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The Astell & Kern AK120
May 20, 2013 at 5:12 PM Post #466 of 7,071
Quote:
gsarider said:
Why not just build something from scratch or use a cheaper player to mod, as it seems to be a lot of expense buying a $1500 player and then replacing the DAC's an looking at external amps, etc?
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+2
 
Should be audio nirvana, out of the box....
 
May 20, 2013 at 5:39 PM Post #467 of 7,071
bmichels said:
Vinnie from RedWineAudio (RWA) has some very interesting ideas as "Super-MODs" for the AK100 & AK120, including changing the DAC Chip WM8740 for the much better WM8741 ! 
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He is explaining this and posted a poll HERE to understand what we would like him to do exactly.  
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and the Mod Price suggestion IS ...? :wink:
 
May 20, 2013 at 6:14 PM Post #468 of 7,071
Quote:
and the Mod Price suggestion IS ...? :wink:
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Only $4995 
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Seriously - I don't know yet and I can't post info and pricing here as it is against the rules and I don't want to be banned.  You
know how to contact me (I hope) if you have questions.  Thanks for your understanding.
 
May 21, 2013 at 1:01 AM Post #469 of 7,071
Quote:
gsarider said:
Why not just build something from scratch or use a cheaper player to mod, as it seems to be a lot of expense buying a $1500 player and then replacing the DAC's an looking at external amps, etc?
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Not to mention the obvious here but. Why in hell does a 1500 dollar player NEED mods in the first place?
 
I have to buy this thing, wait for them to grace me with firmware mods to bring it up to the inital spec promised THEN have the damn thing modded.
 
Can you say "rushed to market"
 
May 21, 2013 at 5:51 AM Post #470 of 7,071

Truly surprised how small it is!! Wow..It looks beautiful~.
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Love they include everything in it. Even extra back and screen covers:wink:
 
May 21, 2013 at 6:21 AM Post #473 of 7,071
Quote:
lee730 said:
 
Now get to the good part! How does it sound!? :).... Looking forward to comparisons between your 901 and which you prefer.
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I will. :) Let me get my brain burned in first
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. Out of the box, it sounds on the lush side of neutral.
 
May 21, 2013 at 6:22 AM Post #474 of 7,071
Quote:
audionewbi said:
congrats, the packaging looks a lot different than the AK100.
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I was wondering how small can ak100 be...ak120 is such a tiny thing.
 
May 21, 2013 at 6:29 AM Post #475 of 7,071
I was told that the Ak120 amp section requires 120 hours of usage to sound their, I really hope to see your review on it. It is up to you guys who have the AK120 to produce the most objective review there is as it will be months before they are shipped to their global retailers let alone the market slowly open up to them.
 
I for one hope it will be the DAP to rule them all. If it pairs well with the F111, CK100pro and EX-1000 I will be truly happy and can live with this without any upgrade till next year. I really hate spending money trying to find the best source, I've got really tried and wasted a lot of cash just for this process. Hopefully this will be it!
Quote:
tupac0306 said:
I was wondering how small can ak100 be...ak120 is such a tiny thing.
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May 21, 2013 at 7:01 AM Post #476 of 7,071
hutnicks said:
Not to mention the obvious here but. Why in hell does a 1500 dollar player NEED mods in the first place?

I have to buy this thing, wait for them to grace me with firmware mods to bring it up to the inital spec promised THEN have the damn thing modded.

Can you say "rushed to market"
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No, AK120 doesn't need and don't really have any planned mod as a DAP. I believe the idea/service RWA is soliciting here is to change the PO to a LO for it to be the best transport .... the AK120 is far from "rushed" but is a rather polished product from hardware build quality to firmware stability and operability.
 
May 21, 2013 at 7:08 AM Post #477 of 7,071

I wasn't expecting this at all. But ak120 can drive LCD 3 better than dx100 (high gain)! I know this is like a joke. At least it can still maintain its sound signature :wink:
 
May 21, 2013 at 7:09 AM Post #478 of 7,071
audionewbi said:
I was told that the Ak120 amp section requires 120 hours of usage to sound their, I really hope to see your review on it. It is up to you guys who have the AK120 to produce the most objective review there is as it will be months before they are shipped to their global retailers let alone the market slowly open up to them.

I for one hope it will be the DAP to rule them all. If it pairs well with the F111, CK100pro and EX-1000 I will be truly happy and can leave with this without any upgrade till next year. I really hate spending money trying to find the best source, I've got really tried and wasted a lot of cash just for this process. Hopefully this will be it!
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I can feel for you as it seems we had been on the same journey... .I'm still only at around 50 hrs but I'm absolutely loving it from hour zero and didn't experience any drastic change in the sound.

If really pushed to identify any change I would say it sounded less warm and more airy but it maybe due to the different tracks I had been listening to or placebo...

Very happy with the AK120+TG334 combo and I hope it will work as well for you!
 
May 21, 2013 at 7:19 AM Post #480 of 7,071
Quote:
kkcc said:
I can feel for you as it seems we had been on the same journey... .I'm still only at around 50 hrs but I'm absolutely loving it from hour zero and didn't experience any drastic change in the sound.

If really pushed to identify any change I would say it sounded less warm and more airy but it maybe due to the different tracks I had been listening to or placebo...

Very happy with the AK120+TG334 combo and I hope it will work as well for you!
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I am glad to hear this.
 
I need to point out one thing that the iriver customer service have been very polite and helpful with my endless harsh and at times marginally rude feedbacks. I know one thing that no matter what I am certain that if I ever develop any issues with their products I know I will be getting one of the best after market support there might be. 

I guess this is a relief for us considering the last thing one needs for purchases of products of this price point.
 
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