[RodgerDodge]

First post - Yay!

I ordered the AK70 MKII yesterday from AMP3 and apparently it's on its way. It's an upgrade from the AK Jr, so i'm hoping for big things!

I'm looking for some advice on IEMs to go with it. I'm currently using Soundmagic E80s with Comply foam tips. So I'm looking for a decent upgrade, but i'm not looking to spend crazy money - maybe £200 - £300. Which is crazy money in any other world, but not here! I'm happy to stick with unbalanced, but i'd like the option to go to a balanced cable in the future. Oh, and they need to be physically robust as they will get shoved in and out of my rucksack.

Any tips please?

 

[walterbriggs]

I forgive you.

Unfortunately, I just realized that neither the OPUS#2 or the AK70ii have a line out, a feature that even my budget (comparatively speaking) Hidizs dap had from a few years ago. It appears that some companies nowadays are including balanced output at the expense of the line out feature which is an unfortunate trend. Not everyone needs a line out but then not everyone needs a balanced out. Bravo to A&K for including it on the KANN. I think I may be able to live with a little warmth (muddiness?) in the low end.

I actually just received my OPUS#2 in the mail, and the manual does indeed indicate that it has a line out feature. Just fyi.

 

[akira281]

I actually just received my OPUS#2 in the mail, and the manual does indeed indicate that it has a line out feature. Just fyi.

Do you see a line out jack? This is what is listed on their website:

 

[Giraku]

My aging and beaten Fiio X5 first gen is getting really slow ever since I got it at launch, after holding off my upgrade for so long today I decided it is the day..

and pre-ordered the Fate/SN Heaven's Feel edition I loved the movie, and of course the purple.. man I couldn't resist, now the wait begins.. 3 weeks until I can get it

*Not my pics - from iriver's twitter*

Very nice!! How did you pre-order this special version? Do they ship it to US?

 

[JasonNYC]

I forgive you.

Unfortunately, I just realized that neither the OPUS#2 or the AK70ii have a line out, a feature that even my budget (comparatively speaking) Hidizs dap had from a few years ago. It appears that some companies nowadays are including balanced output at the expense of the line out feature which is an unfortunate trend. Not everyone needs a line out but then not everyone needs a balanced out. Bravo to A&K for including it on the KANN. I think I may be able to live with a little warmth (muddiness?) in the low end.

While the AK70 MK II does not have separate line out and headphone out like the AK KANN, the AK70 MK II does do line out. You would enable line out output via the settings menu.

 

[akira281]

While the AK70 MK II does not have separate line out and headphone out like the AK KANN, the AK70 MK II does do line out. You would enable line out output via the settings menu.

Thanks for the clarification Jason. Does this setting bypass the amplifier section? Does it work the same way on your higher end DAPs?

 

[walterbriggs]

Do you see a line out jack? This is what is listed on their website:

As with the AK70mkii, you can get a line out in settings. It's an optical line out (whatever that is) and hijacks (pun intended) the 3.5mm headphone port.

 

[akira281]

As with the AK70mkii, you can get a line out in settings. It's an optical line out (whatever that is) and hijacks (pun intended) the 3.5mm headphone port.

If I'm correct the optical out outputs the bit stream data not the analogue audio signal. It's not something that could be fed to an external amp which is something I want the option of doing.

 

[walterbriggs]

If I'm correct the optical out outputs the bit stream data not the analogue audio signal. It's not something that could be fed to an external amp which is something I want the option of doing.

 

[akira281]

Thanks for posting that. Since those 2 jacks are amplified this confirms to me that the output is going to be run through the internal amp.

I hope you enjoy your new DAP!

 

[havenlau]

Very nice!! How did you pre-order this special version? Do they ship it to US?

I am currently living in Tokyo so I just pre-ordered at one of the bic camera stores, I'm not sure if they do international shipping.. However there are many stores that are taking pre-orders so maybe one of them would ship to US? Also there are plenty of proxies in Hong Kong, but of course for a marked up price

The other thing I'm currently looking at is getting a balanced cable for my aurisonics asg 2.5.. Anyone has any suggestions?

 

[Giraku]

I am currently living in Tokyo so I just pre-ordered at one of the bic camera stores, I'm not sure if they do international shipping.. However there are many stores that are taking pre-orders so maybe one of them would ship to US? Also there are plenty of proxies in Hong Kong, but of course for a marked up price

Thank you, @havenlau, for the info. I already have a AK70mk2 but this coloring and design would be great for my daughter. I will look for a way to import...

 

[havenlau]

Thank you, @havenlau, for the info. I already have a AK70mk2 but this coloring and design would be great for my daughter. I will look for a way to import...

Model father right here!
Just as a side note the promotion runs until 11/17 and there are 1500 units, I'm not sure what the demand is but I'm sure your daughter will love it haha. best of luck with the import.

 

[LondonGecko]

I've really settled in to the sound of the Mk2 now. Suits the style of music I listen to, and my liking for detail and clarity.

It's a small upgrade, but for me it was worth the money.

 

[phillevy]

Just got mine earlier today - definite improvement over the mk 1 - bluetooth seems better as well with my B+W PX. Can anyone please answer - is there a screen protector already applied on both sides - wasn't certain?