Astell & Kern AK70 MKII with dual DAC

[BigAund]

Anyone can compare the sound to the pioneer ad onkyo players? I'm looking for a replacement for my aging, and failing, ak120.

 

[fluffyberry]

Has anyone tried to see what the biggest sd card size you can use is? i know it says 'up to 200gb' but anyone tried popping in a 256gb or something like that?

 

[Giraku]

Has anyone tried to see what the biggest sd card size you can use is? i know it says 'up to 200gb' but anyone tried popping in a 256gb or something like that?

@JasonNYC said the following:

We've been testing the new 400GB cards with all of our players. No issues so far. We should release an official statement of support soon.

If 400GB card can be used, 256GB should not be a problem.

 

[Giraku]

Has anyone tried to see what the biggest sd card size you can use is? i know it says 'up to 200gb' but anyone tried popping in a 256gb or something like that?

I just tried my 256GB card on AK70Mk2. And it worked without any problem.

 

[LondonGecko]

Mk2 case update.... due between Oct 31 and Nov 15.

What the?!

 

[orifiel]

Anyone can compare the sound to the pioneer ad onkyo players? I'm looking for a replacement for my aging, and failing, ak120.

The sound of the AK70 IMO is a downgrade if you are an AK120 user, AK120 has more stereo image and more analog approach of the sound...
Because of this issue i sold my AK70, now i wonder if the AK70 MK2 it is really an upgrade of the sound of your AK120, if it sound similar to the AK70....i guess not

 

[BigAund]

Thanks. Its hard to find something as decent as the ak120 was in that size. I love it for the sound and the ergonomics. I was thinking of taking a downgrade just to keep the small size - in these days of super heavyweight daps, I want something top line but small in form. Does that exist?

The sound of the AK70 IMO is a downgrade if you are an AK120 user, AK120 has more stereo image and more analog approach of the sound...
Because of this issue i sold my AK70, now i wonder if the AK70 MK2 it is really an upgrade of the sound of your AK120, if it sound similar to the AK70....i guess not

 

[y2jdmbfan]

How does the Kann compare to the AK70 MK2?

 

[rschoi75]

The sound of the AK70 IMO is a downgrade if you are an AK120 user, AK120 has more stereo image and more analog approach of the sound...
Because of this issue i sold my AK70, now i wonder if the AK70 MK2 it is really an upgrade of the sound of your AK120, if it sound similar to the AK70....i guess not

The new AK70 MKII has dual Cirrus Logic CS4398 dac chips while the previous AK70 only has one. The AK120II has the same dual Cirrus Logic CS4398 dac chips. I think the AK70 MKII would be more of a side-grade vs a down grade when compared with the AK120II. The major difference being the AK70 MKII has a slightly higher output for balanced operation.

On a side note, used AK120II's are going for around the same price as the AK70 MKII is new. So it's going to be a hard choice.

 

[orifiel]

The new AK70 MKII has dual Cirrus Logic CS4398 dac chips while the previous AK70 only has one. The AK120II has the same dual Cirrus Logic CS4398 dac chips. I think the AK70 MKII would be more of a side-grade vs a down grade when compared with the AK120II. The major difference being the AK70 MKII has a slightly higher output for balanced operation.

On a side note, used AK120II's are going for around the same price as the AK70 MKII is new. So it's going to be a hard choice.

But...we talk about the original AK120...
To me...the sound of AK120 is more enjoyable than AK120II, a real upgrade is only the AK240SS...
If AK70 MK2 is near in sound to The Old AK120, then i’m IN

 

[darveniza]

I hope we could be able to offline Tidal so I can use it extensively when I have long flights

 

[JasonNYC]

Mk2 case update.... due between Oct 31 and Nov 15.

What the?!

I apologize for the delay. Our initial AK70 MK II units and cases sold out within a day or two of release in the UK. More are on the way and it may be in stock sooner than the end of this month.

 

[JasonNYC]

I hope we could be able to offline Tidal so I can use it extensively when I have long flights

Unfortunately we are prohibited from offering Tidal offline mode at this time due to Tidal's agreements with the record labels. Once we are given permission to allow offline mode, we will implement it on all of our players. We do not have a timeline for this as it is up to Tidal and the record labels to allow us this option.

 

[rschoi75]

But...we talk about the original AK120...
To me...the sound of AK120 is more enjoyable than AK120II, a real upgrade is only the AK240SS...
If AK70 MK2 is near in sound to The Old AK120, then i’m IN

My mistake. I didn't catch that you were discussing the original.

 

[darveniza]

Unfortunately we are prohibited from offering Tidal offline mode at this time due to Tidal's agreements with the record labels. Once we are given permission to allow offline mode, we will implement it on all of our players. We do not have a timeline for this as it is up to Tidal and the record labels to allow us this option.

Thanks Jason, this would be a fantastic feature to complement this unit . One of the great things of the offline options is that it really let's you discover music to buy later or even expand your favorites list in particular on the move (flights, trains and automobiles)