[flymetothemoon]

Here's another quick pic.  Love this combo!

Excellent pic

 

[warrenpchi]

That's really amazing. Is the build quality the same, as in durability of the Ak100ii or 120ii? I would like, if I did purchase another DAP, for it to be durable, I'd like to use it for the gym, for walking outside, etc. I am not fond of the look of the 240 but either ak100ii or ak120ii are both beautiful.

 
Both are pretty close to the AK240... as both are machined from a solid block of aluminum.  The only major difference that I can see is the use of carbon fiber on the back of the AK240, versus something other than that for the AK100II and AK120II.  Still, I don't imagine that the carbon fiber makes THAT much of a difference.  So assuming that the internals are assembled similarly well, then yeah, the durability should be roughly on par as well.
 
They certainly feel as solid as the AK240... though I can't be absolutely sure because our resident drop tester (a.k.a. klutz) HiFiGuy528 hasn't gotten a hold of them yet.

 

 

You mean like a beater audiophile DAP?  Simply for the fact that it costs much less, I'd award the AK120II that role.  However, I would like to point out that the AK240 we tested and reviewed is one tough SOB.  It stood up to multiple drops, and I challenged anyone and everyone to find even so much as a mark on it.  They - including Amos - could not.

Yea, a beater DAP, I like that. I love my new ak240, but I would hate to have a $2500 mistake or accident. Not that $1700 one is ok but it is less. Thanks.

Jim

 
Lol, now that I think about it... if it's for biking, the gym, etc., then the AK100II would serve well too.  I think, given the ambient noise and the noises inherent to those activities, the SQ improvement to be had from going to the AK120II or AK240 would be masked.
 

Only on head-fi would a $1700 DAP be considered a "beater"... Lol, this place and most of us are nuts.

 

 

  Here's another quick pic.  Love this combo!
 

 
How many drops so far? 

 

[warrior1975]

That's important to me... I'm a bit of a klutz as well... Lol.

 

[Ultrainferno]

I'm pretty sure the difference is the 240 is made out of aircraft grade duralumin and the 120ii is "normal" aluminum. i haven't dropped either of them. Yet.

 

[M Coupe]

Could you imagine what an otter box or life box might look like for one of these players?    
 
Seriously, the AK Products look so nice, I wish even the leather case was not needed.  Great black and white photo btw.

 

[NawiLlih]

  Here's another quick pic.  Love this combo!
 

 
Any chance of making this into a wallpaper? This would look lovely on my monitor Pleeeaaase

 

[warrenpchi]

  I'm pretty sure the difference is the 240 is made out of aircraft grade duralumin and the 120ii is "normal" aluminum. i haven't dropped either of them. Yet.

 
Lol, yup.  We made a little joke about that in our review. 

 

  I wish even the leather case was not needed.

 
Actually, it's not. 

  The unit we reviewed didn't have an accompanying case (it was way in advance of the nicely boxed units).  Multiple drops and not a scratch on it.
 

---

 
In case y'all don't know what review I'm talking about:  http://www.head-fi.org/t/707432/review-astell-kern-ak240

 

[dleblanc343]

New canadian distributor getting A&K in this fall. I can't wait to get my hands on the AK120 II now 

 

[asintado08]

Newbie question: 

Does the AK100 II Optical Out bypass its internal amp? I am planning to attached it a Bottlehead Crack and I want the internal amp to by bypassed. 

 

[HiFiGuy528]

   
Any chance of making this into a wallpaper? This would look lovely on my monitor Pleeeaaase

 
Thank you for liking my pic.  
 
dropbox link:  https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/318362/Photos/_MG_4484.JPG

 

[SDBiotek]

Newbie question: 
You will need an external DAC to convert the digital signal to an analog signal that your amp can use.

Does the AK100 II Optical Out bypass its internal amp? I am planning to attached it a Bottlehead Crack and I want the internal amp to by bypassed. 

 

[flymetothemoon]

   
Both are pretty close to the AK240... as both are machined from a solid block of aluminum.  The only major difference that I can see is the use of carbon fiber on the back of the AK240, versus something other than that for the AK100II and AK120II.  Still, I don't imagine that the carbon fiber makes THAT much of a difference.  So assuming that the internals are assembled similarly well, then yeah, the durability should be roughly on par as well.
 
They certainly feel as solid as the AK240... though I can't be absolutely sure because our resident drop tester (a.k.a. klutz) HiFiGuy528 hasn't gotten a hold of them yet.

 
 
Lol, now that I think about it... if it's for biking, the gym, etc., then the AK100II would serve well too.  I think, given the ambient noise and the noises inherent to those activities, the SQ improvement to be had from going to the AK120II or AK240 would be masked.
 
 

 
 
How many drops so far? 

In fact the carbon fiber contributes nothing to the DAP's performance and is a piece of cosmetic.
 
You are very right that for physical activities any DAPs will do the job as music is just become a background while your breathing might even more noisier than the music LOL. 

 

[flymetothemoon]

  Newbie question: 

Does the AK100 II Optical Out bypass its internal amp? I am planning to attached it a Bottlehead Crack and I want the internal amp to by bypassed. 

I'm brave enough to say yes.  

 

[Audiowood]

Thank you for liking my pic.  

dropbox link:  https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/318362/Photos/_MG_4484.JPG

The best shot of ak120ii I have ever seen taken so far. Are u a professional photographer? It's so well taken, makes me want to own it right now.

 

[flymetothemoon]

New canadian distributor getting A&K in this fall. I can't wait to get my hands on the AK120 II now 

 


Too bad the Canadian markets have been put into low priority by a lot of marketers.