[alphanumerix1]

New headphone Amp/Dac combo by Astell & Kern

No official realease date or specs yet but looks quite interesting.

 

[Wyd4]

Interesting.
Would look great on my desk at work.

 

[alphanumerix1]

Closer look, With a 2.5,3.5,6.5,xlr and speaker outs this is shaping up to be a very interesting dac/amp combo.

 

[Giraku]

I found this info on several website reporting the Canjam (kind of) in Japan happening right now.

It is designed to be placed on the left side so that users can use mouse on the right side. Headphone jacks are on the left side of the unit.

Here is the announced specs:
Design: Dual AK4490
Output level: Unbalanced 5Vrms, Balanced 10 Vrms
Amplifier output: 20W (4 ohm)
Supporting native DSD up to DSD256
PCM: Up to 32/384

Some more photos from av.watch.impress.co.jp

 

[alphanumerix1]

Thoughts and impression on how the unit felt to use and sound quality?

 

[Giraku]

Thoughts and impression on how the unit felt to use and sound quality?

I wish I could answer the questions. I found these images on the web as I described.

If there is anyone who experienced ACRO L1000, please chime in!!

 

[Giraku]

Now it's on Astell&Kern website. Still there is no price info yet, though...

https://www.astellnkern.com/eng/con...scg=CG213060&spos=0&tcg=&tpos=0&gcode=SC28930

 

[haiku]

Interesting, that they´re using the "old" AKM4490 Dacs for the amp. Imo understandable, as I like my AK380 with dual AKM4490 Dacs also more (at the moment) than my SP1000Cu with its dual AKM4497EQ.

 

[alphanumerix1]

Now it's on Astell&Kern website. Still there is no price info yet, though...

https://www.astellnkern.com/eng/con...scg=CG213060&spos=0&tcg=&tpos=0&gcode=SC28930

Word is around $900-1000usd

 

[Giraku]

Word is around $900-1000usd

That would be great. But I heard different opinions as well, which suggest a bit more.

 

[haiku]

Price is 899,- USD.

 

[Giraku]

Price is 899,- USD.

Thank you for the info, @haiku.
I also got the same number from one of the retailer.
Now, it's a good price, but I worry about overall quality of the amplifier section.
DAC chips are the same configuration as AK380, which can be relatively inexpensive. But still the price is kind of low to have good amplifier section because it covers not only HPs but also speakers.
We will see...

 

[haiku]

Thank you for the info, @haiku.
I also got the same number from one of the retailer.
Now, it's a good price, but I worry about overall quality of the amplifier section.
DAC chips are the same configuration as AK380, which can be relatively inexpensive. But still the price is kind of low to have good amplifier section because it covers not only HPs but also speakers.
We will see...

The ACRO will have enhanced versions of the AK4490 Dacs.

 

[Giraku]

The ACRO will have enhanced versions of the AK4490 Dacs.

Interesting. Do you have any further details about how they are enhanced?

 

[Iron-Buddha]

Just saw the spec sheet. So 15W out for the speakers? Does anyone have a recommendation for a small desktop speaker that would complement these?