Astell & Kern AK70 MKII with dual DAC

[LondonGecko]

Thanks for the feedback! Really makes me want to buy it now

The jump from the Jr to the 70 is noticeable (the HMI is better too). However, going from the unbalanced to the balanced output also made a difference as well.

Given a few people are upgrading there are some cheap AK70s about. That and a balanced headphone cable would be a nice upgrade.

 

[Joseph Lin]

I think I’ve narrowed my upgrade (from Cowon Plenue D) choices to this AK 70mkii or the Opus 2. Can anyone justify the extra $450 for the Opus? Or vice versa?

I have a Kann and a Opus#2. I rate Opus#2 > Kann and you can hear the differences, ie., not subtle differences. So it is up to you if these differences worth $450. To me, AK70 MKII is a cheap walk around, don't care DAP for DLNA + Bluetooth + car audio. To be honest, AK's DAP is the best DLNA streaming device.

 

[Ryland Johnson]

Hi all. May I ask if the MK11 is worth the extra £200 over the MK1? I know that's going to be subjective but please feel free to do so.

Secondly and excuse this newbie question but.....I had the Pioneer DAP, I enjoyed the UI and OS it was an Android based unit. With the AK can one use Google Chrome (YouTube)? I have around 200 favourites listed and use them daily, could this be achieved with the AK's?

Great community here and thanks for any advice you may offer.

Ryland

 

[NaiveSound]

I have a Kann and a Opus#2. I rate Opus#2 > Kann and you can hear the differences, ie., not subtle differences. So it is up to you if these differences worth $450. To me, AK70 MKII is a cheap walk around, don't care DAP for DLNA + Bluetooth + car audio. To be honest, AK's DAP is the best DLNA streaming device.

Where does Sony wm1za stack up in there? I wish opus has streaming. Tidal is about all I do,

 

[Joseph Lin]

Where does Sony wm1za stack up in there? I wish opus has streaming. Tidal is about all I do,

Even though I do not list all my DAPs but sorry I do not have a Sony WM1Za. Opus has streaming capabilities plus sideload apps except it is not as intuitive as AK daps. I did not try Tidal though.

 

[dougan]

Hi all. May I ask if the MK11 is worth the extra £200 over the MK1? I know that's going to be subjective but please feel free to do so.

Secondly and excuse this newbie question but.....I had the Pioneer DAP, I enjoyed the UI and OS it was an Android based unit. With the AK can one use Google Chrome (YouTube)? I have around 200 favourites listed and use them daily, could this be achieved with the AK's?

Great community here and thanks for any advice you may offer.

Ryland

I was thinking the same. Finally got a MK1 for £389 plus a free A&K case, could not justify the £210 price difference.

 

[walterbriggs]

I have a Kann and a Opus#2. I rate Opus#2 > Kann and you can hear the differences, ie., not subtle differences. So it is up to you if these differences worth $450. To me, AK70 MKII is a cheap walk around, don't care DAP for DLNA + Bluetooth + car audio. To be honest, AK's DAP is the best DLNA streaming device.

Thanks for the advice! That would have been my guess... you can really get lost reading all the reviews and specs!

 

[Ryland Johnson]

I was thinking the same. Finally got a MK1 for £389 plus a free A&K case, could not justify the £210 price difference.

Indeed in all things cost per value has to be a serious consideration.

Could you possibly answer my second question please. I know ZERO about A&K and am pondering how one listens to music on this device?
I like to have some on my SD card the rest I listen to via WiFi on YouTube. Can this be done on the A&K? If that is not possible it will not serve my purpose. I am taking it for granted there is blue-tooth and wireless headphones can be used? Many thanks.

Ryland

 

[dougan]

Indeed in all things cost per value has to be a serious consideration.

Could you possibly answer my second question please. I know ZERO about A&K and am pondering how one listens to music on this device?
I like to have some on my SD card the rest I listen to via WiFi on YouTube. Can this be done on the A&K? If that is not possible it will not serve my purpose. I am taking it for granted there is blue-tooth and wireless headphones can be used? Many thanks.

Ryland

I have only had it for a few days, but I took my micro SD card out of my Sony Hi-Res player and the A&K recognised all the music files with art work and played them with no problems.
Yes, it does have Wi-fi and Bluetooth! Sounds very good and has superb build quality.

Hope this helps!

Dougie

 

[Ryland Johnson]

I have only had it for a few days, but I took my micro SD card out of my Sony Hi-Res player and the A&K recognised all the music files with art work and played them with no problems.
Yes, it does have Wi-fi and Bluetooth! Sounds very good and has superb build quality.

Hope this helps!

Dougie

Hi Dougie, Thank you for the reply.

I understand the SD point. Thanks. What I cannot find information on is can the AK be used through its Android OS to play YouTube clips via chrome?
Example. I had, for a few days, the Pioneer DAP. It used the Android OS and I downloaded my chrome browser then was able to use my favourites bar to allow me access to my 200 favourite YouTube music clips.
I don't want just a player that only plays whats on an SD card. I truly need access to my YouTube music clips. I hope I am making sense, the world of DAP is new to me and as always there is a plethora of devices that all differ in functions. Its a minefield for a newbie in this area.
I understand A&K are Android based but have no idea whats available in the way of play back services?

Ryland

 

[dougan]

Hi Dougie, Thank you for the reply.

