[H20Fidelity]

I don't find ithe AK70 veiled in the mids at all. I find a great deal of clarity in the mids; I'm really enjoying it as both a DAP & USB DAC.

Yep, AK Jr isn't veiled either. I'm already using rather vibrant IEM with the AK300 and honestly, you turn up the volume and I strain to hear it's price in detail, like there's an excessive amount of smoothness. It even makes your ears a bit sore. At lower volumes it's quite a good unit, I understand it, but it's a bit of a pig at higher levels. I just thought that was life until I heard the AK JR today, now I'm really confused.

 

[haiku]

Yep, AK Jr isn't veiled either. I'm already using rather vibrant IEM with the AK300 and honestly, you turn up the volume and I strain to hear it's price in detail, like there's an excessive amount of smoothness. It even makes your ears a bit sore. At lower volumes it's quite a good unit, I understand it, but it's a bit of a pig at higher levels. I just thought that was life until I heard the AK JR today, now I'm really confused.

New toy syndrome I would say.

 

[H20Fidelity]

New toy syndrome I would say.

U wot mate.

I'll leave it a few days if the opinion remains we might say goodbye to my AK300, try the AK70, I've been thinking it for a while now. I really love it's looks, UI, build quality but...

 

[haiku]

U wot mate.

I'll leave it a few days if the opinion remains we might say goodbye to my AK300, try the AK70, I've been thinking it for a while now. I really love it's looks, UI, build quality but...

 

Sure, make someone else happy with it. 

 

[svetlyo]

Do you guys find the AK70 veiled in the mids at all? One issue I'm having with my AK300 is its quite warm, very warm around the mid-range which makes it sound veiled, dull, strained around the mids. I had an AK JR arrive today with my AK300 expectations in mind, personally I prefer the AK JR, I know it sounds crazy but that dullness around the AK300 mids drives me a bit nuts and opposite my preferences. Thinking of selling it and getting an AK70 instead.

I think the whole AK3XX series was marketed towards guys in their 50s or 60s that love their "analogue", velvety sound (besides, they don't hear much above 12-13KHz anyway). Turns out, with the right implementation the VERITA DACs (AKM 4490--) are ideal for that. Now, the AK Jr and AK70 are an attempt from AK to appeal to a much younger generation with disposable income - the "velvety sound" of their uncles wouldn't cut it in that case.  People like you, dear sir, that have a great experience with tons of gear - they sit outside such generational categorisations, irrelevant of their actual age may find the real fidelity on some unexpected places.

 

[H20Fidelity]

I think the whole AK3XX series was marketed towards guys in their 50s or 60s that love their "analogue", velvety sound (besides, they don't hear much above 12-13KHz anyway). Turns out, with the right implementation the VERITA DACs (AKM 4490--) are ideal for that. Now, the AK Jr and AK70 are an attempt from AK to appeal to a much younger generation with disposable income - the "velvety sound" of their uncles wouldn't cut it in that case.  People like you, dear sir, that have a great experience with tons of gear - they sit outside such generational categorisations, irrelevant of their actual age may find the real fidelity on some unexpected places.

Could be, I've always leaned for brighter energetic tonality, I understand warmth / analogue quality's, AK JR has a hint of this. Either my AK300 is a bit of a lemon compared to other units (I genuinely consider this) or it just takes those warmer tones too far. It's strange, when at low idling volumes I hear it's layering, separation, slightly rich sounding clarity, It's like when I lift its volume the sound labours, strains, you just end up with a very loud track pounding your ears, detail levels my DX90 can surpass.

I can demo another AK300 close, even swap it over as it has warranty, but after my AK Jr wedding I'm more keen to demo AK70.

 

[svetlyo]

Either my AK300 is a bit of a lemon compared to other units

 
That's always a possibility.  Do try the AK70 though, I really think it sounds great. I'm enjoying it together with my IT03 regardless of its higher output impedance (~ 2‎Ω). The balanced output is half that though, I just got a balanced cable to try it.

 

[haiku]

  I think the whole AK3XX series was marketed towards guys in their 50s or 60s that love their "analogue", velvety sound (besides, they don't hear much above 12-13KHz anyway). Turns out, with the right implementation the VERITA DACs (AKM 4490--) are ideal for that. 

I consider myself a member of this group, even though I´m 45 years old. I grew up listening to "the good old analogue high end stuff", and when I started looking for a Dap, it was the AK300 with the AK380 amp that satisfied all I´ve ever wished for from a Digital Audio Player. People always complain about the price of AK gear, but let me tell you, you´d have to pay a lot more if you´d want to have this kind of SQ from a turntable or cd player.

 

[svetlyo]

  I consider myself a member of this group, even though I´m 45 years old. I grew up listening to "the good old analogue high end stuff", and when I started looking for a Dap, it was the AK300 with the AK380 amp that satisfied all I´ve ever wished for from a Digital Audio Player. People always complain about the price of AK gear, but let me tell you, you´d have to pay a lot more if you´d want to have this kind of SQ from a turntable or cd player.

That's exactly what I was saying - AK know their game well. Also, I meant no disrespect to anyone - I heard that stance about what they prefer and why from lots of people and it all makes sense.

 

[charlie0904]

ak70 has a more lively sound to me.
imo depending on what you listen, you may prefer one over another.

what svetlyo is very true.

 

[leaky74]

Anyone had an issue where the unit goes into a 'deep sleep/feeezes whilst not in use?

It takes several long presses of the power button to wake it and if it happens during charging the charging stops.

 

[TheoS53]

Anyone had an issue where the unit goes into a 'deep sleep/feeezes whilst not in use?

It takes several long presses of the power button to wake it and if it happens during charging the charging stops.

When i reviewed the AK70 I too faced this a few times 

 

[leaky74]

When i reviewed the AK70 I too faced this a few times 

Thanks, I've requested a replacement from Amazon; see how I get on with that.

 

[TheoS53]

Thanks, I've requested a replacement from Amazon; see how I get on with that.

It might very well be perfectly normal..it just didn't seem like any kind of intuitive function 

 

[leaky74]

It might very well be perfectly normal..it just didn't seem like any kind of intuitive function 

Mmm, you might be right. Last night I turned it off & put it on to charge. When I came to switch it on this morning it had frozen & took a bit of effort to wake and the battery was only 60% charged. I can't see what use case that satisfies?