[olddude]

Bigger font in the Home screen.  Settings icon moved to the pull-down screen.  Sounds exactly the same.

 

[Dopaminer]

  I got my used AK120II today and this thing is in pristine condition, if the screen protector wasn't a bit worn, I would have thought it was brand new. It currently has 1.12, should I upgrade to the latest? Any bad things in regards to the new firmware?

 
 
I`ve gone through all the firmware updates including the most recent, and while they have made some biggish changes, I have not found any of them to negative.  
 
The AKT5p custom EQ setting was introduced in a firmware update, so if you don`t have that with your current system it is worth getting, IMO.  

 

[Dopaminer]

By the way, apparently this is real, a new 512gb micro SD.  I wonder if the 120ii can use it. . . 
 
http://petapixel.com/2015/06/06/this-is-512gb-crammed-into-a-tiny-microsd-card-for-photographers/

 

[philk34]

A grand for a memory card 

 

[cmacsocial]

   
Turning on Line Out in the drop-down panel only activates the mode by placing the `Line Out` button on the volume screen - you then have to hit this Line Out on the volume screen to actually activate Line Out.  Because this function maxes the volume, the AK asks you to confirm this mode so as not to blow out your eardrums by mistake with headphones.  If you unplug a cable and plug in another, Line Out will be switched off automatically and the volume reset at whatever it was before Line Out was selected, so you have to once again manual toggle the Line Out button on the volume screen.  
 
Thank you! Can't believe I didn't think to do this. Instant jump in sound quality--all areas. 
 
There are lots of cable makers on Ebay or here on headfi who can do adaptors for AK`s 2.5 balanced output.  I have a 2.5 male to twin 3-pin XLR for listening to my AK through my balanced speaker amp.
 
I just bought a Soloist SL MKII. So, a cable that goes from the AK-100II's BAL OUT to the amp's RCA IN would be perfect, no? Can you point me to any cable makers here? #newbie
 
 

 

[PinkyPowers]

AK-100II's BAL OUT to the amp's RCA IN would be perfect, no?

No.

If you use Balanced Out to a Single-Ended Input you short the -L & -R lines together, which can result in frying your Astell&Kern player.

 

[karloil]

Wait wait....to confirm, using one of these - https://www.null-audio.com/collections/iem-headphone-cable/products/null-audio-2-5mm-balanced-to-3-5mm-se-converter-for-astell-kern-players will/may damage the unit?

 

[cmacsocial]

No.

If you use Balanced Out to a Single-Ended Input you short the -L & -R lines together, which can result in frying your Astell&Kern player.

Thank you...will avoid that. Regarding the adapter Karloil shows above, a dedicated BAL OUT-LINE IN cable provide better sound than using an adapter?

 

[philk34]

Wait wait....to confirm, using one of these - https://www.null-audio.com/collections/iem-headphone-cable/products/null-audio-2-5mm-balanced-to-3-5mm-se-converter-for-astell-kern-players will/may damage the unit?

No, it works just the opposite. Null-Audio converter you quoted allows you to use a balanced headphone through a single-ended output. Basically what does the splitter in any SE headphone.
 
I used one with my Linum Balanced on AK Jr which has ony SE output. No problem.
Now, I upgraded to AK100II and I can use directly balanced cable in balanced output.
 
If you want to use single-ended headphone, device on AK100II, use the 3.5mm SE output.

 

[uzi2]

  By the way, apparently this is real, a new 512gb micro SD.  I wonder if the 120ii can use it. . . 
 
http://petapixel.com/2015/06/06/this-is-512gb-crammed-into-a-tiny-microsd-card-for-photographers/

No reason why not as it is SDXC spec, but it does cost as much as the 120ii...

 

[The Life]

Turning on line-out on an AK player should provide no SQ differences vis-a-vis just raising the volume to 150.

 

[karloil]

Thanks for the clarification. I only have a Linum BAL cable and now can't use it with my other devices - thinking of getting this as suppose to getting another iem (cheaper alternative)

 

[Watagump]

Anyone have a static issue with the 2.5mm port on their AK? If I turn the volume down and move the cable I get static in the left channel. I have been talking to Ted about it, so not 100% sure if its the cable or the port. I am going to test some players at CanJam and narrow down the issue. I tried some contact cleaner to fix it, it didn't help.

 

[cmacsocial]

Turning on line-out on an AK player should provide no SQ differences vis-a-vis just raising the volume to 150.

Right, but turning on Line Out to engage the amp does improve the quality. That's what I noticed.

 

[fiascogarcia]

No.

If you use Balanced Out to a Single-Ended Input you short the -L & -R lines together, which can result in frying your Astell&Kern player.

Out of curiosity, if that's the case, what would this type of cable be used for?  Thanks!
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRRS-2-5mm-Balanced-TO-2-RCA-Male-Audio-Adapter-Cable-For-AK240-/121507475674?var=&hash=item1c4a68f0damjRh_zrObmcb4IMwOXQuPYg