[JasonNYC]

Astell&Kern Launches Its First Carriable Headphone Amp, the ACRO CA1000

The CA1000 Is the Latest Device in Astell&Kern’s Line of Desktop/Home Audio Products​

​

Astell&Kern, a global leader in hi-resolution audio products and accessories, expands the ACRO desktop/home audio product line with the release of their first carriable headphone amplifier, the ACRO CA1000. The CA1000 will be available in late January/early February 2022 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide.

The ACRO CA1000 is a headphone amplifier that combines the functions of a high-performance amplifier and the portability of a Digital Audio Player. The ACRO CA1000 is equipped with an 8,400mAh large-capacity battery to provide clear, distortion-free premium sound without the need for a separate power connection. Support for USB-PD 2.0 charging allows the ACRO CA1000 to charge to 50% in one hour, and fully charge in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The CA1000 can also charge and be used when plugged into AC power.

The Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 is equipped with four ES9068AS DACs, providing perfect decoding capabilities with Astell&Kern's amplifier circuit technology. Bit-to-bit playback is possible up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD512 (22.4MHz), so even the smallest details the artist wanted to express in the music can be heard without distortion.

The ACRO CA1000 features a variety of outputs that can be used by everyone from general users to audiophiles. 3.5mm, 6.35mm Unbalanced, 2.5mm and 4.4mm Balanced output jacks are available to accommodate a variety of headphones/earphones. The ACRO CA1000 can be used as a Hi-Fi audio system by connecting devices using a variety of digital inputs/output (Optical, Coaxial, Type-C USB) and analog inputs/outputs (RCA). All Input/output settings can be easily and conveniently selected using the CA1000 touch screen.

To perfectly drive the most sophisticated headphones, a device must be able to fully deliver output that matches the characteristics of the headphone. The ACRO CA1000 supports four (4) levels of gain settings so that almost any existing headphones can be driven to an optimal state. The gain setting circuitry implemented in the CA1000 can drive even high-impedance headphones without degrading the sound quality using a max output of 15Vrms.

The Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 will be available in late January/early February 2022 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide. Pricing and additional specs will be available soon.

 

[kel77]

Wished that it was just a dock. The included player get outdated quickly due to the OS.

 

[NPWS]

waiting for the MSRP released
is it true it'll cost $2100 ?
ACRO CA1000

 

[audionewbi]

Well done!

 

[riverground]

waiting for the MSRP released
is it true it'll cost $2100 ?
ACRO CA1000

That’s what it says on the website.

I guess having used ESS DACs made it more obtainable.

Hoping it’s able to somewhat compete with the DMP-Z1/M30 for far less in pricing.

 

[vonBaron]

I had the opportunity to listen to this great thing, I believe that there is no competition at the given price. It sounds much better than Kann Cube, in my opinion it sounds even better than 2KT. It is not that musical or smooth, but technically better. Zero hum, noise, etc. In addition, a large battery lasts for several (dozen) hours of listening. When it comes to power, he drives the HE-6 in the highest gain (there are four, low, normal, high and turbo)! No matter what I connected to it, it caught a very good synergy. A multitude of inputs and outputs can function as DAC, AMP, and DAC / AMP. I only wish it will have DC input but it's ok.

 

[Palpatine79]

Agree. Fantastic device. Clean, power, very good sq, nice stage, nice dynamic, in terms sq better then SP2KT

 

[TheHighlander]

Interesting device. Lets wait for some reviews of this little baby.

 

[lawshredpower]

Should’ve been a dock but looks cool

 

[killaHz]

Huh. This could be the perfect mobile Roon endpoint. If they get around to Roon Ready...

 

[JasonNYC]

Huh. This could be the perfect mobile Roon endpoint. If they get around to Roon Ready...

The CA1000 will be Roon Ready. Expecting Roon Ready certification around release date.

 

[audionewbi]

@JasonNYC can you share any pictures of the PCB board, layout?

 

[jaykap35]

I wonder if it can power hard to drive Monsters like the 1266 phi or the susvara with ease

 

[riverground]

I wonder if it can power hard to drive Monsters like the 1266 phi or the susvara with ease

Depending on how loud you listen to, it should be able to drive the 1266 quite well.

However, it might not be enough for the insanity of hunger the Susvara has for power.

 

[newworld666]

Did I read well ... it's Windows 10 DAP ? or just for usb input ?

Any chance to be able to access full streaming providers and Upnp servers (assuming without any drops and not depending on the local network environment).
As usual, the key point will be the real juice this dap can really provide. .. what is the real power available with a "common" load like 16, 32, 64 ohms ? from my experience with A&K, the Kann Alpha is falling down so fast and increasing THD so much with low sensitivity and low impedance headphones !!!! that it makes almost unusable most of demanding headphones (less than 90db/mw and less than 50 ohms impedance)