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REVIEW: Astell & Kern AK240
Mar 5, 2014 at 4:07 PM Post #76 of 109
Quote:
 
dminor said:
  If the AK240 can strike a truly neutral and transparent sounding with authority power, then you got a winner all-in-one piece dap. With transparency, everything else takes care of itself. It's really that simple. Some people like colored sounding, but I hate it.
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Then you'll love this!  Which means trouble because it is not a paltry expenditure.
 
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The cost is really not a concern to me as I always believe quality deserves a premium, if the AK240 can live up to that quality.
 
My problem is finding the reason to justify a purchase even for $1K as my current gear just sounds right to my ears. I guess I am just dumb lucky.
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Mar 5, 2014 at 6:59 PM Post #77 of 109
dminor said:
Quote:
 
The cost is really not a concern to me as I always believe quality deserves a premium, if the AK240 can live up to that quality.
 
My problem is finding the reason to justify a purchase even for $1K as my current gear just sounds right to my ears. I guess I am just dumb lucky.
wink_face.gif
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I like to be dumb lucky too. :wink:

Astell&Kern is the Ferrari of DAPs. If you can afford the AK240, there is nothing else better right now.
 
Mar 5, 2014 at 8:29 PM Post #78 of 109
hifiguy528 said:
I like to be dumb lucky too.
wink.gif


Astell&Kern is the Ferrari of DAPs. If you can afford the AK240, there is nothing else better right now.
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I am not sold on anything (cheap or expensive) until I audition it myself, as we know this hobby comes down to personal sound preference.
 
But I like the impressions I have read from OP that the AK240 is neutral and transparent, and that's the only thing I care about a dap knowing this is what I have with mine and I truly appreciate that quality.
 
Mar 6, 2014 at 7:45 AM Post #79 of 109
ariesq said:
 
warrenpchi said:
  I'll have to get back to you on that as I haven't received the upgraded PSU yet.  I'll AB as soon as it gets here and let you know. 
smile.gif
  Any preference as to the stock Sovtek tubes or the Electro Harmonix upgrade tubes?
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I haven't heard the upgraded PSU yet either, but I had originally planned to pick it up when it was released. How about a comparison against WA7 + EH Gold pin tubes vs AK240 (alone) using LCD-XC.
 
Much appreciated =)
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No problem at all! 
smile.gif
  I've been lusting after that new PSU for like 5 months now, ever since I heard the prototype at CanJam.  That's an easy buy for me, as there is simply nothing I can add to my rig - for that low an amount of money - that will make as great a difference.
 
dminor said:
  The cost is really not a concern to me as I always believe quality deserves a premium, if the AK240 can live up to that quality.
 
My problem is finding the reason to justify a purchase even for $1K as my current gear just sounds right to my ears. I guess I am just dumb lucky.
wink_face.gif

 
I am not sold on anything (cheap or expensive) until I audition it myself, as we know this hobby comes down to personal sound preference.
 
But I like the impressions I have read from OP that the AK240 is neutral and transparent, and that's the only thing I care about a dap knowing this is what I have with mine and I truly appreciate that quality.
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Are you going to be anywhere near a meet or show soon?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it after auditioning it. 
smile.gif

 
hifiguy528 said:
I like to be dumb lucky too.
wink.gif
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Says the man who just found his new reference amp by a sheer stroke of luck. 
wink_face.gif

 
Mar 6, 2014 at 12:32 PM Post #80 of 109
Originally Posted by warrenpchi /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Are you going to be anywhere near a meet or show soon?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it after auditioning it. 
smile.gif
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I would love to but sadly none in my area as far as I know.
 
Mar 9, 2014 at 9:03 PM Post #81 of 109
Great review guys!
 
You have really made it hard to choose what type of DAP I should get.  Since this will be my first DAP and I'm still working my music library converting over to FLAC, I could use a little help.   I think it's between the AK 240 and Calyx M, but I'm not sure which one to pick.  I'm still waiting (been waiting since Dec 5) for my Roxanne's so I just want something to pair with them. Now I know no one has really listen to the Calyx M, and on paper it looks amazing.  I guess my question would be should I wait for the Calyx M or should I get the AK 240?  Also, does anyone else have a pair of Roxanne's with the AK 240 and if so what do you think?
 
Cheers
 
Mar 9, 2014 at 9:20 PM Post #82 of 109
As one who couldn't believe anything can be better than AK120, AK240 turns out to be much better.

I haven't heard Calyx M, but similarly, I can't believe anything can be better than AK240. (see my problem yet? :))
 
Mar 9, 2014 at 11:31 PM Post #83 of 109
Thanks!
 
LOL, I honestly can't say guys... because at this moment I have absolutely no experience with the Calyx M at all.  Anything comparative I say would be totally pulled out of my ass and completely meaningless.
 
That said, and looking at the AK240 in isolation, I have no problems recommending it.  It's current capabilities are compelling enough for me, and I'm expecting even more via firmware updates in the future.  As for the price, I had thought it would be a pretty big deal breaker for some.  But pretty much every owner and reviewer I know of - after having spent time with it - seems to forget all about that.  In fact, I'm a little surprised at how consistent impressions have been.
 
Mar 10, 2014 at 9:02 AM Post #85 of 109
The more I use my Roxane, the more I like them ( with RWAK100+TU-05 Amp).  
Even from my simple RWAK100 alone, I hear in my music things (new instruments, echo...) that I did not hear before, EVEN WITH MY TH900 !!
 
So, this put pressure on my to "upgrade" my source RWAK100. But... I do not want to plunge for the AK240 until I hear comparaison between the AK240 and the Caly-M....  Ahhh....
 
So:   Calyx ?  AK240 ? My RWAK100+HUGO ?  ...... boy our hobby is complicated :)
 
 
--> Has someone again tested the AK240 + Roxane ?  Do they pair Well ?  
 
--> And has someone tested if Roxane BALANCED with AK240 improve the SQ even further ?
 
Mar 10, 2014 at 4:19 PM Post #88 of 109
kh600rr said:
Anyone tried IE800's with the AK-240? My AK will be here tomorrow , been using the X-3.
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I have arranged to get a pair of IE800. It's not an easy IEM to get for review.
 
Mar 10, 2014 at 4:46 PM Post #89 of 109
So I got the guys at Moon Audio make me a Black Dragon V2 Premium HD800 Cable, with a adapter for the balanced out on the AK. The price I found for a balanced IE-800 cable was out of this world, like $1200.
 
Mar 10, 2014 at 5:20 PM Post #90 of 109
kh600rr said:
So I got the guys at Moon Audio make me a Black Dragon V2 Premium HD800 Cable, with a adapter for the balanced out on the AK. The price I found for a balanced IE-800 cable was out of this world, like $1200.
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1200$ just for the cable? Loos a bit over the top...ALO audio's price is about that one, but you don't get just the cable, you get the IE800 as well!
 
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