Astell & Kern Junior (AK Jr.) Impressions Thread

[Richsvt]

Was a little disappointed that it didn't came with some sort of case...

 

[Richsvt]

 

[goodvibes]

  What do you mean? DX90 & X5 are clear upgrades on AK100mk2 & Jr?

No, I actually slightly prefer my ak100mk2 to the DX90 etc. I think the JR competes well with those players but is different. It's an informative, neutral untweaky sort of thing it was meant to be. AK for the masses.

 

[goodvibes]

  I agree, if you already have an AK100 MK2 or AK120 and satisfied with the interface, the AK Jr is almost unnecessary.  However, one major difference that the Jr can do that trumps both 100/100MK2/120 is the support of DSD in DSF format, which the older ones can't do (DSD in DFF only.)

I suppose but none do it natively so no biggy, especially for me. I'm still a .wav king of guy. In fact, the FW I like best on the mk2 is sans DSD. That said, when I 1st received the 100mk2 it had the last FW in it and I also preferred that the DX90 I had at the time.

 

[philk34]

I will try with my HE-400i and HD700s. My walk around IEMs are the Senn in-ear Momentums and Xaomi Piston 2.

If it can drive a 150 Ohms HD700, it will sure drive my 100 Ohms SM64. Impatient to know. 

 

[DrSheep]

 
I for got to ask you.  Can you change the themes on it?

Not that I know of...
 

Just received mine and scanning my card (will add songs to internal memory later). 64 g took about 3 minutes. Charging now and will listen in a few. It was what I was expecting in form, slim and solid. Build quality is top notch. Super slim. I will try with my HE-400i and HD700s. My walk around IEMs are the Senn in-ear Momentums and Xaomi Piston 2.

Have an engagement to attend soon so won't get much time to listen. Will have more time tomorrow with my feedback.

FYI, just like the rest of the AK line up, you can listen while it is charging.

 

[mhoque]

  The going rate of a new AK120 now is actually around $600-$660 (~$800 now), and you can definitely get one used for that price.  Unless AK Connect works for the Jr., then the AK120 trumps it in storage and size, with slightly better SQ.  I wish I have heard the EL-8, so I can't comment on that, but in general the 120 and Jr tonal wise is more balanced but on the warm side.  Some might disagree, but the I think the sound stage of the Jr and DX90 are close enough that I consider it the same.  Bass wise it is less than the DX90, but this is a good thing as the DX90 can be a bit too powerful at some freq range if you are not careful (may need to EQ).  Trebles are much more rounded and smooth (less harsh) but not quite to the level of the 120.  My bottom line for you is that if you want to try AK now, then the AK Jr. is a good deal, but I do expect prices to hit around $450 in six months to a year.
 
BTW, on a side note, the EQ in the Jr is pretty worthless (5 band).  However, it has a "Pro EQ" setting that I am not sure what it does yet.

I looked around and found Ak100 for $599. i know that the impedance in ak100 is very high (20 ohms),can i use an amp to overcome that issue. I am asking because you have so many AK products.

 

[DrSheep]

I looked around and found Ak100 for $599. i know that the impedance in ak100 is very high (20 ohms),can i use an amp to overcome that issue. I am asking because you have so many AK products.

With an amp it is a less of an issue, as your headphones will have to match the impedance of the your amp and not the AK100.  However, you sill have to resolve the impedance matching between the AK100 and your amp, if it is analog.  This is why the AK100/120 still beat the Jr in this regard, as they both have optical out for digital DAC/AMP.  Look into the AK100/Audio Glove A1 combo if you have the means.

 

[estreeter]

OK - I have to tread carefully here as I was one of the first to dash out and buy the Chord Hugo, despite widespread derision based purely on the sticker price from people who had never heard it ..... I'm not looking to play class wars, simply sounding my Head-Fi colleagues out re their options. Up front, I havent heard a single AK product, so take this with a vat of salt. 
 
Given some of the queries here, particularly those around output power, I have to ask if DrSheep might be onto something, even if he did mangle GloveAudio  
 
http://centrance.com/products/gloveaudio-a1/
 
Those who dont currently own either of the AK models the A1 was designed for might question the VFM equation, but as someone without a dog in this particular fight I know how easy it is to go for the 'new and sexy' over something that might seem neither. If the form factor of the AK Jnr is a very high priority, clearly the prospect of having access to 64+128GB (per earlier claims in this thread) in such a small device is extremely attractive - if that is not the case, I have to play Devil's Advocate and ask how many here would seriously ask if the current iPod Touch or a smartphone could drive their fullsize orthos ? This has been an ongoing pattern since the days when the original Sansa Clip was widely touted as a superior option to many of its more expensive competitors, and the results can still be seen in some of the oder portable rig pics here on Head-Fi. We tell ourselves that expectations need to be managed, then ignore our own advice when a new toy is released  
 
DrSheep alluded to the A1's price and I admit that 600USD isn't chump change for most of us, but if you were looking to spend that kind of money simply to take ownership of the Jnr it's effectively money you've already set aside mentally - the rest is just a click away. I began to get an inkling of what portable audio means to some on Head-Fi when I saw how many were using the AK240 purely as a transport for the Hugo - a phenomenal amount of money for something that could disappear as quickly as the satchel it resided in. I've never heard the A1, but I respect John Darko's opinion even if he occasionally comes across as being a little too close to some in the industry. I have no particular preference for DSD over Redbook or 24/96, so the A1's Toslink limitations dont concern me - for some, that may well be a deal breaker.
 
