[Dyaems]

~1500usd. nice, i rather get another T51 =)

 

[96rubberduckys]

Quote:

Same chips used by Apple so every Apple product is on par with this but at a significantly lower price.

Not quite. The Wolfson chips were used in the iPod video (5/5.5G) and a few others before that, but you have to remember they were designed for portable devices.
(8758 in the iPod videos)
 
The 8740 used in this device, on the other hand, is more capable and often found in desktop dacs. Also, this thing has two of them.
 
The DAC chip itself is not everything too--some will even reason that a well designed implementation is more important.

 

[NicoCat]

Quote:

For the future DSD update will the playback be native or will the player convert to PCM.

 
AK120 has dual WM8470, which does not support DSD decoding (while WM8471 does).

 

[rjklein4470]

 

[zackzack]

$1200 for a portable player/DAC/Amp.
Really?

 

[Vinnie R.]

1300 Euro -  I wonder if that will make it > $1600 USD? 
 
And I don't see how native DSD can be done with WM8740.  Gotta put some WM8742's in there! 

 

[dtmhtk]

It says $1300 on engadget.

 

[Vinnie R.]

JmoonAK (from Astell & Kern) is quoted below from post 1 of this thread:
Quote:

The AK120 is available at some German retailers already at the price point of 1,299 Euros. No official launch date or pricing point to the US yet. Stay tuned for updates at our Facebook page and Twitter feed!

 
So who is correct?  

 

[dtmhtk]

One thing for sure is that which ever it is, it will still be astronomical for the average joe like myself.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Following the initial developments, staying for the show and expected inevitable wrath.

 

[cheznous]

Scary thing is that I am already contemplating getting one.
Price in UK seems to be around 1,100 / 1,200 pounds with some sites suggesting stock on 14th May.
Watch this space.

 

[Hutnicks]

Quote:

Not quite. The Wolfson chips were used in the iPod video (5/5.5G) and a few others before that, but you have to remember they were designed for portable devices.
(8758 in the iPod videos)
 
The 8740 used in this device, on the other hand, is more capable and often found in desktop dacs. Also, this thing has two of them.
 
The DAC chip itself is not everything too--some will even reason that a well designed implementation is more important.

 
Which begs the question................WHY?

 

[FatmanSize48]

Which begs the question................WHY?

+1

 

[lee730]

Quote:

~1500usd. nice, i rather get another T51 =)

lol that's your answer to everything .

 

[lee730]

Quote:

 
Which begs the question................WHY?

Because "moar" is better. Remember the Hifiman 901? .