Conclusion
It’s tough verbalising why I love the SR35 so much, even more than its’ predecessors. There’s something oddly compelling about these little DAPs that owners of Chihuahuas & Mini-Minors probably understand.
Admittedly with TWS earphones gaining popularity its’ appeal may not be as compelling as it once was, yet the sonics emanating from the SR35 with a nice pair of IEMs obliterate anything my Airpod Pros are capable of, and the entire package costs very little in bulk & weight.
Usability is compromised by the small screen & slow CPU, tradeoffs you may be less willing to accept than I am… but in terms of sound, this is the first A&K micro DAP which to my ears delivers a proper sonic experience, something I can listen to even at home and not feel immediately compelled to switch to a bigger & more expensive player. In fact, just recently a fellow Head-Fier remarked that A&K’s new USD $4200 Aura IEMs sound shockingly good on the SR35 which has been my experience as well – proof synergy can often trump size & specs when it comes to pair ups.
I’ll be terribly saddened if A&K eventually does away with their micro DAPs the way Apple did with the iPhone Mini. Consumers deserve options, we shouldn’t all be pidgeon-holed into the same box because the majority of the market has a preference that may not suit our taste or needs.
Next time you visit your audio dealer I encourage you to give the SR35 a try. It won’t sound as amazing as that shiny flagship DAP you’ve coveted, but just holding it in your hand may put a smile on your face.
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