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2014/09/glove-audio-a1-headphone-amplifier-dac-review/
 
Purely on paper, the combination of an AK 100 / AK 120 of whatever vintage with an A1 strikes me as a more versatile end result than the one-trick pony AK are offering with the Jnr. 
 
For those who don't currently have a portable source they're happy with - or have their hearts set on buying an AK product - by all means feel free to ignore my ponderings. I have no issue with 'new and sexy', but when an option that doesn't involve rubber bands and expensive interconnects presents itself, I cant help myself. Whichever option you choose, I hope it meets your expectations. Peace out. 

 

[DrSheep]

Very good points indeed.  Also, for $700 you can get the new CEntrance Skyn and A1 bundle from Indiegogo.
 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hifi-skyn-iphone-case-made-for-music#/story
 
So, for anyone that already owns the AK100/120 and looking into to the AK Jr., the A1 is a VERY good alternative at around the same price.  So if your priority is portability and improve UI, then the Jr is a no brainer, especially if you are coming from non-AK DAPs.  For anyone else, a used AK100 with the A1 will set you back about $1000, but you will get sound that is very close to the AK240.  For iPhone/iPod Touch users, I dare to say that the Skyn can rival the new AK380, but I will have to confirm this later.

 

[mhoque]

OK - I have to tread carefully here as I was one of the first to dash out and buy the Chord Hugo, despite widespread derision based purely on the sticker price from people who had never heard it ..... I'm not looking to play class wars, simply sounding my Head-Fi colleagues out re their options. Up front, I havent heard a single AK product, so take this with a vat of salt. 

Given some of the queries here, particularly those around output power, I have to ask if DrSheep might be onto something, even if he did mangle GloveAudio  

http://centrance.com/products/gloveaudio-a1/

Those who dont currently own either of the AK models the A1 was designed for might question the VFM equation, but as someone without a dog in this particular fight I know how easy it is to go for the 'new and sexy' over something that might seem neither. If the form factor of the AK Jnr is a very high priority, clearly the prospect of having access to 64+128GB (per earlier claims in this thread) in such a small device is extremely attractive - if that is not the case, I have to play Devil's Advocate and ask how many here would seriously ask if the current iPod Touch or a smartphone could drive their fullsize orthos ? This has been an ongoing pattern since the days when the original Sansa Clip was widely touted as a superior option to many of its more expensive competitors, and the results can still be seen in some of the oder portable rig pics here on Head-Fi. We tell ourselves that expectations need to be managed, then ignore our own advice when a new toy is released  

DrSheep alluded to the A1's price and I admit that 600USD isn't chump change for most of us, but if you were looking to spend that kind of money simply to take ownership of the Jnr it's effectively money you've already set aside mentally - the rest is just a click away. I began to get an inkling of what portable audio means to some on Head-Fi when I saw how many were using the AK240 purely as a transport for the Hugo - a phenomenal amount of money for something that could disappear as quickly as the satchel it resided in. I've never heard the A1, but I respect John Darko's opinion even if he occasionally comes across as being a little too close to some in the industry. I have no particular preference for DSD over Redbook or 24/96, so the A1's Toslink limitations dont concern me - for some, that may well be a deal breaker.

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2014/09/glove-audio-a1-headphone-amplifier-dac-review/

Purely on paper, the combination of an AK 100 / AK 120 of whatever vintage with an A1 strikes me as a more versatile end result than the one-trick pony AK are offering with the Jnr. 

For those who don't currently have a portable source they're happy with - or have their hearts set on buying an AK product - by all means feel free to ignore my ponderings. I have no issue with 'new and sexy', but when an option that doesn't involve rubber bands and expensive interconnects presents itself, I cant help myself. Whichever option you choose, I hope it meets your expectations. Peace out. 

Here on head-fi we generally talk about portable players and head phones. Do companies like pioneer, marantz, onkyo, provide any home solution with equal SQ like Ak, cowon p1, calyx m for the same or lower price point.

 

[estreeter]

Here on head-fi we generally talk about portable players and head phones. Do companies like pioneer, marantz, onkyo, provide any home solution with equal SQ like Ak, cowon p1, calyx m for the same or lower price point.

 
Not sure where you're going with this - the AudioGlove A1 is a 100% portable option produced by a boutique audio company (as is the Hugo FWIW) - but let's run with it. I accept that post count isnt everything, but I've been here since 2009 - give me a little credit for what we discuss on Head-Fi. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/f/5/headphone-amps-full-size
 
http://www.head-fi.org/f/7/dedicated-source-components
 
http://www.head-fi.org/f/113/high-end-audio-forum
 
I dont want to get into a 'portable vs desktop' debate here, but assuming that simply because the focus in this particular subforum is on portable gear, lets not assume that's the primary focus of everyone on Head-Fi. 

 

[mhoque]

It was just a curiosity that's all. Nothing else

 

[walkman666]

The Jr feels much more solid and just about half as thick vs the DX90, and interface wise it is MUCH easier to use.  My biggest problem with the DX90 in the past is that due to the use of the leather case, small icon sides, and colorful background, it was sometimes difficult to hit to the top left corner for return.  For the Jr everything is very clear and well defined, plus they overlay the background with a tint under the controls, making them much easier to read and use.

This reply is exactly what I was interested in learning about. Thanks so much drsheep!

 

[Photoman]

Not that I know of...

FYI, just like the rest of the AK line up, you can listen while it is charging.

can you change the name of the playlist via computer?