To personally tailor your sound, the SE180 goes one step further than the slightly older SE200 (which has two user-selectable DAC configurations built into the player) in that it features an interchangeable DAC module design. The new SE180 is the third model in Astell & Kern’s near-flagship A&futura range, following the inaugural SE100 and SE200, both of which gained Awards from this very publication in 20 respectively (and are listed below). How about a customisable PMP with interchangeable DAC modules? That's the idea here – and we liked it so much, we gave it a What Hi-Fi? 2021 Award.
It’s important to note that wi-fi streaming is still off the menu – so you will have to go without on-the-go streaming from Tidal, Deezer and others – but if you have the files and like the idea of pairing your portable music player either to a wireless speaker or pair of headphones for one of the smallest wireless systems you’ve seen, there’s no better shout currently on the market for the money. This is a talented player that's sonically similar in character to its older siblings, but there are small upgrades here in terms of rhythm, timing, detail and musicality. There is support for 24-bit/192kHz WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and DSD128 file compatibility too – and that support is native, so DSD files aren’t converted to PCM during playback. The D3 boasts a seriously impressive battery life of up to 45 hours if you’re playing MP3 files, or a solid 30 hours when listening to hi-res files at 'normal' volume. The cracking new volume dial on the top right of the player feels like an homage to far pricier Astell & Kern players (several of which are listed below) and makes this little machine feel much more expensive than it is. Now into its third iteration, Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its 2021-issue bijou matchbox-sized player – and produced a What Hi-Fi? 2021 Award-winner.
Not all players work with all file types.
They hook up directly to your TV so you can play your content there, although the compression from the PC to the device might degrade the picture quality.
You can catch up on your TV shows while you're waiting in line at the grocery store or waiting for the dryer to finish at the laundromat. The portable players are handy for taking on walks, airplanes, or long car rides. Then you can listen to music while watching your slide show. This includes digital photos, hours of music, recorded TV programs and videos. Most players allow you to record digital content on your PC and transfer it to your player. You can look at your digital photos on your PC and turn them into slide shows for your TV, or listen to Internet radio stations from all over the world on your computer or stereo. You can listen to your favorite MP3 songs on your stereo system or TV.
Digital MP3 Media Players Do It Allĭepending on your computer's hardware configuration and memory (as well as the type of player you decide on), you can do all sorts of things with digital media players. The latest generation of digital media players is great for gadget lovers.
It's also nice to have a portable player that does more than play MP3s. With the incredible amount of digital media content available today, it's nice to have a single device that will hold all your files and transfer them from your PC to your home entertainment system and back. Use this link for more information on Digital Media and MP3 Players in our Learning Center