Question What Portable

[Murf1200]

Good afternoon,

I am thinking about upgrading my Astell & Kern AK70, which I use mainly through my car Aux input - Is the Sony NW A306 better or should I go for the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35?

Cheers

 

[Messiah]

Better in what way?

What do you want from an upgrade?

 

[Al ears]

Good afternoon,

I am thinking about upgrading my Astell & Kern AK70, which I use mainly through my car Aux input - Is the Sony NW A306 better or should I go for the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35?

Cheers

I own the Norma SR35. Would I trade it in for a half the price device? No.
However, it's probably not much better soundwise compared to the AK70 so, as @Messiah asks, it depends what from an upgrade.

 

[Murf1200]

The A70 lacks bluetooth, which would be good but obviously I don't want to lose sound quality

 

[Al ears]

The A70 lacks bluetooth, which would be good but obviously I don't want to lose sound quality

Using Bluetooth over a wired connection and you will lose sound quality....
Anyway I thought the AK70 did have Bluetooth....
At least it does if you read the WHF review.
Use the AK70 with a decent pair of headphones / earphones using the 2.5mm balanced connection and you'll struggle to find anything offering better sound quality for anywhere near the price.

 

[Murf1200]

My AK70's battery isn't so good now as it is a good few years old and I use it everyday in my car plugged in though the AUX connection, so I am thinking of changing.
Newer models have bluetooth which the AK70 doesn't have and this would make it more versatile - The question is - Does the Sony NW A306, when listening to it in it's best settings and using the wired connection to decent headphones the same, better or worse than my AK70 as the price price difference to the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 is significant?

 

[Al ears]

My AK70's battery isn't so good now as it is a good few years old and I use it everyday in my car plugged in though the AUX connection, so I am thinking of changing.
Newer models have bluetooth which the AK70 doesn't have and this would make it more versatile - The question is - Does the Sony NW A306, when listening to it in it's best settings and using the wired connection to decent headphones the same, better or worse than my AK70 as the price price difference to the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 is significant?

Your Ak70 does have Bluetooth according to all reviews.
If you use it in the car can't you also keep it charged?
No idea regarding the Sony as I have never heard one.
Unfortunately only you can say whether or not it sounds better.
Can you get somewhere to audition one?

 

[daytona600]

What portable - go big

 

[Al ears]

What portable - go big
View attachment 9102

Oh dear! Very ' elpful.
There's always one.... 🙂