I understand the SD point. Thanks. What I cannot find information on is can the AK be used through its Android OS to play YouTube clips via chrome?
Example. I had, for a few days, the Pioneer DAP. It used the Android OS and I downloaded my chrome browser then was able to use my favourites bar to allow me access to my 200 favourite YouTube music clips.
I don't want just a player that only plays whats on an SD card. I truly need access to my YouTube music clips. I hope I am making sense, the world of DAP is new to me and as always there is a plethora of devices that all differ in functions. Its a minefield for a newbie in this area.
I understand A&K are Android based but have no idea whats available in the way of play back services?

Ryland

Sorry, cannot help you with that one!

 

[JasonNYC]

Hi Dougie, Thank you for the reply.

I understand the SD point. Thanks. What I cannot find information on is can the AK be used through its Android OS to play YouTube clips via chrome?
Example. I had, for a few days, the Pioneer DAP. It used the Android OS and I downloaded my chrome browser then was able to use my favourites bar to allow me access to my 200 favourite YouTube music clips.
I don't want just a player that only plays whats on an SD card. I truly need access to my YouTube music clips. I hope I am making sense, the world of DAP is new to me and as always there is a plethora of devices that all differ in functions. Its a minefield for a newbie in this area.
I understand A&K are Android based but have no idea whats available in the way of play back services?

Ryland

AK players run a customized version of Android OS. Tidal streaming is built in, but you cannot access YouTube or Chrome or the Google play store. The players are dedicated to audio playback only via internal memory, microSD card, Tidal streaming or over wifi if music is located on a computer or NAS on the same network via DLNA

 

[Ryland Johnson]

AK players run a customized version of Android OS. Tidal streaming is built in, bit you can out access YouTube or Chrome or the Google play store. The players are dedicated to audio playback only via internal memory, microSD card, Tidal streaming or over wifi if music is located on a computer or NAS on the same network via DLNA

Thank you so much for the reply. Great service from your company. One small problem. I am a newbie so much of your reply, though very helpful, is double Dutch......."But you can out access YouTube or Chrome or the Google play store." How? On the A&K? Helpppp.
I realise this must be like watching paint dry for you but I am truly interested in making a purchase and I am serious with my HiFi collection, been using home HiFi since the early 70's. It was a steep learning curve then but this DAP 'stuff' is amazingly complex.
It appears every brand has their own way of playing and formats differ etc. Its a minefield.

Okay.....I need a DAP that is user friendly, high quality and newbie proof. I NEED to be able to use YouTube as that appears to be the most comprehensive area I can listen to classical music. Spotify has some classical music but I understand the A&K doesn't support Spotify? I have more than 200 clips marked as favourites on my chrome browser and don't want to loose those. The Pioneer downloaded by favourites in seconds when I logged into my Chrome account.

I am really in the dark here. Hate being a nuisance but want and need to learn. If you could walk me through HOW I listen to music on the A&K I will buy one today...
My last DAP was the Pioneer XDP100R. I returned that because the sound quality was so minimal in comparison to my Samsung Galaxy Note 8 it just didn't justify the cost of carrying around a second device. I am hoping that the A&K will produce a greater difference in sound quality but I also need to be able to use it?

I am VERY impressed that personnel from A&K partake in this forum and also answer questions. Fabulous service. I want one!

Kind regards, Ryland

 

[orifiel]

Thank you so much for the reply. Great service from your company. One small problem. I am a newbie so much of your reply, though very helpful, is double Dutch......."But you can out access YouTube or Chrome or the Google play store." How? On the A&K? Helpppp.
I realise this must be like watching paint dry for you but I am truly interested in making a purchase and I am serious with my HiFi collection, been using home HiFi since the early 70's. It was a steep learning curve then but this DAP 'stuff' is amazingly complex.
It appears every brand has their own way of playing and formats differ etc. Its a minefield.

Okay.....I need a DAP that is user friendly, high quality and newbie proof. I NEED to be able to use YouTube as that appears to be the most comprehensive area I can listen to classical music. Spotify has some classical music but I understand the A&K doesn't support Spotify? I have more than 200 clips marked as favourites on my chrome browser and don't want to loose those. The Pioneer downloaded by favourites in seconds when I logged into my Chrome account.

You can’t access to google play store or crome or youtube directly from an AK player.
From your phone maybe if you use the AK in DAC mode

Sorry for the intrusion

 

[JasonNYC]

Thank you so much for the reply. Great service from your company. One small problem. I am a newbie so much of your reply, though very helpful, is double Dutch......."But you can out access YouTube or Chrome or the Google play store." How? On the A&K? Helpppp.
I realise this must be like watching paint dry for you but I am truly interested in making a purchase and I am serious with my HiFi collection, been using home HiFi since the early 70's. It was a steep learning curve then but this DAP 'stuff' is amazingly complex.
It appears every brand has their own way of playing and formats differ etc. Its a minefield.

Okay.....I need a DAP that is user friendly, high quality and newbie proof. I NEED to be able to use YouTube as that appears to be the most comprehensive area I can listen to classical music. Spotify has some classical music but I understand the A&K doesn't support Spotify? I have more than 200 clips marked as favourites on my chrome browser and don't want to loose those. The Pioneer downloaded by favourites in seconds when I logged into my Chrome account.

I am really in the dark here. Hate being a nuisance but want and need to learn. If you could walk me through HOW I listen to music on the A&K I will buy one today...
My last DAP was the Pioneer XDP100R. I returned that because the sound quality was so minimal in comparison to my Samsung Galaxy Note 8 it just didn't justify the cost of carrying around a second device. I am hoping that the A&K will produce a greater difference in sound quality but I also need to be able to use it?

I am VERY impressed that personnel from A&K partake in this forum and also answer questions. Fabulous service. I want one!

Kind regards, Ryland

Sorry, autocorrect. You CANNOT access YouTube, chrome, Spotify or Google Play store on AK players.