[InfiniteGene]

What about release date?

some countries are mid May while others are June...

 

[Ritvik]

Any early impressions out as yet? Was about to pull the trigger on a DAP and now this! 

 

[justrest]

I just wait for review. If it is sounds like AK380 (just close), I'll definetly buy it.

 

[high-fidelity]

Marketing manager said ''AK320 has wider soundstage and more detailed sound.''

 

[Sound Eq]

  Marketing manager said ''AK320 has wider soundstage and more detailed sound.''

compared to what?
 
I am sure not to ak380

 

[AxelCloris]

  compared to what?
 
I am sure not to ak380

 
My assumption is the AK300.

 

[high-fidelity]

  compared to what?
 
I am sure not to ak380

 
Compared to AK300. 

 

[gr8soundz]

I have an AK Jr. and wouldn't mind getting the AK300 (if iRiver finally decide to start providing proper support). Beautiful design and, other than Jr., its the only newer AK model with a realistic price. Just found this that sums it up pretty well:
http://ohm-image.net/opinion/audiophile/astell-n-kern-wholesome-ak300
 
quote from the page:
"While succeeding the state-of-the-art DAC and scalability as applied to the AK380 and AK320, the latest model has improved accessibility by being priced at a reasonable level.

In other words, Astell & Kern's other 3xx series players are not priced in a sensible way, by sensible standards of judgement, or to a moderate or acceptable degree*."
 

 

[InfiniteGene]

I have an AK Jr. and wouldn't mind getting the AK300 (if iRiver finally decide to start providing proper support). Beautiful design and, other than Jr., its the only newer AK model with a realistic price. Just found this that sums it up pretty well:
http://ohm-image.net/opinion/audiophile/astell-n-kern-wholesome-ak300

quote from the page:
"While succeeding the state-of-the-art DAC and scalability as applied to the AK380 and AK320, the latest model has improved accessibility by being priced at a reasonable level.



[COLOR=4E3C3C]In other words, Astell & Kern's other 3xx series players are not priced in a sensible way, by sensible standards of judgement, or to a moderate or acceptable degree*."

 [/COLOR]

end of the day, it depends on what u are after... after all there are still much difference in terms of specs between ak320 and ak300. while the specs for ak320 and ak380 is closer other than design and material build, double storage, xmos chip for native DSD.

As for price, Astell & Kern has nv been reasonably priced since donkey years ago... but all my daps were from them for a simple reason. UI and design...

 

[The Life]

UI and designe, Astell & Kern has nv been reasonably priced since donkey years ago... but all my daps were from them for a simple reason. UI and design...

I cosign this wholeheartedly

 

[gordec]

I cosign this wholeheartedly

Cowon and AK are my favorite brands in terms of UI and design. IMO, all the full Android based DAPs suffer from UI because the companies haven't put in the effort to really make a seamless native audio app.

 

[bule1101]

  and lose the "balanced" out?

 
 

 
I still have my Onkyo DP-X1 for my balanced out DAP. I think one source is sufficient with the balanced out. Also, to me, Balanced out is a sales gimmick anyways. They make Single Ended sound just as good volume matched. IMO.

 
 

  As long as noise is controlled with enough output power, single end is totally fine.

Doesnt the AK300 have a balanced out as well?

 

[DrSheep]

 
Doesnt the AK300 have a balanced out as well?

Yes.

 

[high-fidelity]

Did anybody compare AK300 with AK120 (old) ?
 
 
I'm curious about, which one is better on sound?

 

[Virtu Fortuna]

I didn't see any reviews upon AK300 buddy. We have to wait for some time I suppose. Impressions will come in time