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The New iRiver/Astell & Kern AK100: A High-End DAP

Dec 9, 2012 at 8:55 AM Post #766 of 9,165
mython said:
Audiophile-targeted?

Hmmm... having been let down very badly by my Cowon J3 with anything other than basic dynamic IEMs (the J3 sounds good in itself but lacks sufficient grunt to properly drive low-impedance CIEMs), I wouldn't even consider buying another DAP (finances notwithstanding) until I know for sure that it has:

1) low output impedance
2) good current delivery

Far too many people get sidetracked by glitzy techno-features or what DAC the DAP utilises. The amp section is absolutely every bit as important!

(please spare me any recommendations to 'add a portable amp' - I wouldn't buy a ferrari and then 'add an engine').

I had to sell my iBasso DX100 to free-up some cash, but that is one damned good DAP, even though it is unfortunately a bit on the bulky side. The DX100 really drives CIEMs properly and the difference in sound quality is moderately-spectacular!

I'll watch the AK100 with interest, as with the HM-901, but it's all talk until we get some proper reviews as to whether the amp sections of these DAPs are designed to do their job properly or if they're just window dressing.
Click to expand...


I'm curious per your experience w/ the Cowon J3 and sensitive IEMs. I am pondering the purchase of a Cowon J3 hoping it will mate w/ my Shure SE535 properly.
 
Dec 9, 2012 at 2:40 PM Post #767 of 9,165
jipod said:
I'm curious per your experience w/ the Cowon J3 and sensitive IEMs. I am pondering the purchase of a Cowon J3 hoping it will mate w/ my Shure SE535 properly.
Click to expand...

There's a thread about the Cowon J3 in this section of the forums,...please post a question about it in that thread.
 
Dec 9, 2012 at 2:43 PM Post #768 of 9,165
Quote:
jipod said:
I'm curious per your experience w/ the Cowon J3 and sensitive IEMs. I am pondering the purchase of a Cowon J3 hoping it will mate w/ my Shure SE535 properly.
Click to expand...

 
At least from what I saw one cowon model had around 2 ohm output impedance. I'm not sure if that is for all their models though. If so look elsewhere as it won't do your Shures any favor.
 
Dec 10, 2012 at 8:28 AM Post #770 of 9,165
lee730 said:
At least from what I saw one cowon model had around 2 ohm output impedance. I'm not sure if that is for all their models though. If so look elsewhere as it won't do your Shures any favor.
Click to expand...


Why exactly?
 
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:26 PM Post #773 of 9,165
Quote:
lee730 said:
Generally for Sensitive IEMs (especially BA) it is best to have less than 1 ohm output impedance.
Click to expand...

 
From what I understand, it's an 8:1 rule. That is, output impedance should be 1/8 the impedance on the monitors. So a 2 ohm output impedance is OK with anything from 16 ohm on up. Those IEMs are over 30-ohm. The 1 ohm rule is, again this is my understanding, because a lot of IEMs are really low, some are lower than 10 ohm, so the lower you go, the better off you are. But 2 ohm will work fine with a lot if IEMs.
 
Dec 10, 2012 at 8:44 PM Post #774 of 9,165
Yesterday 3 Of us done The audition between Ak 100 vs dx 100

Source : ak 100
Dx 100
Dac : Ibasso dB 1
Amp : Alo Rx 3 B
Cable : mini to mini For set Up A
Optical For set Up B
Headphone : LCD 2 rev 1

Direct ak 100 vs dx 100 :
Dx 100 Sound Quality Better In term of more Power

Set Up A
Source : Ibasso dx 100 or AK 100
Amp : Alo Rx 100
Cable : mini to mini

High :
Ak 100 more detail , very clean High and Better trancient than dx 100

Mid :
Ak 100 more Clear and clean midrange than dx 100

Bass
Ak 100 has Better detail and Better bass Quality than dx 100
Dx 100 has Better bass quantity .

Separation :
Ak 100 has Better separation and clarity than dx 100

Sounstage :
Ak 100 has Better soundstage , Better Depth as well than dx 100

Set Up B
Source : dx 100 or ak 100
Dac : Ibasso DB 1
Amp : Alo Rx 3 B
Cable : optical

Overall impression like set Up A

Ak 100 as transport or dap with amp , Sound Quality ak 100 is Better than dx 100
One of The best dap in term of clarity

This is our personal impression
After This audition , 3 of us Bought ak 100 Home :D

 
Dec 10, 2012 at 8:48 PM Post #775 of 9,165
​
Ak 100 With The latest firm ware 1,20 on 10 of Dec 2012 has Sound Quality improvement

Direct With fit ear 334 Sound very good and very Black background , very dead silent noise .:D
 
Dec 10, 2012 at 9:46 PM Post #776 of 9,165
Using a seperate amp takes it's main issue out of the equation.
bigsmile_face.gif
it also makes it an inconvenient, fat 2 piece brick. fw update still won't change it's stand alone output impedance.
mad.gif
 Nice to know it's that good as transport.
 
Dec 10, 2012 at 9:48 PM Post #777 of 9,165
Quote:
goodvibes said:
Using a seperate amp takes it's main issue out of the equation.
bigsmile_face.gif
it also makes it an inconvenient brick.
mad.gif
Click to expand...

But isn't that the audiophile thing to do? 
rolleyes.gif

 
Dec 10, 2012 at 10:05 PM Post #778 of 9,165
Dec 10, 2012 at 10:09 PM Post #780 of 9,165
Only because it's needed here as in sound before convenience. The true audiophile thing to do is finally make a hardware based thing in one box that gets it all pretty right so it actually gets used a lot for it's intended portable purpose. Once it gets too fat, portability goes out the door. A vg amp stage shouldn't be that hard to incorporate but they're remarkably rare. In something like this a seperate low output impedance non class D amp chip that doesn't need output coupling caps should be do-able.
 
If the previous posts are accurate, it deserves it's props but it's priced and configured to be complete as is.
 
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