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Astell & Kern AK300 Digital Music & Media Player - $899
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$899 Astell & Kern AK300 Digital Music & Media PlayerThe AK 300 is the little sister of the AK380 and AK320 music players. This music player has some of the best features of the other AK300 series music players, but at a more reasonable price.
Main Features:
- AK4490's Single DAC-DAC
- DSD-to-PCM Playback
- Parametric EQ with 20bands 0.01dB
- 200 Femto Second VCXO Reference Clock
- Exceptional Expandability
- DLNA-based AK Connect App and Metal Touch Sensor Home Button
Compare AK300 Series
| AK300 | AK320 | AK380 |
| PCM | 24bit 192kHz Bit to Bit | 24bit 192kHz Bit to Bit | 32bit 384kHz Bit to Bit |
| DSD | DSD to PCM | DSD to PCM | Native DSD Playback |
| DSD64/128 → PCM 24bit 176kHz | DSD64/128 → PCM 24bit 176kHz | DSD 2.8MHz (DSD 64) / DSD 5.6MHz (DSD 128) / DSD 11.2MHz (DSD 256) |
| DAC | AK4490 x1 (Single DAC) | AK4490 x2 (Dual DAC) | AK4490 x2 (Dual DAC) |
| PEQ | Support | Support | Support |
| Femto Clock | Support | Support | Support |
| USB DAC | Max 24bit 96kHz (UAC 1.0) | Max 24bit 96kHz (UAC 1.0) | Max 32bit 384kHz / DSD 11.2MHz (UAC 2.0) |
Built-in Memory | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
24bit 192kHz bit to bit Playback
AK300 is capable of bit-to-bit playback up to 24bit, 192kHz.32bit audio is downsampled using a sample-rate converter (SRC). In addition, DSD 64/128 can be played back via conversion to PCM.
- 32bit, 384kHz is downsampled to 24bit, 192kHz, and 32bit, 352kHz is downsampled to 24bit, 176kHz for playback.
- DSD 64/128 is converted via DSD-to-PCM to PCM 24bit, 176kHz for playback.
32bit SRC by the AK300
DSD-to-PCM Conversion by the AK300
PEQ (Parametric EQ)
A parametric equalizer (PEQ*1) was implemented in the AK380 to deliver detailed adjustment of the original sound, and an audio digital signal processor (DSP) was added to aid in this process.This frees up CPU cycles previously needed for calculating graphic equalizers (GEQ), allowing more detailed and accurate calculations via the dedicated DSP.
The audio DSP expands the existing 10-band, ±0.5 dB graphic equalizer (GEQ*2) to 20-band, ±0.01 dB to more precisely adjust the frequency and gain (dB) as well as more accurately specifying the frequency range via Q value adjustments.
The AK300's PEQ Playback Using Audio DSP
The other Products GEQ Playback Using Audio DSP
AK300 20-band PEQ and AK100 Ⅱ 10-band GEQ Frequency Values
What is Parametric Equalization (PEQ*1)?
Parametric equalization refers to the ability to increase or decrease the volume within the Q value range. A Q value is a frequency range relative to a selected frequency. The frequency range decreases when the Q value increases and vice versa.
What is Graphic Equalization (GEQ*2)?
Graphic equalization divides the audible frequency register into several registers and increases or decreases the level of each register with a volume slider to adjust the respective frequency's characteristics. The switches of the volume slider are connected like a graph to visually determine the frequency characteristics, hence the name "graphic equalizer."
Femto Clock Delivers True Original Sound
Astell&Kern implemented a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) high-precision clock with a reference jitter value of 200 femto seconds*3.Femto clocks are commonly used in high-end audio systems, and the clock is measured in high-precision femtosecond units (one quadrillionth of a second).
What is VCXO?
A VCXO, or a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator, is a type of crystal oscillation device that creates oscillation frequencies. External environmental stimuli, which in this case mean voltage inputs, influence the frequency value. Adjustments to the voltage input tunes a precise frequency value.
What is Jitter?
Jitter refers to the undesired deviation in time that occurs in a periodic signal. In this case, jitter is the error that occurs in the reference clock required to perform the sampling in digital audio equipment.
By utilizing a femto clock, the AK300 is able to create a more accurate frequency value and make fine jitter corrections.
As a result, the AK300 faithfully reproduces analog sound closer than ever to the original source when transmitting a digital signal as an analog signal.
USB DAC
The AK300 supports USB DAC functionality.The AK300 can be connected to a PC or Mac via USB for use as a USB DAC that supports PCM/DSD.
When playing back music stored on a PC or Mac, the Dual-DAC is able to deliver richer audio of outstanding soundstage and resolution well beyond the limits of a built-in sound card.
- When using the AK300 as a USB DAC, its PEQ settings are not applied, and output up to 24bit, 96kHz is supported.
- DSD 64/128 is converted via DSD-to-PCM for playback.
AK Connect App
Astell&Kern has further enhanced DLNA functionality via the AK Connect app.Wireless networking DLNA (version 1.0) connects to a NAS or PC, and is easily controlled with a smartphone or tablet through AK Connect.
Source files on a PC or NAS can be freely transferred and streamed without the hassle of turning on the computer and physically connecting with a cable.
If on the same access point (AP) network, music files on a PC or NAS can be played back via DLNA.
DMP (Digital Media Player)
Finds a list of content on a media server for selection and playback.
DMC (Digital Media Controller)
Finds a list of content on a media server and establishes a connection to a playback-capable device (renderer). By default, a DMC establishes a connection between a media server and media renderer and controls content playback-related operations.
DMS (Digital Media Server = Network Server)
Actually stores the media content to be shared. When connected to a network, the DMS transmits/distributes the media content for other devices to stream or download
DMR (Digital Media Renderer = Network Player)
Connects to a media server via media controller for content playback.
Pressure-sensitive Metal Capacitive Touch
The AK300 features the same metal touch interface as the AK380 and AK320.
The Metal Touch functions as a home key and interfaces with the device via pressure-sensitive touches.
More Expandable Options
The AK300 can be expanded to a variety of devices through the micro-USB and balanced audio out ports located at the bottom of the product.It can be connected with the AMP as well as professional high-impedance headphones for high output and USB for data transfer and charging.
It can also be connected to the Cradle for balanced audio functionality as well as the CD-RIPPER to conveniently rip audio CDs.
Thank You.
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
Moon Audio
140 Iowa Lane
Suite 204
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