Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 Carriable Headphone Amp

[JasonNYC]

Could I take this thing on a plane with no issue?

I'm guessing yes, but then again I'm not sure how big the internal battery is and whether it breaches flight policy limits.

Probably overthinking this, but I'd love a confirmation before trying to take this DAP to Dallas.

Yes, the battery is 8,400mAH. I have carried it on a plane in my carry-on many times between shows. Never had an issue.

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

Does anyone know what the EQ frequencies numbers are for the stock EQ setting when you turn it on? The EQ reduces the volume, but what does the stock EQ add or take away from the sound when not in EQ?

 

[SteffSergeant]

Hey everyone,

may I ask, is it possible to show the Album Cover, when my Acro gets a digital signal via USB, Coax or Optical?

 

[SteffSergeant]

Hey everyone,

may I ask, is it possible to show the Album Cover, when my Acro gets a digital signal via USB, Coax or Optical?

@JasonNYC

 

[plasma92mz]

Does anyone know what the EQ frequencies numbers are for the stock EQ setting when you turn it on? The EQ reduces the volume, but what does the stock EQ add or take away from the sound when not in EQ?

hey please check this.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-astell-kern-ca1000t-impressions-thread.967483/post-18403106

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

Hey everyone,

I’ve noticed an issue with my CA1000 when connecting it to my Samsung S24 Ultra via the USB-C data/audio cable. When there's no music playing, or when I pause a track, I experience a noticeable hiss in the background. I want to watch Netflix in the best audio quality.

Is this behavior typical, or is there something I can do to eliminate the hiss when using this connection method?

It only occurs when connected this way, so any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wcrespo178]

I’m curious, does anyone have a positive RCA-out experience with this DAP? Would love to know which amps played nicely with it as my WA7 (3rd gen) does not.

 

[Jackpot77]

I’m curious, does anyone have a positive RCA-out experience with this DAP? Would love to know which amps played nicely with it as my WA7 (3rd gen) does not.

Have run mine into a SMSL HO100 amp and a Marshall Stanmore (I think) powered speaker with RCA in, and both sounded fine to me. The HO100 added nothing in terms of quality or power given I mainly use easy to drive IEMs and headphones, so was hapoy to just use the normal balanced PO from the CA1000 instead.

Small sample size, but hopen that helps? I've heard multiple people mention the CA1000 pairing fantastically with the A&K PA10, too.

 

[Halimj7]

Have run mine into a SMSL HO100 amp and a Marshall Stanmore (I think) powered speaker with RCA in, and both sounded fine to me. The HO100 added nothing in terms of quality or power given I mainly use easy to drive IEMs and headphones, so was hapoy to just use the normal balanced PO from the CA1000 instead.

Small sample size, but hopen that helps? I've heard multiple people mention the CA1000 pairing fantastically with the A&K PA10, too.

 

[Halimj7]

Has anyone compared this to the tube version? I’m interested in the solid state sound quality. For example are they the same? Thanks.

 

[dreamps]

Hey everyone,

I’ve noticed an issue with my CA1000 when connecting it to my Samsung S24 Ultra via the USB-C data/audio cable. When there's no music playing, or when I pause a track, I experience a noticeable hiss in the background. I want to watch Netflix in the best audio quality.

Is this behavior typical, or is there something I can do to eliminate the hiss when using this connection method?

It only occurs when connected this way, so any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

For the life of me, I can't get mine to even work with my s24 ultra with the samsung usb c to c cable. Sometimes the usb button will appear on the ca and I can click it again to make it convert to dac mode. Most of the time nothing happens when I plug in a cable.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[wcrespo178]

Has anyone compared this to the tube version? I’m interested in the solid state sound quality. For example are they the same? Thanks.

I was able to compare my CA1000 to its newer "tube version" at CanJam Dallas, albeit briefly. The immediate difference wasn't night and day for me, and for that reason alone, I'm completely fine with staying put.

Also, I bet the chances of needing repairs in the future are lower with the solid state version.

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

For the life of me, I can't get mine to even work with my s24 ultra with the samsung usb c to c cable. Sometimes the usb button will appear on the ca and I can click it again to make it convert to dac mode. Most of the time nothing happens when I plug in a cable.

What am I doing wrong?

Try another new cable first and let me know.

 

[Makiro]

Has the firmware for this device been updated recently? I'm noticing that my unit will auto power off after being idle for 15min or so. I've never seen it do that in the past. I am worried there might be a battery issue or something.

 

[1kHz]

For the life of me, I can't get mine to even work with my s24 ultra with the samsung usb c to c cable. Sometimes the usb button will appear on the ca and I can click it again to make it convert to dac mode. Most of the time nothing happens when I plug in a cable.

What am I doing wrong?

Works with Samsung s25 and Samsung cable. Pull down from top on Astell and in the quick selection circles there should be a USB circle, click on it to change to Dac mode. I am using USB Audio Player App on phone. Try another cable or flip it. I have had issues with some samsung cables.