Astell & Kern Junior (AK Jr.) Impressions Thread

[linux4ever]

Hi All,
 
I've been using the AK Jr for about 3.5 months now and I very much like it. The form factor is good. The sound quality is excellent. I've paired it with PSB M4U 4. It is excellent to my ears.
 
Regarding balanced out or lack of it in AK Jr:
 
"There’s no balanced line-out, but the device does have a workaround via a fixed max-volume function in the settings"

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mp3-player-reviews/astell-kern-ak-jr-review/#ixzz43miGdbFn 
 
Does anybody have any info on the above workaround? I'm on FW 1.02 and didn't see any such setting in the menu. Any help or pointers is appreciated.

 

[gr8soundz]

The Jr. does not have a balanced out. Don't know why the reviewer mentioned the word "balanced" and there is no work around for that.
 
What he meant was the Jr. has no dedicated line out (since the headphone jack is the ONLY output). To use it as a line out turn on the line out option in the settings menu. Then, as you adjust the volume, you will see a "line out" button appear on the screen. Touch it to go to max volume (easier than scrolling the volume wheel to max). Just make sure to touch it again and turn off max volume before reconnecting your headphones.
 

 

[nephilim32]

I'm already there:

That you are! I forgot you had both!
You and I are headphone brothers. Love the headphone stand as well and the after market cable you have for those MDR's.

 

[nuxos]

 
 
This is my portable combo  

 

[psweeting]

  Is there any other way to edit the meta info? Say, using dBpoweramp? I just tried ripping 'Home' from Rudimental and the name comes up with '1', which clearly isn't right.

I struggled with this same problem for a while. Check the tags and look for one called "Compilation". For some reason this takes precedence over Title on the Junior. Remove that entire tag (just deleting the 1 didn't work for me). It's an Extended tag so doesn't always show unless you search for it...

 

[Naut]

  Messaged their "marketing manager" on Facebook and got a response that they won't be releasing any new firmware (which contradicts what the previous contact with their official A&K Facebook says).  I tend to think they won't be updating it anyways other wise it would be a perfect DAP with its size and sound quality.

Hmm. Interesting.
 
Perhaps you could provide an image as an evidence so I can confront their FB page?
 
Indeed this is a bit disappointing. If that statement is true then AK JR II is very likely coming up soon. 

 

[mrback]

can the akjnr accept a 128gb micro sd card?

 

[clee290]

  can the akjnr accept a 128gb micro sd card?

Yep, it does.

 

[nephilim32]

This is my portable combo  

PM4U's ? Heard good things. Sort of on par with the bang and Olfssen HP6's and ONKYO's PM3's I believe. That's a fair pairing.
Have a great time. I'm loving just how simple a lot of our portable set ups are on here. AK jr can drive a fair amount of HD over ear cans.
Makes jumping on a subway or any kind of travel very easy.

 

[philk34]

I guess it is PM3, actually.

 

[nuxos]

Yep it's the PM-3

 

[gr8soundz]

I have the PM-3 as well. Not as fun as the Z7 (imo) but still another great combo; very compact together.
 

 

[diivoshin]

  Hmm. Interesting.
 
Perhaps you could provide an image as an evidence so I can confront their FB page?
 
Indeed this is a bit disappointing. If that statement is true then AK JR II is very likely coming up soon. 

 
You can see the screenshot here: http://i.imgur.com/DGTd7r1.png
 
It is from their other Facebook page run by their marketing manager.

 

[Rub-A-Dub]

Just found the AK Jr is selling for less than $360 here in Japan, including a nice leather case (usually sells separately for $45). I haven't looked at this player up until now (currently using AK100 Mk2), but is this a deal worth picking up? Looks really nice for the price!

 

[nuxos]

  Just found the AK Jr is selling for less than $360 here in Japan, including a nice leather case (usually sells separately for $45). I haven't looked at this player up until now (currently using AK100 Mk2), but is this a deal worth picking up? Looks really nice for the price!

Price seems fair to my eyes