The New iRiver AK100: A High-End DAP - Page 195

Quote:

Originally Posted by lerxst 

Does anyone have a RWAK100 for sale and maybe hasn't listed it in the For Sale section yet? :) I am interested in buying it, if so. (I'd post a WTB over there but the system doesn't allow me yet... sigh)

I'm not selling mine!

Has anyone tried comparing the SQ of FLAC vs ALAC/AIFF on the AK100 (transcoded on the exact same track)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegiz 

I downloaded a bunch of high res music from HD Tracks and ripped CD's (used JRiver Media Center).

 

The CD rips worked fine when sent to the RWAK from Jriver, as well as dragging and dropping the files from Windows 7 to the mounted RWAK drive.

 

However, I am having an issue with Chesky HD download for Wycliffe Gordon binaural+.  The album always shows up on the RWAK in the "unknown" folder regardless if I drag and drop from Windows or sending to the RWAK via JRiver.

 

Any ideas here?

 

I'm wondering if the tags are all screwed up? If so, could you suggest an easy to use tag editior that doesnt require you to insall a bunch of bloat ware when trying to download it...

 

Thanks,

 

 

Joe

 

PS: Was listening to the Louis Armstrong "Its a Wonderful World" album last downloaded from HD Tracks.  I used the headphone out into my RS Intruder connected to my HD800's.....all I can say is the RWAK rocks!!

You should just use the Tag function on JRiver MC......

I have both albums you've listed, did you also buy Explorations is Space and Time? Fantastic album, my favorite out of the three..................

Double post, deleted

Hi all!

I've been using the stock AK100 for the 3rd week already.

Currently I have to use it with the only decent headphones of mine - ATH-ESW9.

I like the SQ (listening mostly to Hi-Res flacks 24/96-192, jazz and latin jazz, light rock etc.). But I'd like to get some IEMs. Has anyone here tried the Suyama's ak100-111is? What are the impressions?

Also I'm considering getting SE535ltd. Or Tzar-350?%)))

Getting a portable amp is not an option, imho, because I love the portability of this little gem. But at full volume (75) Hi-Res tracks really shine with my "big" home stereo system - I love the sound!!!

BTW, the battery discharges substantially faster with full volume and hi-bitrate files:(

Is there a controller or something in AK100, that would allow me to keep it plugged to USB of my comp fully charged using as a source for my home set-up without charging-discharging cycles?? I mean, will there be any harm for the battery if I keep it plugged into USB while playing at full volume fully charged?

And also, is it normal to use a smartphone wall charger with USB cable - the AK100 charges way faster than when using a computer USB port...

And yes, the volume knob is somekinda loose - but it changes the volume very precise and correctly. Has anyone tried DIY mod - maybe gluing it from inside or some rubber O-ring.

The build quality of AK100 is perfect, but the loose volume knob annoys me. Shame on iRiver!!!!!!!!

Thanks for any reply!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

Has anyone tried comparing the SQ of FLAC vs ALAC/AIFF on the AK100 (transcoded on the exact same track)?

I have - my ears couldn't pick up any sonic differences. Not sure if that means there aren't any, or if the level of the difference is beyond my capability to discern. Hrm.

     Quote:

Originally Posted by aqtaket 

Also I'm considering getting SE535ltd. 

 

SE535 is known for being mid-centric, but people seem to complain about the bass (or lack thereof).The limited edition fixes that, to an extent.

     Quote:

Originally Posted by aqtaket 

BTW, the battery discharges substantially faster with full volume and hi-bitrate files:(

Is there a controller or something in AK100, that would allow me to keep it plugged to USB of my comp fully charged using as a source for my home set-up without charging-discharging cycles?? I mean, will there be any harm for the battery if I keep it plugged into USB while playing at full volume fully charged?

And also, is it normal to use a smartphone wall charger with USB cable - the AK100 charges way faster than when using a computer USB port...

Battery will of course drain faster with louder volumes as that requires more power from the device. Plugging it in to a power source for extended periods of time will substantially damage the battery as it is made of Lithium Polymer. Best to charge it fully and use it until such a time that it requires charging again. Note that Lithium Polymer batteries do not like being fully drained; this significantly reduces the battery's lifespan and contributes to physical bloating.

You should be fine with any wall charger rated at 5V.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

Has anyone tried comparing the SQ of FLAC vs ALAC/AIFF on the AK100 (transcoded on the exact same track)?

