Astell & Kerns Music Player AK100

sdman · 23rd December 2012, 04:38 PM

Just read an interesting review in my newspaper on the Astell & Kerns AK100
High-res music player.
Didn't know know one existed that was portable.
Rather pricey ($700 to $800) but looks like a great player.
Anyone out there have one yet?

Here's the spec's

32GB of internal memory
- dual MicroSDHC port capable to expand the total amount of internal memory of the Astell & Kern AK100 up to 96GB.
- compatible with 24bit/192kHZ FLAC & WAV, APE/MP3/WMA/OGG
- Woflson WM8740 powerful DAC
- output 110bB on a 10Hz to 20kHz range.
- dual Optical IN/OUT port
- 2.4″ LCD IPS color screen
- Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP/HFP
- 12H continuous playback battery when listening to 24bit/192kHZ FLAC
- 20h of battery when playing Mp3

sam

stephensank · 23rd December 2012, 05:47 PM

"Powerful" wolfson 8740 dac? That is a strange statement. I know a lot of people like them, but I haven't yet heard a Wolfson dac sound good, and the 8740 is honestly the worst sounding dac I have ever heard. Biggest thing it's got going for it is extreme cheapness, which is sad for such an expensive piece of gear, but having only optical in/out is equally sad. Description you've posted makes it sound to me like it should retail for $200-250, max, and they'd have darn goof profit margin even at that.

sdman · 23rd December 2012, 06:24 PM

Like they say, wait and it will get cheaper,better and someone will come out with something better.

23rd December 2012, 04:38 PM	#1
sdman diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southwest	Astell & Kerns Music Player AK100 Just read an interesting review in my newspaper on the Astell & Kerns AK100 High-res music player. Didn't know know one existed that was portable. Rather pricey ($700 to $800) but looks like a great player. Anyone out there have one yet? Here's the spec's 32GB of internal memory - dual MicroSDHC port capable to expand the total amount of internal memory of the Astell & Kern AK100 up to 96GB. - compatible with 24bit/192kHZ FLAC & WAV, APE/MP3/WMA/OGG - Woflson WM8740 powerful DAC - output 110bB on a 10Hz to 20kHz range. - dual Optical IN/OUT port - 2.4″ LCD IPS color screen - Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP/HFP - 12H continuous playback battery when listening to 24bit/192kHZ FLAC - 20h of battery when playing Mp3 sam __________________ Sam

23rd December 2012, 06:24 PM	#3
sdman diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southwest	Like they say, wait and it will get cheaper,better and someone will come out with something better. __________________ Sam

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23rd December 2012, 05:47 PM	#2
stephensank diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	"Powerful" wolfson 8740 dac? That is a strange statement. I know a lot of people like them, but I haven't yet heard a Wolfson dac sound good, and the 8740 is honestly the worst sounding dac I have ever heard. Biggest thing it's got going for it is extreme cheapness, which is sad for such an expensive piece of gear, but having only optical in/out is equally sad. Description you've posted makes it sound to me like it should retail for $200-250, max, and they'd have darn goof profit margin even at that.