no issues. As long as you’re not expecting the fastest performance while using ARC.