[warrior1975]

I'd think AK would do "something" to hold back the AK120II. Needs more than the native DSD to justify the price tag and probably to protect some of their customers that dropped all that money on the 240. Like someone previously stated, I'm sure it won't last long as I'd imagine it's something in the software. my .02

 

[Solude]

The price difference is almost too little given the extra cost to AK for the XMOS, memory and materials used.  Just saying.

 

[AnakChan]

I think the model nomenclature is causing a lot of confusion and performance assumptions that may not be logical. Below are the key hardware differences of the AK models:

AK120 v AK100: dual WM8740, different AMP section, 3ohm v 22ohm OI

AK100 MK2 v AK100: 3ohm v 22ohm OI

AK240 v AK120: dual CS4398, XMOS, different AMP section, balanced output

AK240 v AK120II: XMOS

AK240 v AK100II: dual CS4398, XMOS

AK120II v AK100II: dual CS4398

You can see that, hardware wise, AK240, AK120II, and AK100II shared same amp and are much more closer with each other than say AK100 vs AK120, or AK120 vs AK240 where they have different AMP and DAC.

Personally I find AK120 a small improvement over AK100 and the AK240 a huge improvement over AK120. With AK100II and AK120II sharing much of the same internals of the AK240, I felt a bit troubled knowing I could probably have spent a lot less to get very similar sound of my AK240.

IMHO if you are getting an AK dap now, unless Wolfson type warmish sound, storage and/or appearance is important, AK100II is your best bet.

 
I find the bolded rather unusual. What earphones were you using? Assuming it's not a typo and that you truly meant you were comparing the AK120 to the original AK100, the difference shouldn't be small from a 3 ohm vs 22 ohm.

 

[flymetothemoon]

   
I find the bolded rather unusual. What earphones were you using? Assuming it's not a typo and that you truly meant you were comparing the AK120 to the original AK100, the difference shouldn't be small from a 3 ohm vs 22 ohm.

I've found the original Ak100 is very dull and lack of power (I was using 1Plus2 for the audition).

 

[warrenpchi]

  Expectation bias?  Using DSD instead of 16/44 FLAC?

 
Hmm, don't know about that.  I'll admit I looked at the specs for the new units, like everyone here, so my expectation was that they would all sound the same.  TBH, I was kind of surprised that they didn't. 

  Also, out of the seven test tracks I used, only one was DSD.  There was also on 24/96 track, four 16/44.1 tracks, and even a 320 Kbps MP3 track.

 

[Retrias]

I think the model nomenclature is causing a lot of confusion and performance assumptions that may not be logical. Below are the key hardware differences of the AK models:

AK120 v AK100: dual WM8740, different AMP section, 3ohm v 22ohm OI

AK100 MK2 v AK100: 3ohm v 22ohm OI

AK240 v AK120: dual CS4398, XMOS, different AMP section, balanced output

AK240 v AK120II: XMOS

AK240 v AK100II: dual CS4398, XMOS

AK120II v AK100II: dual CS4398

You can see that, hardware wise, AK240, AK120II, and AK100II shared same amp and are much more closer with each other than say AK100 vs AK120, or AK120 vs AK240 where they have different AMP and DAC.

Personally I find AK120 a small improvement over AK100 and the AK240 a huge improvement over AK120. With AK100II and AK120II sharing much of the same internals of the AK240, I felt a bit troubled knowing I could probably have spent a lot less to get very similar sound of my AK240.

IMHO if you are getting an AK dap now, unless Wolfson type warmish sound, storage and/or appearance is important, AK100II is your best bet.

thanks kkcc , your posts is always helpful , assuming that I didnt like the ak240 sound sig , would I more likely than not wouldnt like the ak100II and the ak120II? and would prefer the older versions , I do like my mk1 ak100

 

[Ultrainferno]

I just got my AK120 II. Yay!

 

[Sam Edwards]

Hey Warran,
I'm looking forward to your results.
 
Quote:

  Okay guys, @mikemercer and I have been putting the AK100 Mk2, AK120, AK100II, AK120II and AK240 through some intensive listening for the past two days in a quiet environment.  We quickly realized that T.H.E. Show was not ideal for this, so we asked Astell&Kern for loaners and they were kind enough to oblige.
 
In case you guys ever try something crazy like this, let me give you two tips:
 
1.  Comparative critical listening is best done with fresh ears.  You'll get better results by taking frequent breaks.
 
2.  Do NOT underestimate how long it can take to volume match five different units with all of the test tracks you are using.
 
That said, we have some pretty clear impressions now.  We'll be posting our findings tomorrow.  But before we do, I just wanted to throw out one quick thing:  AK240 owners need not be butthurt.  The AK240's SQ is (IMO) better than all of the others... both noticeably and consistently.
 
Thanks for being patient guys! 

 

 

[warrior1975]

Nice, hope you enjoy it!! Please share your impressions when you get a chance.

 

[doublea71]

The AK100II looks promising for the price imo. Of course, if I spend that much money on a dap, I may get a stiletto to the temple...

 

[Hapster]

I can't imagine why they chose that shape honestly, if the volume control was more recessed, it'd make sense, but other than making grabbing it from your pocket and not touching the screen? Who knows.

 

[1adam12]

According to the specs, the USB DAC on the AK100II and AK120II is limited to 24/96. Does this means it downsamples DSD to that over USB as well?

 

[Solude]

The OS does but yes.  The AK100/120II do not have the XMOS so no full usb audio support.  I am however told it is a better implementation than the original AK100/120 that could fall out of sync.

 

[1adam12]

Ah thanks. I didn't realize the XMOS was required for USB as well. Makes sense.

 

[Ultrainferno]

Nice, hope you enjoy it!! Please share your impressions when you get a chance.

 
It's going to be fun comparing to my AK240 for sure