[pekingduck]

It was announced at the same time with the AK100/120 II during the Munich HIFI show.
Seems to be equipped with SSD.
 
Picture source: http://www.phileweb.com/news/audio/201405/17/14463.html
 
 

 
 
 
 
According to http://audioclassic.blog.jp/archives/1003113616.html , the price could be 1,000,000 YEN, which is around USD $9858.... 

 

 

[bmichels]

soon to be available ? release date ?

 

[pekingduck]

No idea..can't even find it on A&K's website!

 

[isquirrel]

Should have more specific details on this in the next 2 weeks

 

[bmichels]

Any Review or listening impression yet ?

I am Expecialy interested in a listening comparaison against the AK240. Does it offer a Better SQ (apparently it used the Same DAC chips ! ) ? Stronger headphone amp ? ????

 

[bmichels]

Any body know if the AK500N is able to stream HiFi quality from QOBUZ like the AK240... ?
 
thanks

 

[isquirrel]

I ended up going with a dedicated server the Antipodes DX, I had a good look at the AK500N, loving its industrial design however it is really designed as an all in one solution to power your amps or headphones directly. Whereas the Antipodes is designed just to rip and deliver the best possible sound to your USB DAC.

 

[bmichels]

finaly a review here.  Quite good indeed !

 

[isquirrel]

Had a good look at this server at Addicted to Audio, unfortunately for my use there is no provision for USB digital out, or to play DSD over DOP so it is a dedicated music server/DAC in its own right. Fine if you are content with the on-board DAC.
 
I hear they may provide an option for USB digital output at some stage in the future.

 

[bmichels]

  Had a good look at this server at Addicted to Audio, unfortunately for my use there is no provision for USB digital out, or to play DSD over DOP so it is a dedicated music server/DAC in its own right. Fine if you are content with the on-board DAC.
 
I hear they may provide an option for USB digital output at some stage in the future.

OK, it does not have USB out   but... you can still use  COAX, Optical, AES/EBU or BNC. This is 4 ways to feed your DAC 
 
Anyway, have you been to hear it ?  did it sounded good ?  compared to the AK240 ? 
 
thanks

 

[isquirrel]

   
Damned, I did not realized that it does not have Digital out
 
Anyway, have you been to hear it ?  did it sounded good ?  compared to the AK240 ? 
 
thanks

Has the following connections, so you will only get highest 24/192 PCM digital out. Its possible that it may support higher res but depends on your DAC. With most high end DAC's offering their highest sample rate input from USB then this is not the solution for you unless you are happy with the inboard DAC's & conversion to DSD process.
 
Has the same DAC chips as the AK240.
 
As an all in one using its analog outs to your amp/s = great solution.
 

 

[Uncle Monty]

Picked up a 2nd hand AK500N A+P today

1st impressions are pretty mind-blowing

Walks all over my RWAK380 (which, supposedly, has better DACS)

Might even better my TT2 / MScaler combo

If anyone's about and wants to discuss the AK500 I'll check back....