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The Astell & Kern AK240
Jan 17, 2014 at 10:18 AM Post #976 of 9,131
ok-guy said:
   
Hi Steph... I think that the ZX1/Hugo combo as very portable, let me explain... when you're used to carrying a small shoulder bag with a 'stack' (Z1070/Neco V3 amp), I really don't see any difference with the ZX1/Hugo combo... most on Head-Fi have portable stacks so saying there's a difference between 'portable & transportable' is just a matter of choice & convenience, I do not have a problem with carrying a shoulder-bag because it almost habit now (at the mo I pair my ZX1/F887-PHA-2 amp).
 
here's a question for you if I may... seeing as the design of the AK240 makes it hardly pocketable (unlike my Walkman's) and the DAC's inside are not as good as the AK120(?) but you have more storage... what would you deem as a fair price?... please bare in mind that people are  'trading down' to the ZX1 because it is said that this DAP out performs the AK120.
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Hi,
 
I still don't think they should be considered in the same category, maybe it's just my opinion. I think it's a little early to discuss the sound quality or state that the DAC chips inside are inferior to those used in the AK120 or any other device for that matter. I think we'll both agree that sound out of any DAC is determined by the implementation of the DAC chips, not the type/make used. Regarding the size, the device is very pocketable - it's only marginally thicker, and 18mm longer in length than an AK120. This I believe is still a lot more pocketable than many stacks people carry around.
 
Ultimately i'll have control and final decision for UK pricing, i'm trying my very best to make it fair and relative to the international market value whilst maintaining a sensible margin for the dealers. 
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 10:27 AM Post #977 of 9,131
steph86 said:
  Hi,
 
I still don't think they should be considered in the same category, maybe it's just my opinion. I think it's a little early to discuss the sound quality or state that the DAC chips inside are inferior to those used in the AK120 or any other device for that matter. I think we'll both agree that sound out of any DAC is determined by the implementation of the DAC chips, not the type/make used. Regarding the size, the device is very pocketable - it's only marginally thicker, and 18mm longer in length than an AK120. This I believe is still a lot more pocketable than many stacks people carry around.
 
Ultimately i'll have control and final decision for UK pricing, i'm trying my very best to make it fair and relative to the international market value whilst maintaining a sensible margin for the dealers. 
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And what would you expect pricing to be in Australia...? Any idea ? Or at least a ball park figure. I think the problem with the speculated pricing is that no one has heard it yet. Still it would need to be a big step up from previous offerings to warrant the price. If early reports that it doesn't sound as good as the HiFiMan 901 are true then you obviously have some problems. If it trumps players of that level then i guess that is some justification...
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 10:57 AM Post #978 of 9,131
sauntere said:
  And what would you expect pricing to be in Australia...? Any idea ? Or at least a ball park figure. I think the problem with the speculated pricing is that no one has heard it yet. Still it would need to be a big step up from previous offerings to warrant the price. If early reports that it doesn't sound as good as the HiFiMan 901 are true then you obviously have some problems. If it trumps players of that level then i guess that is some justification...
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Hi - unfortunately I won't be able to comment on proposed pricing for Australia.
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 11:30 AM Post #979 of 9,131
steph86 said:
  Ultimately i'll have control and final decision for UK pricing, i'm trying my very best to make it fair and relative to the international market value whilst maintaining a sensible margin for the dealers. 
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do you consider the price of the AK120 a bargain in the UK... and a ball-park figure for the AK240 would be nice to know... are we looking at £2-2.5K?
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 11:43 AM Post #980 of 9,131
ok-guy said:
   
do you consider the price of the AK120 a bargain in the UK... and a ball-park figure for the AK240 would be nice to know... are we looking at £2-2.5K?
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Hi,
 
Yes that's correct within that region. I'm not here to discuss the justification of price point, this with anything being sold is relative to what the purchaser of the goods values them at. If you don't think the unit is worth its asking price then there are other alternatives on the market for your consideration.
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 12:13 PM Post #981 of 9,131
steph86 said:
Hi,

