[fumoffuXx]

I see no evil i speak no evil.

 

[AnakChan]

Here's another pix of the AK320 :-

(More pix here esp comparison to the AK380: http://www.phileweb.com/sp/news/d-av/201511/24/37792.html)



I have to say that I like the volume designed over the current AK380/240.

 

[Torq]

Seems its up on the AK site in it's full "glory" ... AK320 ...
 
Big changes, compared to the 380, seem to be elimination of native DSD-playback (it's handled through PCM conversion), a different volume control, half the internal storage and only usable to 24/96 as a USB-DAC (guessing that's a mistake).
 
Still only one microSD slot and still 2 ohms on the SE headphone output, so still useless to me.

 

[AnakChan]

Some folks would care and some wouldn't but it seems it doesn't play DSD native but downconverts to PCM. Similarly if one had a 384kHz PCM it'll convert down to 192kHz. And of course memory is less at 128GB.

The one thing though I hope that folks here understand that just because a DAC is DSD capable doesn't mean that the whole DAP is DSD capable. I've mentioned a few times over the past 2 years that it's more than just the DAC, but the (clocking?) circuitry around it that determines if the whole DAP plays DSD native or not.

 

[Mimouille]

The key question: if you don't use DSD, is it supposed to sound strictly the same?

 

[Mimouille]

Reply from Alex An on FB:
 
 

 

[Eroica4th]

First ak380 did not support dsd 256 then with simple update (firmware) we can play dsd 265 natively. Which means that it was essentially embedded since the release but for some reasons, which I quite don't understand, they did not let us know. Since no way for a software update to permit native dsd playback without modifying/upgrading the hardware. And now with this unit which share the same chip with the ak380, I don't see a reason to the limitation of native dsd. Neither I see a reason for this unit to exist. Perhaps, to increase the radius of usage of the amp and the cradle with very reasonable dap price?

 

[joshuachew]

Any pricing information?

 

[Mimouille]

I really don't understand AK's management of their product range. It seems as if they are just making things up as they go. Where does this product leave the AK120ii? The AK240?

 

[joshuachew]

  I really don't understand AK's management of their product range. It seems as if they are just making things up as they go. Where does this product leave the AK120ii? The AK240?

Agreed. 

 

[MrBucket]

It does seem like an odd selection of features.  I'd probably trade my AK240 in for one if it had 256gb of storage, that bit I really don't understand.  

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

I really don't understand AK's management of their product range. It seems as if they are just making things up as they go. Where does this product leave the AK120ii? The AK240?

Similar to smartphone market, just keep releasing new models and eventually there are people will buy it bcos its the right time and at the right price. Keep people interested in their products. There will be people who think the tech will trickle down from the current flagship (maybe last for 9 months). The marketing guy is just full of cr-ap (part of his job), most likely it will sound the same as 380 with PCM.

 

[Eroica4th]

Having tried both ak240ss and Layla. I think I have made up my mind to quit dealing with this group. My own experiment is sufficient to convince myself that they are indeed ahole. There are other costumers whose producta did not suffer from any defects. But I'm way skeptical with what they say.

 

[my-2000]

Am I the only one who thinks AK240 appears to be better than AK320? Will find out more about AK320 tonight.

 

[fenom60]

I am going to the AK HK club dinner tonight with Alex An. Hope to hear the Ak320 tonight =)