[lawshredpower]

Yes a dock for dap would be perfect!

The AK380 cradle is still super cool and useful.

But imagine this:

An universal AK dock for every AK DAP compatible (380, a&ultima, etc) with an extra beefy amp, ah that would be the dream.

 

[purk]

It's nice that they it use ES9068AS again, because 9038Pro in Kann Cube drain battery way too fast.

I mean why not go big with the 9038? It’s a flagship amp/DAC right in a portable form.

 

[vonBaron]

Becouse u drain battery 50% faster?

 

[Nostoi]

Becouse u drain battery 50% faster?

From the marketing images, the unit looks rather stationary to me. And indeed I can see the benefit as a bedside or office unit - i.e., a 2nd unit that one carries when travelling, almost mini-desktop style. I would assume (maybe I'm wrong) it's primary use is to be used from an external power supply alongside transportable battery powered use?

 

[purk]

Becouse u drain battery 50% faster?

Yes, but what we all want is to maximize the sound quality. I am sure that AK are able to utilize better components to make the amp sound better given the extra room inside the chassis, but they really should utilize the top ESS chip for even better sound. The FiiO M17 is able to do it. The size of the unit is likely too big to be a true portable anyway. I look at this as a transportable device.

 

[vonBaron]

I'm not sure than "higher dac chip" = better sound. Implementation is key.

 

[purk]

I'm not sure than "higher dac chip" = better sound. Implementation is key.

Agreed here. But if the analog output stage and the amp boards are the same then a top flight DAC chip from the same company should produce better sound. Just my 0.2 cents. I am sure that this unit will sound very very good. I am just curious why AK didn’t opt to produce one with the ESS9038 chip…..or we should wait for higher end version of this transportable amp from AK at a higher price point?

 

[Alexzander]

It's nice that they it use ES9068AS again, because 9038Pro in Kann Cube drain battery way too fast.

Don’t think so. ES9068AS sounded worse to my ears than 9038 or top Akasi chips.
It was one of the reasons why I bought SP2K and sold SP2KT.

 

[OuYang]

Web Page

According to the weg page, CA1000 also have Digital Out as "Optical(3.5mm) x1, USB(Type-C) x1", right?

 

[vonBaron]

I forgot to add that if someone has a good USB converter, they will get even better sound through the CA1000 coaxial input.

 

[Dietmar Görtz]

Is the Qobuz app pre-installed?
Like the SP2000T?

 

[chronograf86]

Does anyone know when we can expect first impressions from some reviewers?

 

[Sharppain]

Sooo boutique, and not better than Hiby RS6. And for that money you may buy UM Mest and Mytek Liberty II ...

 

[LegioSeptimo]

Don’t think so. ES9068AS sounded worse to my ears than 9038 or top Akasi chips.
It was one of the reasons why I bought SP2K and sold SP2KT.

That has been my same path. Sell the SP2KT and buy the SP2K. For me, better sound, greater reliability.
Certainly older, maybe it will be obsolete sooner but today it seems like the best A&K DAP.
I hope that when they renew it they will overcome the errors of the SP2KT

 

[audionewbi]

ACRO family serves a different purpose than the other family of AK product. No one has heard it, yet we are judging it.