[chronograf86]

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

A&K started the thread themself so not sure what we should be discussing here , they can step in anytime and share some additional details or be more active. Also judging is not what we're doing here, I would call it rather evaluation/speculations based on specs.

 

[Sharppain]

A&K started the thread themself so not sure what we should be discussing here , they can step in anytime and share some additional details or be more active. Also judging is not what we're doing here, I would call it rather evaluation/speculations based on specs.

So you want us to read it, be silent and buy it later!? Of course there will be speculations - they do advertising, we do speculating.

 

[chronograf86]

Not really, my bad if it sounded like that. My point was that nobody is judging here anything. Just having casual discussion and crystal ball predictions about sound quality

 

[rocketron]

I wonder if it has a analog pre amp?
So it doesn’t convert the rca inputs and use its own dac?
Hope it’s analog so your can add a turntable.

Dream time.
Will they make a matching power amp that could be bridged or Mono block power amps.
You could use the power amp to drive speakers or hard to drive headphones.

Will they make a matching power conditioner for the power amps?
To make a 4 box unit?

Real dream time
A matching valve input buffer.

You could have a neat little Hifi unit and take the 1000 with you into other rooms of away on holiday?

Also is there a remote control?

 

[sinisacatic]

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.

Congratulation on releasing new product. I would like to comment on product design.

I own Astell& Kern KANN and KANN Cube players. This is a welcome addition to the DAC/Preamp/DAP/Headphone Amp category of products. The most feature packed product in this category is Shanling M30, which costs almost two times more.

Kudos for

• Combining DAC, DAP, Preamp and Headphone Amp in one portable product ;
• Designing battery powered device ;
• Providing slot for micro-usb card ;
• Providing big physical rotary volume knob ;
• Including analog and three digital inputs ;
• Including multiple unbalanced and balanced outputs.

The weak spot are batteries that are not modular.

Also, there is no word about the AK Connect app which looks outdated and different compared to player UI. For me, good remote control Android app is absolutely essential.

 

[Palpatine79]

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

At least few people heard this new Acro and they like it

 

[chronograf86]

At least few people heard this new Acro and they like it

I'm really hoping that DAC section will be better than Hugo2 and iBasso 300 Max or future chord product that will be announced(it seems Mojo V2) at the end of this month. Looking for portable solution for D9200 headphones.

 

[OCC7N]

Is it possible to detach the DAP?

 

[Nostoi]

Is it possible to detach the DAP?

No, because it's not a DAP.

 

[OCC7N]

No, because it's not a DAP.

Then I totally do not understand the design. How is this possible in the todays standard. To get away with this type of design?

They should just have made a dock for iOS/Android devices.

Wow Im speechless.

 

[Nostoi]

Then I totally do not understand the design. How is this possible in the todays standard. To get away with this type of design?

They should just have made a dock for iOS/Android devices.

Wow Im speechless.

You'll have to ask Astell&Kern themselves.

But I do agree that the design language and marketing strategy are confusing/confused. It's the AK equivalent of the DMP-Z1, which also has a confused design language, hence its "niche" place in the transportable world.

 

[OCC7N]

You'll have to ask Astell&Kern themselves.

But I do agree that the design language and marketing strategy are confusing/confused. It's the AK equivalent of the DMP-Z1, which also has a confused design language, hence its "niche" place in the transportable world.

Imagine that you go to your local HIFI shop and you see this thing. No one is around, the worker is busy and didnt leave a notice on the device. Whats the first thing you would try?

EDIT: Me? .... Try to see if it actually was able to disconnet from "dock"

 

[Lumithium]

Imagine that you go to your local HIFI shop and you see this thing. No one is around, the worker is busy and didnt leave a notice on the device. Whats the first thing you would try?

Me? .... Disconnect it from the "dock"

You will need quite the force to "disconnect it" and you better bring some cash with you if you end up doing it.

 

[OCC7N]

You will need quite the force to "disconnect it" and you better bring some cash with you if you end up doing it.

Hehe....I didnt mean use force(post edited), but its my instinct, if I see things like this. Its obviously "designed" that way, it leads the customer that way. Ill bet everybody that sees this product, will think. "That thing is detachable"

 

[TheDuke990]

Hi, I have same questions and maybe someone is able to answer.
It is possible to use streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, etc via WIFI ? Or is it necessary to use an external source (e.g. PC). If I have to use an external source, how can I control the unit ? Via touch screen or via PC. Maybe my questions are stupid but I have no clue what features will be provided by ACRO1000.
Thank you