[The New Black]

Where did you hear that? Was that a review somewhere or a friend that has one?

 

[neuron]

Where did you hear that? Was that a review somewhere or a friend that has one?

I heard it from a dealer. However, I have yet to try it myself. I won't buy until I have tested it myself.

 

[Juan Virgo]

Yes, I prefer the sound of AK380 to the Ak380, toslink, Hugo. I have not had the chance to try if the AK380 plus AK380 amp is sufficient to drive my LCD-2. I heard that the AK380 amp is almost as powerful as desktop amp.

 
Did you work in AK ?
 
Very strange... the Hugo specs are much higher then AK380... SNR 140dB in Hugo vs 116dB in AK380 for example...
All the speculations about a much (!!!) "wider soundstage" and "greater clarity" in this level of (portable) sound is such a Bu*7*^876...
 
Just a new toy syndr

me..
 
 
More then that, the Hugo is 5v RMS and a current of 0.5A RMS, that is powerful then a 380 dedicated amp...

 

[neuron]

I don't work for AK, and have no tie at all with AK​
 
I love my Hugo setup with a Asus notebook running JRiver software. It is a big setup but I absolutely love the sound quality.
 
I have tried the AK240 as a standalone, and it didn't impress me at all compared to my big Hugo setup.
 
It all  changed when I tried the AK380. For example, when I listened to the track "Thriller" by Michaael Jackson on DSD, I noticed that the sound of the doors opening in the beginning are much wider, and clearer compared to the Hugo driven by Asus and Jriver. At first, I thought it was due to Hugo not able to play DSD natively. However, upon closer listening, it applies to non-DSD music too. When I play music with lots of low frequency, I am able to hear other instruments clearer with the AK380.
 
This is just my listening observations.

 

[MacedonianHero]

  Audiorvana is good !!  

 
So is Amarra.

 Both are slightly different...but I prefer the more natural Amarra 3.0.

 

[Juan Virgo]

 the track "Thriller" by Michaael Jackson on DSD, I noticed that the sound of the doors opening in the beginning are much wider, and clearer compared to the Hugo driven by Asus and Jriver.

 
Wide and clear doors opening sound ....
I usually made a test using bells, piano, clavier , voices... will try the doors now. This album sounds amazing.
 
Actually, I also didn't like the Hugo by USB sound...
The liquid 3D Hugo signature I only can find via optical input, Coax is also fine.
The direct sound from AK's , is much lovely then HUgo-USB .
 
But AK, using as a pc dac, also gives mediocre sound (100/120/240)
 
How is 380 as a strictly DAC ?

 

[sathyam]

I just ordered the AK380 Amp module. I should get it on Tuesday.

 

[bmichels]

I just ordered the AK380 Amp module. I should get it on Tuesday.

 
Good, we will finally be able to know if this Amp module is powerful enough or not.

 

[onlychild]

I just ordered the AK380 Amp module. I should get it on Tuesday.

Which headphones/IEMs are you going to use with it?

 

[sathyam]

Which headphones/IEMs are you going to use with it?

Layla, TH-900, and AKT5p, AKG 3003

 

[AnakChan]

   
Did you work in AK ?
 
Very strange... the Hugo specs are much higher then AK380... SNR 140dB in Hugo vs 116dB in AK380 for example...
All the speculations about a much (!!!) "wider soundstage" and "greater clarity" in this level of (portable) sound is such a Bu*7*^876...
 
Just a new toy syndr

me..
 
 
More then that, the Hugo is 5v RMS and a current of 0.5A RMS, that is powerful then a 380 dedicated amp...

Please respect other member's opinions.

 

[mathi8vadhanan]

 
More then that, the Hugo is 5v RMS and a current of 0.5A RMS, that is powerful then a 380 dedicated amp...

Not really. AK380 amp module is,

1. 8.1 VRMS high-gain balanced output
2. 4.1 VRMS unbalanced output

At $699, it's still in the price range of most portable balanced amps.

 

[goodvibes]

Don't know about better or worse but I'd be very surprised if they didn't sound different. FW differences should be audible via a DAC as those changes are before dig out so completely different units should have something unique about them.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

I'm looking forward to getting my paws on the 380 AMP to drive my Abyss headphones.
 

 

[Toom]

I'm looking forward to getting my paws on the 380 AMP to drive my Abyss headphones.

That's looks like a nice cheap low-profile rig for mowing the lawn or on the bus. I might get them as well, and a couple of spares of each.