Yes that's correct within that region. I'm not here to discuss the justification of price point, this with anything being sold is relative to what the purchaser of the goods values them at. If you don't think the unit is worth its asking price then there are other alternatives on the market for your consideration.
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Well put! I repeat what I have said on this forum a number of times. Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it! If your not willing as Steph says, there are other, cheaper products put there you can buy!
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 12:33 PM Post #982 of 9,131
steph86 said:
  Hi,
 
Yes that's correct within that region. I'm not here to discuss the justification of price point, this with anything being sold is relative to what the purchaser of the goods values them at. If you don't think the unit is worth its asking price then there are other alternatives on the market for your consideration.
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why I appreciate your sentiments & comments the price is a tad extreme compared to products that will give you superior performance for way less.... the ZX1 (£500) & Chord Hugo (£1200) combo will not only give you better options but will probably give you a way better sound-quality as well.
 
obviously this is my personal opinion but Chord Electronics (a true Hi-End manufacturer) wouldn't be entering this market with a sub-standard product... paired with the ZX1 (fastest selling DAP in Japan, from the masters of portability) one looks forward to exceptional music playback on the go.
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 12:44 PM Post #983 of 9,131
If your going for the HUGO why would you waste money on the Sony? Why not get something cheaper as if your listening away from the Hugo is casual and in noisy environments the sound quality differences if your not listening intently won't matter while out and about as much. I think that is what I would do if I wanted to go back to carrying around a lot of gear. I must admit I lived with it with my CLAS/Classic/SR71-B rig but since going to the 120 I much prefer out and about carrying just one small box and a pair of headphones. When I get home and plug in my better phones and TU-05 I can revel more in the sound quality offered but I realized when I listen out and about the music becomes more background whilst I work, just a thought. I am a huge fan of Chord and want to listen to the Hugo as soon as my local dealer gets one in, have always loved the sound their DAC's make
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 1:04 PM Post #984 of 9,131
ianmedium said:
If your going for the HUGO why would you waste money on the Sony? Why not get something cheaper as if your listening away from the Hugo is casual and in noisy environments the sound quality differences if your not listening intently won't matter while out and about as much. I think that is what I would do if I wanted to go back to carrying around a lot of gear. I must admit I lived with it with my CLAS/Classic/SR71-B rig but since going to the 120 I much prefer out and about carrying just one small box and a pair of headphones. When I get home and plug in my better phones and TU-05 I can revel more in the sound quality offered but I realized when I listen out and about the music becomes more background whilst I work, just a thought. I am a huge fan of Chord and want to listen to the Hugo as soon as my local dealer gets one in, have always loved the sound their DAC's make
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Ianmedium is right, now what we need to go with the HUGO is a Mini-battery operated-Music server ! 
 
Indeed, there is NO real perfect portable source for it:  We need a DAP with BIG Storage, Best UI, but WITHOUT DAP/AMP.   Some sort of portable nano-Aurender. 
biggrin.gif
 
 
 
 
Too bad that this does not exist.
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--> I dream of a mini thick tablet that will have 512 Gb SSD/NAD on board, a glorious (iTune or Aurender-iPAD like) interface, and  ToskLink/Coax  Digital out. And...  with the same form factor than the HUGO so that it can stack  on top of HUGO perfectly.... and be connected to my Super-desktop DAC/AMP when I come back home.
 
 
 
M. CHORD, think about it pleassssee !
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 1:20 PM Post #985 of 9,131
ianmedium said:
If your going for the HUGO why would you waste money on the Sony?
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in short my Z1070 imo was better than the AK120 in direct comparison so I upgraded to the ZX1 (& F887/PHA-2)... the PHA-2 showed me what I could expect from a DAC/Amp connected to my PC so I decided to investigate further as I was already in touch with Chord with regard to the QuteEX. They informed me of the upcoming Hugo and things have progressed from there.
 
why should I get something cheaper when I'm after quality without having to rely on firmware updates, re-tagging music or the like... some people are prepared to put up with that malarkey, I'm not one as I expect things to work out of the box.
 
Jan 17, 2014 at 1:41 PM Post #986 of 9,131
Anyone has the MQS Vol. 1 of Astell&Kern - http://shop.iriverinc.com/index.php/astell-kern/astell-kern-mqs-selection-vol-1.html
that they are interested in trading with either Vol. 3 - Bon Jovi or Vol. 4 - Jason Mraz ?
 
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