I have compared WAV/FLAC and AIFF is basically WAV but with tagging. No difference at all, the only time I have found a difference between lossless file formats was on my old iMod 5.5 gen rockbox where it failed to keep up the real time decompressing of certain *.ape tracks. In these situations I tend to follow the popular purist HiFi theory that less is more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqtaket 

Is there a controller or something in AK100, that would allow me to keep it plugged to USB of my comp fully charged using as a source for my home set-up without charging-discharging cycles?? I mean, will there be any harm for the battery if I keep it plugged into USB while playing at full volume fully charged?

And also, is it normal to use a smartphone wall charger with USB cable - the AK100 charges way faster than when using a computer USB port...

And yes, the volume knob is somekinda loose - but it changes the volume very precise and correctly. Has anyone tried DIY mod - maybe gluing it from inside or some rubber O-ring.

The build quality of AK100 is perfect, but the loose volume knob annoys me. Shame on iRiver!!!!!!!!

Thanks for any reply!!!

Wall chargers usually charge at 700ma~ whilst standard usb ports charge at 500ma~. Newer computers with USB3 ports should have a faster changing feature and should be just as fast as a standard wall charger.

And yes, I agree the volume control on the AK100 feels flimsy. I don't see why they even need a volume control wheel when the volume is digitally controlled, 2 buttons would have been fine. Another marketing compromise.

Supposedly ALAC and FLAC is exactly the same as long as they are on the same compression level and coming from the same source

Supposedly that is, I know some people would swear only with some format of lossless because they thought it would sound better

Just got my AK100, so far so good.  Seems a good match for my Ultrasone IQs.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by spkrs01 

 

You should just use the Tag function on JRiver MC......

 

I have both albums you've listed, did you also buy Explorations is Space and Time? Fantastic album, my favorite out of the three..................

Yes, I also purchased Explorations...I agree its very well done.  Its amazing at how much different (better?) the binaural recordings are with placing the listener dead center within the performance. I have to read up more on how they achieve this..to see if its just miking or the way the tracks are recorded etc.

Thanks for the tip re: the tag function on JRiver, I was able to correct the tags and now the album appears fine. If I recall when I downloaded the flacs natively from HDTracks the tags worked fine.  When downloading in aif if I remember correctly thats when I had many of the tag issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by forceofnature 

Just got my AK100, so far so good.  Seems a good match for my Ultrasone IQs.  

I've been looking around for a good pair of iem's to use with the RWAK, I will check out those Ultrasones.  I get funny looks if I'm outside with the RWAK and my HD800's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgunshane 

I for one loved the volume wheel. A physical wheel for digital volume control is genius. You can make very fine adjustments very simply and easily. It's not really *loose* and doesn't turn accidentally but does have play between the micro steps. Perhaps that design is how they keep it from accidentally turning? I just know I never had problems with it while being in my pocket and could make small adjustments without looking. I'd take some kind of rotation wheel or knob over up/down buttons anyday if properly implemented.

This is actually the first constructive comment I've heard regarding the volume knob, lol. I hate how it can accidentally turn when you shoot it in your pocket. Plus, I think it's really really susceptible to wear and tear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gelomeister 

I have - my ears couldn't pick up any sonic differences. Not sure if that means there aren't any, or if the level of the difference is beyond my capability to discern. Hrm.

Thanks for the verification~

Quote:

Originally Posted by essencez 

 

I have compared WAV/FLAC and AIFF is basically WAV but with tagging. No difference at all, the only time I have found a difference between lossless file formats was on my old iMod 5.5 gen rockbox where it failed to keep up the real time decompressing of certain *.ape tracks. In these situations I tend to follow the popular purist HiFi theory that less is more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrias 

Supposedly ALAC and FLAC is exactly the same as long as they are on the same compression level and coming from the same source

Supposedly that is, I know some people would swear only with some format of lossless because they thought it would sound better

I believe that all the data contained within the ALAC/FLAC/WAV/AIFF are the exactly same. However, there are times whereby the sound is different as a result of the playback software (could be the codec or the decoding process). Processor speed, ram and hard drive spinning rate are of modern day's standard so the effect is not a result of the hardware latency.

I am not sure how the software in the AK100 treats Apple file format (ALAC/AIFF) as opposed to the Windows file format (FLAC/WAV).